What is Brainspotting Like?

[@HolisticNurseMarie]

I’m definitely interested in learning more about brain spotting. Thanks for the video.

[@re-embodyingemotionalexper5040]

Very informative and clear. I appreciate the comparison and contrast with EMDR, as well as the specific distinction on naturalistic bottom-up processing. I've been reading about brainspotting, as some of the practices I've been using bear similarities, and those who have developed brainspotting have given really useful explanations of the neurological processes at play that have added quite a bit to the work done previously, as you mentioned, with explanations of EMDR and more somatically focused therapies. I especially appreciated your down-to-earth explanation of the experience for the client. Thank you for posting this, Krysta.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

So glad it helped!

[@re-embodyingemotionalexper5040]

Seriously, Krysta, straightforward and practical information like this is so helpful. Since seeing this I've learned a lot more about brainspotting and have Incorporated it into my practice.

[@christagrant8098]

Omg thank you. I couldn't find an EMDR therapist in my small town who was abuse verbally. After 9 months i found someone who doed brain spoting. Your video gave me hope. Thank you

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I'm so glad it helped!

[@sidraali5674]

I was totally unresponsive to EMDR even after 12-15 sessions

[@caronatkinson4475]

I have just signed up for Brainspotting training in London, fantastic commentary which has made me feel so excited about this way of working with my clients.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

How exciting!

[@hopepeabody3159]

I stumbled upon this video as I search for language and ways to organize my thoughts when helping clients understand BSP, as the model is still fairly new to me. Thank you, this was very helpful and have already shared this with a few people.

[@themetaforest]

Hi Krysta, I just found your channel searching for "what is brainspotting" - this is Brent Henrikson, I remember you from The Place Within, circa 2011. Was tickled to see you on KZbin. Just wanted to say hey!

[@HolisticNurseMarie]

I recently did EMDR with my therapist and although I knew it was a modality that I was drawn to, I was not prepared for how powerful of a healing tool it proved to be for me. I’ve been a nurse for 24 years, 17 of those years in psychiatric behavioral health nursing. I will be starting a PMHNP program next month and my intention is to provide trauma focused therapy with EMDR being on the forefront.

[@my08joy]

I just heard about this today at work and I LOVE it!! I am so excited to learn more and take the training sessions. I am an MFT student/trainee and I'm extremely interested in working with loss & grief, ptsd, and depression caused by complicated grief. Thank you for your videos, they are very informative and easy to follow! 😊

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I'm so glad it was helpful! Best wishes in your work with clients.

[@StarPathHealing]

I do a similar somatic experiencing process coupled with a neuro-energetic line of questions to help myself/client go within to do healing, usually integrate parts, solve conflicts, get over traumas etc and I think easier and deeper than emdr because in emdr there's not a whole lot of 'talking to yourself', and its lighter. I like finding my unconscious parts by way of where my body is feeling them and I knew eye movements and positions had a lot to do with memories and processing. - but I just heard about BrainSpotting and I'm very interested in it. I really appreciate your video, sort of the insider back office chat that was better than reading about it in a book, not that I don't like reading, but its also great to hear it from someone using it, so I really appreciate you. It's not easy getting in front of a camera, but I guess you can brainspot for that too if needed. =) I like combing things that work and so now I'm going to look more into this. I'd love to try a session, I've done emdr several times, so I really want to see how this is different. BTW-(Do you know anyone taking patients in the Sacto area?? Thanks, if not, that's ok.) GREAT VIDEO

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I'm really glad it's helpful! I do know of several Sacramento area therapists who do brainspotting but since I don't know their availability (and it's in high demand these days!) It is probably faster to go to brainspotting. org and see their list!

[@StarPathHealing]

@@KrystaDancyTherapy Thanks for reply. I ended up reading the book and trying the exercises and found my "Resource Spot" is looking Up to the Left. The same spot worked on my husband. We tried several times when we were upset to intentionally stare at a spot up and left while talking about the upset and it broke up the negative vibe and made it more matter-of-fact, less emotional and a few times made us start laughing. Its a very clever quick emotional regulation tool to have. Pretty easy to learn from the book too. I'm testing for my MFT license later this year, so maybe I'll get the training and use it in therapy at some point..

[@carolpridgeon9387]

Thank you so much. My therapist is going to use th is technique with me via zoom today and I am a little nervous. Very kind of you. Namaste'

[@carolina6683]

Thank you - I'm just about to start and this was really useful.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

So glad it helped!

[@megmathisen9072]

Hi Krysta, Thank you so much for this video. I found it so helpful. I'm interested in finding a female therapist who does brainspotting within 60 miles of Santa Barbara and was wondering if you might have a recommendation or could direct me to the best way of finding an experienced practitioner. Either way, I appreciate your videos. : )

[@DjangobeatTV]

Personally, the silence needs to be learnt. That's where the deep processing goes. The release from other person's/therapist's interpretation is great. Almost, forget the therapist. It turns out, no intellectual intervention is required. Just their presence.

[@ladyhawke9127]

Thank you for making this primer, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am an EMDR therapist and want to train in Brainspotting after hearing such good results achieved in less time than with EMDR. Your explanation was concise and clear and thorough. Yes, you could’ve spoken a little bit slower for those with hearing issues but sounded fine to me. (Your hair and dress, very cute.)

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I'm so glad it helped!

[@ralfwashington1502]

Well said thanks

[@johnward8064]

Excellent!

[@erickiszely9317]

excellent synopsis. thank you!!

[@StephanWilmes]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@lessyaolyanahorny7837]

The reason why am asking is this brain spotting was done while the client was with their counselor on zoom. I believe that the counselor can't pick up when to monitor because they are not near enough to their client

[@solochekmusic]

Hello, I found your video very informative-and I do not think your voice sounds harsh as stated in the comment below. I had my first brainspotting session yesterday but the therapist bypassed using the binaural music because she thought it was unsanitary to use her headphones. Is this binaural stimulation necessary for it to be effective?

[@flyingJoe]

Very infomative, thanks

[@moonwolf29]

Hi, I just wanted to add a suggestion that you slow your speech down a bit. Not tons, but I think it would help especially for viewers encountering such subjects for the first time. Neurological processes & healing modalities which utilize them such as EMDR are a lot to take in & comprehend at first! I just recently started brainspotting work with my therapist, so I know what I speak of, lol. Best wishes.

[@pandastylearmy5938]

you could slow the replay down in the setting cog wheel icon.

[@ralfwashington1502]

No don't do it. We can slow it down. I hate the videos that go so slow it makes you feel slow. This was a good pace for me. Anyone who wants it slow can use the settings while the rest can enjoy a shorter video

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Thanks for the feedback. Not the first time I've heard that :) I'll work on it. In the meantime for anyone else who needs it- you can alter the playback speed on YT to be slower for you. Hope that helps!

[@queenofboundaries]

Would it be prudent to get trained in EMDR prior to Brainspotting or does it matter?

[@andrieahjohnson6171]

Dana Skaggs great question. I have a colleague that recently did phase 1 training in brain-spotting and she stated that you could start without EMDR training.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Good question! I get asked this by my interns a lot and here's my take: EMDR gives an excellent foundation. It is an older and more prescriptive technique (if taught by EMDRIA approved trainers) and therefore has far more evidence published about it. I did EMDR first and found it a good start. Brainspotting on the other hand is more free-flow, more client led. It doesn't require that you know EMDR to do Brainspotting. So my advice is dependent on what you have available to you, what you can afford and how comfortable you are with trauma/body work. EMDR can feel overly prescriptive but that is a nice clear structure. Brainspotting can feel too open ended but that means it's more flexible to your style. Both are excellent tools and will make a huge difference in your work. Hope that helps!

[@charmaynebruce6215]

I am totally deaf in my left ear. Is there any way to still do this? Cheers.

[@ralfwashington1502]

Yes sound is just one option......I think

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Traditionally brainspotting uses music. However if you connect with an EMDR trained clinician they can use handheld tappers (which vibrate) or eye movement. Because I'm trained in both, I have offered handheld tappers along with the static eye position of Brainspotting with great results! Most clinicians should have a creative work around if they know this up front!

[@flyoverthestars3112]

What are your sources for explain that it better efficiency with binaural sound ?

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I'm sorry I don't understand your question

[@lessyaolyanahorny7837]

What if an individual has such bad anxiety that they have a heart attack

[@lessyaolyanahorny7837]

Can a person have a heart attack and has someone had a heart attack while in a session of brain spotting

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I am not aware of any negative medical reactions to Brainspotting. I'm so sorry someone close to you experienced this.

[@lanavikadorothea1913]

This makes me hate my therapist for EMDR for transferring me to brain spotting so I’m here trying to see what it is and I just want MY therapist not this new person!

[@juliedickey1812]

Have you been a patient who received these techniques you talk about from the point of view of a client? If not you need to rethink how you refer you your videos.

[@Jackyoudiditagain]

I had my first session today, i wonder is it a treatment for a mild form of Asperges??

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

I don't know of any information on that. However, it does help those who have trauma-caused dissociation and this can include flattened affect. So while I doubt it has any impact on true Autism Spectrum Diagnoses- it could help someone with trauma caused flattened affect for sure!

[@robertwhite2449]

Sounds like binaural beats

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Yes! Binaural beats use the same knowledge that bilateral feedback is regulating to the nervous system. The difference is the therapist's training to utilize it for trauma healing.

[@teeduck]

I had 5 sessions, did nothing for me.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

That's too bad. I know it's not for everyone but it's also disapointing when you're hoping for change

[@sherischneider2672]

I like your videos but please consider changing or moving your Mike as it is causing a sort of harshness and feedback in your voice.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Thanks for the feedback! These videos are super old and were never intended for this format so I agree- some re-formatting caused audio distortions. I consider re-recording but at this point it gets so much traffic I can't bring myself to delete it. But I'm totally with you. No professional mic and that definitely caused issues!

[@MissTina62]

You talk too fast.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Thanks for the feedback. I've heard that before :) I'll try to slow it down for the future. In the meantime YT has a feature that allows you to alter the speed of playback so that should help!

[@BrillGirl82]

@@ralfwashington1502 that’s not nice; there are a variety of reasons people feel overwhelmed by fast talking. It does not mean that a person is dumb or “think too slowly.”

[@ralfwashington1502]

@@BrillGirl82 your right. Thanks for posting!

[@lonniewells2059]

New subject for me, mentioned by my therapist, very interested in doing it. Video good enough, but hair in eyes is annoying and distracting. Suggest a chat with your stylist. Bare shoulder dress too casual for the topic.

[@KrystaDancyTherapy]

Thanks for your feedback. As a therapist and not a profesional television personality my "stylist" (aka- me) will take your input under advisement. ;)

[@jaex9617]

🙄 This is not brainspotting. It's an eyeroll.

[@MrRaretunes]

Psychobabble .... Carnival trick hypnosis....1 million books sold,some new bs next year for some other publisher

[@aryasarke7491]

MrRaretunes Just because you fail to comprehend scientific terms and concepts doesn’t make it irrelevant.

[@calgal8785]

There is always one who disputes most everything they see. Doubt you have every seen anyone for help.

[@hugh19480915]

Brainspotting has been wonderful for people with old traumas, ranging from torture, childhood burns, abuse. One simple rule. Make sure the client has safe memories to fall back on, otherwise they can get overwhelmed by the intense emotion when they gaze at the "bad corner". I now use EMDR mainly to reinforce the safe memory (grandma's perfume, cake mix, newborn baby smell etc) before using brainspotting. What I love about brainspotting is that it works when there are no words. There are no words when an infant is terrified, there are no words when war veterans slowly come out of TBI coma and confusion and noises and needles and painful wounds - but all these are still in the body.