Key Takeaways
- Brainspotting is a therapy that helps people heal from trauma, stress, and addiction.
- It uses eye positions to find and release emotional pain that’s stored deep in the brain.
- This method can help people who feel stuck or haven’t gotten better with other types of therapy.
- Brainspotting is often used alongside talk therapy, group sessions, and other treatments.
- Virtue Recovery Killeen offers brainspotting as part of a personalized recovery program.
Introduction
Addiction is not just about drugs or alcohol. It’s often about unseen pain.
People who struggle with addiction may have deep emotional wounds. Some of these wounds come from past trauma. Others come from stress, loss, or feeling hopeless.
Many times, people don’t even know why they feel the way they do. That’s where brainspotting therapy can help.
Brainspotting is a powerful tool that helps people heal from the inside out. It goes beyond words and helps you reach the part of your brain where old pain is hiding.
In this article, we’ll explore what brainspotting is, how it works, and why it can make a big difference in addiction recovery.
What Is Brainspotting Therapy?
Brainspotting is a type of mind-body therapy. It was developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, a psychologist who worked with trauma survivors.
The idea is simple but powerful:
“Where you look affects how you feel.”
In a brainspotting session, a therapist helps you find a certain eye position that connects to something your brain wants to heal. This spot is called a brainspot.
When you focus on this spot, your brain and body begin to release emotions or memories—often without needing to talk about them out loud.
It’s like opening a hidden door inside your mind, allowing healing to begin.
How a Brainspotting Session Works
A trained therapist will guide the process gently and safely. Here’s what usually happens:
- You sit quietly with the therapist in a calm space.
- The therapist helps you find a brainspot using a pointer or light.
- You focus on that spot with your eyes, while noticing what you feel in your body or mind.
- You stay with those feelings, letting your brain work through them naturally.
- The session may be silent or involve light conversation, depending on your needs.
Many people say brainspotting helps them feel calmer, lighter, or more clear-headed—sometimes after just a few sessions.
Why Brainspotting Works for Addiction Treatment
Addiction is often a way to cope with pain that hasn’t been healed. People use substances to numb feelings like fear, sadness, or anger.
But numbing doesn’t solve the problem. It only pushes it down.
Brainspotting helps bring those feelings up in a safe way—so you can face them, process them, and move on.
It works especially well when addiction is linked to:
- Past trauma or abuse
- Grief or loss
- Anxiety or depression
- Low self-esteem or shame
Unlike talk therapy, brainspotting doesn’t require you to explain everything. Instead, it helps your brain do the healing work at its own pace.
Benefits of Brainspotting in Recovery
Brainspotting can support your recovery in powerful ways:
- Reduces cravings and anxiety
- Helps you feel more balanced and in control
- Heals deep emotional wounds
- Improves sleep and focus
- Restores connection between your mind and body
- Works well with other therapies like CBT, DBT, or 12-step programs
It’s not a quick fix. But it is a tool that can help you make lasting changes by healing the root of your pain.
Brainspotting as Part of a Personalized Treatment Plan
At Virtue Recovery Killeen, we know that no two people are alike. That’s why we use brainspotting as part of a custom treatment plan.
Your plan may include:
- Individual therapy using brainspotting
- Group therapy with others in recovery
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to manage thoughts and actions
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for emotional balance
- Trauma-informed care
- Family counseling
- Medication management, if needed
Our goal is to help you heal on every level—physical, emotional, and mental.
Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is especially helpful for people who:
- Struggle with drug or alcohol addiction
- Have tried other therapies but still feel stuck
- Have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect
- Feel overwhelmed by strong emotions
- Want a non-verbal approach to healing
- Have a dual diagnosis (addiction + mental health condition)
If any of this sounds like you or someone you love, brainspotting may be a good fit.
Conclusion: A New Path to Healing Starts Here
Addiction can feel like it’s taken over your life. But healing is possible.
Brainspotting is a powerful therapy that helps you face the pain behind addiction—and gently release it. You don’t have to explain everything. You don’t have to do it alone.
At Virtue Recovery Killeen, our caring team is trained in brainspotting and other therapies to help you build a life of peace, purpose, and sobriety.
Call us today at 866-843-0545 to learn how brainspotting and our full treatment program can support your recovery journey. Let’s take the first step together.
FAQs About Brainspotting Therapy for Addiction Treatment
What is brainspotting therapy in the context of addiction treatment?
Brainspotting therapy is a mental health treatment that focuses on identifying specific eye positions that correlate with unresolved trauma and emotional distress, helping individuals process trauma and overcome addiction.
How does brainspotting help in addiction recovery?
Brainspotting helps individuals address the root causes of addiction by allowing them to access and process unprocessed trauma during therapy sessions, leading to a deeper understanding of their mental health and emotional needs.
Can brainspotting be integrated with other therapies like dialectical behavioral therapy?
Yes, brainspotting can be integrated with other therapy modalities, including dialectical behavioral therapy, to enhance mental health treatment and provide a comprehensive approach to overcoming addiction.
What can I expect during brainspotting therapy sessions?
During brainspotting therapy sessions, a trained therapist will guide you to focus on a specific eye position while processing emotions and memories related to trauma and addiction, facilitating deep emotional healing.
How effective is brainspotting for addiction treatment compared to traditional talk therapy?
Brainspotting therapy helps individuals access deeper emotional processing and may be more effective than traditional talk therapy for those dealing with trauma and addiction, as it targets the brain’s processing of traumatic experiences directly.
Is residential treatment necessary for brainspotting therapy?
While brainspotting therapy can be conducted in various settings, residential treatment may provide a supportive environment for individuals needing intensive therapy for trauma and addiction, enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment.
How can I find a treatment facility that offers brainspotting therapy?
You can search for a treatment center that specializes in brainspotting therapy by looking online for mental health treatment facilities, checking credentials, and reading reviews about their approach to addiction recovery.
What role does understanding brainspotting play in the recovery process?
Understanding brainspotting is crucial in the recovery process, as it empowers individuals to recognize how unresolved trauma contributes to their addiction, facilitating a more effective and customized treatment plan.
Can brainspotting therapy sessions be done remotely?
Yes, many therapists offer remote brainspotting therapy sessions, enabling individuals to engage in mental health treatment from the comfort of their homes while still receiving effective support in overcoming addiction.
Resources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570648
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030698771300114X
- About the Author
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Gigi Price holds licenses as a Master Social Worker and Clinical Drug Counselor. She completed her master’s degree in Social Work at Texas State University. Over the last decade, Gigi has been dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and treatment planning, resulting in positive, long-term outcomes for patients and their families. Her passion lies in creating a treatment environment where professionals collaborate to bring about positive change and provide a safe, trustworthy therapeutic experience. Patients can be confident in receiving top-quality care under her leadership.
In her role as the Clinical Director of Virtue Recovery Houston, Gigi conducted research to identify the most effective approaches for treating patients with acute mental health diagnoses, PTSD, and Substance Use Disorder. She then assembled a team of skilled clinicians who could offer various therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Exposure, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Gigi takes pride in overseeing the development and implementation of Virtue Houston’s Treatment Program, which includes two specialized therapeutic curricula tailored to the unique needs of individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, and PTSD.
