Brainspotting Therapy for the Black & LGBTQ+ Community in Dallas, Texas

Brainspotting Therapy Explained

Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy perhaps best described as a technique used by a trained and certified professional like me, focused on the connection between a person’s mind and their body.  An example of this connection is when the mind has anxious thoughts of making a mistake and being judged,  it’s common for the body’s heart to start racing, palms get sweaty, stomach tightens and trembling may occur.   What’s happening is a 3-step sequence is played out in milliseconds.

1. anxious thoughts (formed from memories). 
2. are now functioning as a neurophysiological source (something originating in the brain). 
3. triggering a physical stress response in the body.

Think of a neurophysiological source as also having GPS coordinates pinpointing the location of the eye and its directional gaze at the moment a traumatic event is experienced and burned into memory.  From this point and going forward, when the precise GPS Coordinates location (so to speak) or ‘brainspot’ of the eye and its directional gaze are revisited – it’s possible that a stress response can be triggered. 

Brainspotting works by: 

• Identifying neurophysiological sources or ‘brainspots’: These brainspots are specific eye positions that are believed to correlate with the neurophysiological sources of trauma. The type of trauma can range the full spectrum, from emotional to physical or psychological. During Brainspotting sessions I’ll guide you to focus on a specific topic or memory while moving your eyes around.  As this is taking place I am observing and noting all forms of communication, be it in your eye movement or position, subtle variations in your voice tone, or any of the variety of signals we all send expressing our emotions such as hyperventilating.   In sum we’ll engage in a conversational journey in effort to identify ‘brainspots’.

• Processing Brainspots: Once a brainspot has been identified, together we’ll process the pain or trauma (emotional or physical) associated with the specific spot. It’s only through identifying and unpacking these brainspots that you can begin to process and release the trauma that is stored in the body.  This process may involve engaging in talk therapy about the trauma and working through it, or you may be asked to focus on your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and memories – as they surface during our conversation.  This approach is what we call “Mindfulness” and plays a central role in Brainspotting by encouraging focused attention on the brainspot and the physical feelings, emotions, and thoughts that you’re experiencing with non-judgmental awareness of whatever emerges – yet while staying grounded in the “here and now” during the session.  

• Releasing  pain and or trauma:  The goal of Brainspotting is to help you release the trauma that is stored in the body thereby reducing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.  As noted this can be achieved through talk therapy, deep breathing, mindfulness, and bilateral stimulation.  Bilateral stimulation in Brainspotting uses 2 alternating inputs, such as left-right eye movement, sounds, or tapping, which in a way ‘nudges’ your brain and helps you work through difficult memories and release trauma. Research has shown gentle bi-lateral stimulation, like listening to alternating sounds or tapping on each side of your body, activates both the left and right sides of the brain thereby optimizing communication.  This is vital because trauma can often disrupt the flow of information between hemispheres of the brain. Consider how when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, thoughts easily get trapped in a cycle or dead-end. Bi-lateral stimulation helps break that cycle and continue pressing forward, allowing your brain to reprocess information and find new perspectives.  In a way Bilateral stimulation acts like a reset button and helps calm and balance your emotions during our sessions.  Remember, the brain has the ability to constantly change and adapt, reprocess traumatic experiences and create new, more positive associations.   Brainspotting leverages this ability of the brain to improve emotional regulation, discover new perspectives and realize lasting change in managing trauma.

Brainspotting operates on the understanding that “where you look affects how you feel,” suggesting that specific eye positions correlate with unconscious emotional experiences.  Let’s unpack that to get a clearer understanding of what’s going on. Picture your brain as a library storing individual and specific memories and emotions – very much like individual books.  Some books are happy, others sad, some are just plain and ordinary.

“Where You Look Affects How You Feel“

• “Where you look” is like flicking on a flashlight in the library with its spotlight focused on a specific shelf of books (memories and emotions).
• “Affects how you feel” means the books (memories and emotions, some happy, some sad) associated with where your eye position is focused and looking will start to influence your current emotional state.

Brainspotting is founded on the understanding that certain eye positions are linked to specific emotional experiences stored in your brain.  Thus when you look at a particular spot, you might unknowingly be “activating” or surfacing stored memory or emotion connected to that spot. Brainspotting says that your eye position isn’t random during stressful or traumatic moments.  Hence not only can distressing events be stored (memories) but so too can the precise eye position at the moment of the event.  When your gaze lands on that particular eye position again it could trigger all of the original feelings associated with that distressing event, even if you don’t consciously remember the event at that moment.

Brainspotting Therapy Sessions Here in Dallas, TX

Brainspotting is more focused on somatic feelings — what you feel physically in your body in terms of anxiety, stress, tension, and pain, and where in your body you feel it most intensely. Brainspotting understands eye movements can provide insight into our emotions and by paying attention to them with guided conversation, we can unlock a path towards ‘release’, emotional control and healing.  Brainspotting aims to locate, unpack (process) and release trapped trauma responsible for motion, consciousness, emotions, and learning.  

As a (Name Certification)  I help you find these “brainspots” (eye positions) where your eyes are naturally drawn when you think about an upsetting event and feel a stress response of some form within your body.  By holding your gaze on an identified brainspot while talking through a difficult issue, you can access those internal experiences and process the underlying emotions and memories more effectively.  In Brainspotting sessions it’s as if we’ve entered your personal library, spotted a specific “book” on a shelf to read, understand, and ultimately return, placing it back on the shelf in a way that’s less triggering, difficult and troubling going forward – allowing you to heal from the trauma.

Brainspotting involves a combination of eye positioning, mind-body awareness, and mindfulness exercises.  During a Brainspotting session, I use a pointer to guide your eye gaze in effort to locate “brainspots” – specific eye positions that trigger a shift in your emotional state or subtle physical bodily sensations related to the issue we’re talking about.  I will encourage you to maintain focus on the brainspot while mindfully observing your internal experience. This may involve noticing and allowing thoughts and feelings to arise without judgment, paying attention to bodily sensations, and staying present in the moment.  With my guidance throughout the process,  we’ll discover paths to regulate your emotions and navigate any intense experiences that may emerge. Healing can be unpredictable and Brainspotting encourages an organic process guided by your internal experiences, wherever they may lead.  Having said that, our sessions will be a safe space where any emotional distress will ultimately be smoothly guided to a state of calm and balance.  This describes our sessions here at my Dallas, TX practice – if you’re interested in receiving this therapy via telehealth, contact me.

How Brainspotting Therapy Can Help

Trauma: Brainspotting can allow for the release of trapped traumatic experiences, leading to a reduction in symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma (a series of overwhelming experiences that disrupt a child’s development and sense of safety in the world),  and development trauma (the impact of adverse experiences that occur during childhood).

Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Brainspotting may be helpful for those experiencing anxiety, panic disorders, depression, and mood disorders.  Brainspotting can access and process the underlying issues of emotional pain and distress, re-regulating the central nervous system allowing for a calmer sense of self with a greater capacity to manage emotional triggers.   Ultimately, Brainspotting can help in reducing feelings of being overwhelmed and hopelessness – or in other words reduce  depressive symptoms.

Behavioral and Attentional (Anger) Issues: Brainspotting has been used to address attention disorders, anger issues, and substance use disorders.  However please note I do not treat substance (alcohol / drugs) abuse or disorders.   I do though treat anger as Brainspotting allows for a deeper understanding of the origins of anger, the first step toward achieving emotional regulation and healthier coping mechanisms.  As the central nervous system becomes regulated or calmed,  anger outbursts subside and people adapt more controlled and composed responses to formerly triggering situations.

Physical and Somatic  (Bodily Sensations, Experiences, & Symptoms) Issues: Brainspotting may be beneficial for individuals experiencing chronic pain, stress-related illnesses, and other physical ailments.  It’s important to understand that Brainspotting doesn’t replace medical treatment for physical pain. However, it’s an effective treatment in addressing the emotional and somatic components of pain.  Pain involves both physical and emotional components that interact.

• Emotional aspects include fear, anger, sadness, anxiety, and depression, 
• Somatic components involve muscle tension, breathing changes, increased heart rate, and digestive issues.  

These two components combined can create a vicious cycle, where emotional distress worsens somatic or physical symptoms and vice versa.   Recognizing this interaction is essential for effective pain management, and Brainspotting effectively treats both the emotional and physical aspects of pain leading to greater relief and improved well-being.

Common Challenges: Brainspotting has also been used for phobias, memory problems, performance enhancement (e.g., athletic performance, public speaking), and to address unhealthy patterns or self-sabotage.  Brainspotting can help access and release the fear, insecurity, or negative beliefs driving these issues such as phobias, underperformance and or self-sabotage. This is largely due to how brainspotting fosters self-awareness, healthier coping mechanisms, and increased self-compassion, allowing for people to break free from any destructive cycles and create more fulfilling lives.

Self-Awareness: Brainspotting can help individuals improve their emotional regulation, increase self-awareness, and reduce negative thought patterns.  For example those that struggle with people-pleasing and setting boundaries commonly feel resentful and taken advantage of, but they can’t seem to say “no” to others.  Brainspotting might uncover a deep-seated fear of rejection or disapproval and the need for external validation such as feeling accepted.  During a session I help you tune into your bodily sensations and emotions empowering you to become more aware of your own internal signals and needs.   With increased self-awareness you’ll start to challenge old patterns, set healthy boundaries, and prioritize your own needs.

Brainspotting Therapy for the LGBTQ+ Community of Dallas, TX

Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic tool that can help people access and heal from deep-seated emotional wounds, leading to greater well-being and a more fulfilling life. With its focus on the mind-body connection, Brainspotting can help those who feel disconnected from their bodies due to societal pressures and also address complex trauma for those pained with repeated messages of rejection or shame.  Brainspotting, which also aims for emotional regulation, helps manage mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, while reducing the negative impact of stress and fostering self-acceptance. For this reason brainspotting can be particularly effective for the LGBTQ+ community as it addresses the unique challenges they often face, such as trauma from discrimination, internalized shame, and difficulty with self-acceptance. I specialize in Brainspotting and in doing so provide a safe and affirming space that allows you to process your experiences and develop a stronger sense of self. Here are 4 insightful points about how Brainspotting is well suited to serving the LGBTQ+ community:

Addressing Trauma: If you’re LGBTQ+ you are disproportionately likely to experience trauma including:

• Discrimination: Facing prejudice and discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and other areas of life.
• Hate crimes: Being targeted for violence or harassment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Rejection and isolation: Experiencing rejection from family, friends, or communities due to their identity.
• Internalized homophobia/transphobia: Internalizing negative societal messages about their identity, leading to shame, self-hatred, and mental health challenges.
• Childhood adversity: LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience bullying, family rejection, and homelessness, which can have lasting traumatic effects.

These experiences can lead to a range of mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression and more. Brainspotting can help to process and heal from these traumatic experiences, reducing their impact on your mental health and well-being.

Body-Centered Approach: Brainspotting focuses on the connection between the mind and body, recognizing that trauma is often stored physically. This can be especially helpful for LGBTQ+ individuals who may have experienced physical or sexual abuse, or who may feel disconnected from their bodies due to societal pressures and internalized shame. It’s estimated that at least 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime and it’s important to remember that these statistics likely underestimate the true prevalence of abuse, as many incidents go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of trust in authorities.

The impact of physical or sexual abuse can vary depending on factors like the severity and duration of the abuse, the age of the victim at the time and their relationship to the abuser.  While the effects can be long-lasting, healing and recovery is possible through Brainspotting therapy helping you process the trauma, develop coping skills, challenge negative beliefs, and improve your relationships.  Remember,  it’s never too late to reach out for help and doing so is a courageous step towards healing and reclaiming your life.

Non-Verbal Focus:  Much of my practice centers around talk therapy, which can be tremendously effective.  However Brainspotting allows for processing, unpacking and sorting through difficult matters without relying solely on verbal expression. This can be enormously helpful for those who struggle with articulating their experiences or who may feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics.

Trauma and emotional pain are often stored in the body and may be difficult to access through words alone.   This is because our conscious mind, in an effort to be protective, can block access to painful memories or emotions.  As a non-verbal therapy Brainspotting can bypass these defenses, allowing for a more direct path to healing.   In this way Brainspotting  complements traditional talk therapy, providing a unique pathway to healing and emotional growth.

Creating Safety: The therapist’s attunement and focus on creating a safe and affirming space is critical for LGBTQ people who may have experienced judgment or rejection in other therapeutic settings.  As I am part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I’m intimately experienced and versed in knowing how to compassionately understand and respond to your emotions and experiences with empathy and sensitivity.  

In our sessions you can be assured of open exploration of identity and experiences without fear of shame or invalidation.  My ‘attunement’ as a Brainspotting practitioner involves being fully present, guiding the conversation, picking up on subtle cues, and reflecting back on all you share, consciously or unconsciously through eye movement.  This creates a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel seen and understood, encouraging emotional processing, self-awareness, and ultimately, growth and change.

Brainspotting Therapy for the Black Community of Dallas, TX

Brainspotting can be a powerful therapeutic approach to effectively treating the unique issues common in the Black community.

Addressing Racial Trauma:  Systematic racism and discrimination inflict continuous harm on all of us over time and can easily lead to trauma from the constant exposure to prejudice and bias.  It all takes a toll on wellness resulting in hypervigilance, internalized racism, and emotional distress – none of which is healthy.  The cumulative impact of racial trauma can also be passed down through generations, perpetuating the cycle of harm to our well-being.  The term intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of trauma symptoms, behaviors, and coping mechanisms from one generation to the next.  Brainspotting can help release the grip of past experiences, including those inherited from previous generations by targeting and reprocessing the original traumatic events. Brainspotting can not only access and process the deep-seated emotional and physiological scars, during our sessions the brain can then begin to rewire itself, creating new neural pathways that support healing and resilience in the face of racial injustice.

Culturally Sensitive Approach:  Trust me, I understand the nuances of the Black experience and my cultural competence as a therapist could not be more insightful. My practice is a safe space to unpack the impact that racism and discrimination has had on your well being without fear of judgment or minimization.  In our sessions you can share your experiences and avoid re-traumatization, receive validation and empowerment as I can contextualize your experiences within broader social and cultural frameworks.  This often helps people recognize their struggles are not isolated incidents of or reflective of them individually but usually connected to larger systems of oppression.  This is important as it prevents misinterpretation of your experiences as somehow due to you personally and helps you develop coping skills going forward.  

Somatic Focus: Brainspotting’s emphasis on the mind-body connection acknowledges that trauma is held within the body. This is particularly relevant for Black people who may carry the weight of intergenerational trauma, passed down through generations.  Even without direct exposure to the original trauma, descendants of trauma may carry its burden in their bodies, manifesting as unexplained pain, chronic illness, or difficulty regulating emotions.  Intergenerational trauma is closely linked to somatic feelings, which are physical sensations and symptoms rooted in past experiences.  Addressing these physical manifestations through therapies like Brainspotting can help in breaking the cycle of intergenerational transmission and promoting healing.

Non-Verbal Processing: Brainspotting allows for processing and healing without relying solely on verbal expression. This can be beneficial for individuals who may find it difficult to articulate their experiences with racial trauma, or who may feel a sense of discomfort in traditional talk therapy settings.  Non-verbal processing of racial discrimination manifests through physical sensations like muscle tension, changes in breathing, and increased heart rate. Emotional expressions such as facial cues, changes in posture, and tears can also indicate underlying distress. Behavioral responses like withdrawal, avoidance, and defensiveness may emerge as we navigate through our conversation. All these non-verbal cues are often involuntary and reflect the body’s way of processing past trauma, highlighting the importance of sensitivity and understanding when discussing experiences of racial discrimination.