Therapy in person in Orange County & online across CA, MA, & OH
Brainspotting Therapy
You’ve been doing all the “right” things to heal—and still, something in your body feels tethered to the past. Like the impact of what you’ve been through lives deeper than words.
Maybe you…
Struggle to put the impact of trauma into language
Know something is there, but can’t quite name it
Find yourself intellectualizing or narrating, while still feeling disconnected from the emotion
Feel your pain mostly in your body (tightness, heaviness, numbness, aching)
Notice a sense of being stuck, revved up, or constantly on edge
Have found talk therapy helpful, but still feel like something is missing
Trauma and pain can be heavy to carry. If you’re longing for relief you can feel in your body, that makes sense.
Brainspotting can offer a path when talking alone isn’t enough—helping you access what your nervous system is still holding, gently and at your pace, so healing can feel less stagnant and more possible.
What is brainspotting therapy?
If you’ve felt like the impact of trauma lives deeper than words, like your body is still holding something that talking alone can’t reach, brainspotting may be a supportive next step.
Brainspotting is a trauma-informed therapy method that helps you process painful experiences and emotions by working with the brain and body together. It uses your visual field as a way to access what your nervous system is still carrying, especially when you don’t have language for it, or when talking about it keeps you feeling stuck.
Rather than relying only on insight and explanation, brainspotting can help you connect with the emotional and somatic layers of healing—gently, and at your pace.
How brainspotting therapy helps
Have you ever searched for a word and noticed your eyes naturally drift in a direction, almost like your body knows where to look to find it? Brainspotting works in a similar way.
We all have “brainspots”—points in our visual field that can connect to emotions, memories, and body sensations. Where we look can influence what we feel and what comes up. Together, we’ll find a spot in your visual field that feels connected to what you want to work on.
From there, your nervous system can begin to process what’s been held inside—often bringing relief, insight, and a sense of spaciousness over time.
My approach to brainspotting therapy
My approach is integrative. I use brainspotting as a tool, rather than a standalone approach, so we can support the full picture of what you’re carrying (mind, body, and emotional world). I’ll weave in other modalities as needed to help you feel supported, grounded, and not alone in the process.
Brainspotting is also client-led, which means your body sets the pace. I’ll provide structure, explain what to expect, and stay attuned as we go, but you lead the way.
And if brainspotting feels awkward at first, that’s okay. It’s different. I name that upfront, bring humanness into the room, and focus on making this feel safe and doable. Your comfort and autonomy matter to me. I’ll adjust, pause, or stop anytime you want.
I’m committed to offering a contained and secure space, where you can trust I’ll be with you throughout the process—and where you don’t have to do the hard parts alone.
What to expect
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I’ll ask you to bring headphones or earbuds so you can listen to bilateral stimulation music during the process. It gently alternates between ears and can support grounding and regulation as you process.
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You’ll be asked to bring one of the following:
a body sensation (tightness in your throat, a pit in your stomach)
an emotion
a memory
or a current struggle you want to process
Together, we’ll find a brainspot connected to what you brought in.
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I’ll encourage you to let your body respond in whatever way feels natural—tracking sensations like tension, tightness, heat, or shakiness, as well as moments of settling, neutrality, or calm. I may be quieter at times to support deeper processing, and I’ll check in periodically so you know I’m here and you’re not alone.
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We’ll debrief what you noticed and make sure you feel grounded enough to transition back into your day.
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Clients often report feeling lighter, clearer, or more connected to themselves—and sometimes noticing new insights or shifts in how they relate to what they’ve been carrying.
Brainspotting is rooted in the belief that your body holds wisdom—and that healing can unfold when we create safety, attunement, and space for your nervous system to process. If trusting your body feels scary, that makes sense. We will go slowly.
With support, steadiness, and your consent leading the way, it’s possible to rebuild trust in your body—and access the healing you deserve.
Brainspotting can help you…
Move through trauma even when the words don’t feel accessible
Release layers of stress and pain your nervous system has been holding
Feel more grounded and gentle with yourself as healing unfolds
Uncover what’s keeping you stuck and find a path forward that feels clearer
Let’s help you shift from feeling tethered to feeling freer—more clarity, more relief, more room inside.
Brainspotting Therapy-
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Brainspotting uses your visual field to help you access what your nervous system is still holding—especially the pieces that feel bigger than words. In a session, we’ll start by choosing a focus (an emotion, body sensation, memory, or current stressor). Then we’ll find a “brainspot”—a point in your visual field that connects to what you’re working on.
From there, you’ll simply notice what comes up in your body and emotions while I stay with you and help you stay grounded. You don’t have to talk the whole time unless you want to. We’ll go slowly, check in as needed, and make sure you feel grounded before you leave. Over time, many people experience more relief, clarity, and a sense of movement where things once felt stuck.
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Brainspotting can support a range of concerns—especially when something feels stuck in your body or hard to access through talking alone. It’s often used for trauma (including developmental/relational trauma), anxiety (general, performance, social, work-related), grief, life transitions, chronic stress, and somatic symptoms like tightness, heaviness, numbness, or shutdown.
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You don’t have to talk about your trauma—or verbally share anything that comes up—if you don’t want to. Brainspotting can still be effective whether you share a lot, a little, or almost nothing out loud, because we’re leaning on your body’s wisdom. If it feels important that I understand the context of what you’re carrying, you’re always welcome to share. There’s no “right” way to do this—we’ll follow your instincts and go at your pace.
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That’s a really common question—and it makes sense. Brainspotting can feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you’re used to talk therapy. We’ll go slowly, and I’ll be with you throughout—explaining what we’re doing, answering questions, and adjusting as needed.
Sometimes the first few brainspotting sessions feel quiet, subtle, or even a little awkward. That doesn’t mean it’s not working. We’ll stay curious and notice what your body is doing (even small shifts count). And if it truly doesn’t feel supportive for you, that’s okay—we’ll pivot. I’m not here to push one modality; I’m here to offer what fits you. I welcome feedback, and we’ll choose the path that feels most aligned.
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Everyone’s body responds differently. Some clients feel tired, emotionally tender, foggy, shaky, or a bit activated afterward. Others don’t notice much right away—and that’s okay too. Before you leave, we’ll take time to help you feel grounded and steady. It’s also common for your nervous system to keep processing in the hours or days that follow, and we can talk about anything that comes up in our next session.
Additionally, I support families and couples in working through the challenges that can come up when a loved one is experiencing an eating disorder.
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Brainspotting is highly individualized—there isn’t a set timeline or a fixed number of sessions. Some people notice shifts quickly, while others prefer to move slowly and build trust in the process over time. We’ll check in as we go and adjust based on what feels supportive. And if you try it and decide it isn’t the right fit, I’m happy to shift to other approaches that better match your healing goals.