EMDR vs. Brainspotting

When it comes to therapies designed to help people heal from emotional pain and trauma, two popular methods often come up: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting. Both are powerful techniques that can help you move past mental and emotional challenges, but they take very different approaches. Understanding these differences can help you figure out which one might be the best fit for you.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a structured therapy developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro. It uses guided eye movements or other types of repeated left-right stimulation to help people process difficult memories and reduce the emotional pain tied to them. EMDR follows a clear, step-by-step process to address past events, how they affect you now, and ways to manage future situations.

Key Features of EMDR:

• Uses guided movements, like following the therapist’s finger with your eyes

• Follows a set process with specific steps

• Focuses on identifying and working through specific memories

• Commonly used for PTSD, anxiety, and fears

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting, created by Dr. David Grand in 2003, takes a more flexible and client-led approach. This method identifies specific "brainspots," or eye positions, that connect to areas in your brain where emotional pain or stress is stored. By focusing on these spots, Brainspotting helps you work through the feelings and physical sensations tied to them, often leading to deep emotional healing.

Key Features of Brainspotting:

• Less structured and more adaptable to your needs

• You guide the session with the therapist providing support

• Focuses on what you feel in your body and emotions rather than just memories

• Used for trauma, anxiety, creative blocks, and even physical pain

Key Differences Between EMDR and Brainspotting

1. Structured vs. Flexible

EMDR is very structured, with a step-by-step process that the therapist guides you through. Brainspotting is more open and adaptable, allowing the session to flow based on what comes up for you in the moment.

2. Thinking vs. Feeling

EMDR often focuses on specific memories you can think about and reprocess. Brainspotting works more with emotions and physical sensations you feel in your body, even if you don’t have a clear memory tied to them.

3. Therapist’s Role

In EMDR, the therapist actively guides you through the steps. In Brainspotting, the therapist takes a more supportive, observing role, letting your brain and body lead the healing process.

4. What They Target

EMDR targets specific events or memories. Brainspotting can work on a broader range of issues, including feelings or physical sensations you may not fully understand but want to address.

Who Might Benefit More from EMDR?

EMDR could be a great choice if you:

• Have a specific memory or event you want to process, like a car accident or traumatic event

• Prefer a clear, step-by-step approach

• Want a method with lots of scientific research backing it

• Are comfortable talking about specific events in detail

Who Might Benefit More from Brainspotting?

Brainspotting may be better for you if you:

• Feel stuck even after trying other therapies

• Struggle with general feelings of anxiety, stress, or physical symptoms you can’t explain

• Prefer a more open, natural flow to your therapy sessions

• Want to address feelings or sensations in your body, not just thoughts

Real-Life Example: Choosing the Right Therapy

I know a woman who had lost her child. She had done EMDR for a couple of years and felt that she had cleared all of the trauma and was functioning as well as could ever be expected after losing a child. She decided to try Brainspotting and discovered that there were still some feelings she hadn’t fully processed. She was shocked by the clarity she gained during the session and realized how poorly she was actually doing. This life-changing insight motivated her to continue her healing journey, and she eventually became a Brainspotting trainer to help others experience the same profound transformation.

Making the Choice

Both EMDR and Brainspotting are powerful ways to heal and move forward. The right choice depends on what feels best for you and what you want to work on. A therapist trained in both methods can help you decide which one fits your needs.

If you’re curious about how Brainspotting could help you, book a free 30-minute Beyond Mindset Breakthrough Call today. Let’s find the best path to your healing and growth.

FAQ’s

• Can Brainspotting work if EMDR hasn’t helped?

  Yes. Many people find Brainspotting helpful for issues that don’t fully resolve with EMDR because it works on deeper feelings and body sensations.

• Which therapy works faster?

  It depends on the person and the issue. Some people see results quickly with either method, while others may need more sessions.

  Studies show that EMDR for serious trauma takes about 2-3x as many sessions as Brainspotting

• Can I use both therapies?

  Yes! Some therapists are trained in both methods and can use them together based on what works best for you.

• Which therapy is better for physical symptoms of stress or trauma?

  Brainspotting is often better for physical symptoms like tightness in your chest or stomach because it focuses on how emotions are stored in the body.