What Is Brainspotting Therapy? The Process and How It Works

Brainspotting is a neuroscience-informed therapy developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It is based on the principle that "where we look affects how we feel." By identifying specific eye positions linked to emotional activation in the brain’s limbic system, Brainspotting helps clients access and process deeply embedded traumatic memories and emotional pain that traditional talk therapy may not reach.

At Oakville Therapy by Counselling & Co., our trained Brainspotting therapists use this approach to help individuals heal from trauma, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and a wide range of concerns — often in fewer sessions than other modalities.

How Does Brainspotting Work?

A "brainspot" is a specific eye position that corresponds to emotional and physical activation related to a traumatic or distressing experience. During a session, the therapist guides the client to locate this eye position using a pointer while the client focuses on the associated body sensations.

The therapist acts as what Dr. Grand calls the "tail of the comet" — the client leads their own healing journey while the therapist provides attuned, supportive presence. This is sometimes referred to as the WAIT principle: Why Am I Talking? The therapist creates space for the brain and body to do their own processing.

What Does a Brainspotting Session Look Like?

A typical Brainspotting session follows a structured but client-led process:

• You identify a specific concern, memory, or emotional experience you want to work on
• Your therapist helps you locate where that issue sits physically in your body
• You rate your emotional and somatic activation on a scale of 1 to 10
• The therapist uses a pointer to help identify your brainspot — the eye position where activation is strongest
• You focus on that spot while your brain and body process the experience, with your therapist present and attuned throughout

What Can Brainspotting Help With?

Brainspotting has been shown to help with a wide range of concerns beyond trauma:

• PTSD and complex trauma (C-PTSD)
• Anxiety and panic
• Depression and emotional numbness
• Grief and loss
• Performance anxiety and creative blocks
• Physical symptoms connected to emotional distress
• Emotional dysregulation

Brainspotting vs. EMDR: What’s the Difference?

Both Brainspotting and EMDR are trauma therapies that use eye positions, but they work differently. EMDR has extensive randomized controlled trial support, while Brainspotting has a growing evidence base with promising clinical outcomes:

• Brainspotting uses a fixed eye position to access stored trauma; EMDR uses bilateral (side-to-side) eye movements
• Brainspotting emphasizes somatic (body-based) processing; EMDR incorporates more cognitive restructuring
• Brainspotting is often experienced as gentler and more client-led; EMDR follows a more structured protocol
• Both are effective — the best choice depends on your needs, preferences, and what feels right for you

Is Brainspotting Right for You?

Brainspotting may be a good fit if you experience frequent emotional triggers, have found traditional talk therapy helpful but feel stuck, or want a body-based approach to healing. It is particularly effective for people who struggle to put their experiences into words — because Brainspotting does not require extensive verbalization to be effective.

At Oakville Therapy, our Brainspotting therapists offer sessions in-person in Oakville and via secure virtual video across Ontario. Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss whether Brainspotting could be the right approach for you.