What Is Brainspotting? A Cutting-Edge Approach to Healing Trauma & Addiction
Addiction is rarely just about substances. Underneath the cravings and compulsions, there is usually something else—unresolved trauma, chronic stress, and patterns of survival that began long before the first drink or drug. While traditional talk therapy is an important tool, it doesn’t always reach the parts of the brain where trauma lives. Enter Brainspotting.
Brainspotting 101
Brainspotting is a therapy method designed to access and process unresolved experiences stored in the brain and body. It works by using specific eye positions, known as “brainspots,” to locate areas of the brain that are holding onto unprocessed trauma or emotional distress. These points are identified with the help of a trained therapist, who guides you to notice where in your visual field certain feelings or body sensations intensify.
When you focus on a brainspot, your brain begins to process the experience connected to it. This is not about reliving trauma, but about allowing the brain’s natural healing mechanisms to complete the work they were unable to finish at the time of the original event. In this way, Brainspotting helps reduce the emotional and physical intensity of triggers, making space for calmer, more balanced responses.
Brainspotting & Addiction Recovery
Addiction and trauma can be deeply connected. Some people use substances as a way to manage the overwhelming emotions and body sensations left behind by trauma. Even after getting sober, unresolved trauma can continue to fuel anxiety, depression, and cravings. This creates a cycle that makes recovery more difficult.
Brainspotting is effective in addiction treatment because it works directly with the brain’s survival systems. By helping the nervous system release stored distress, it reduces the power of triggers and allows individuals to respond to life’s challenges without automatically turning to substances. This deeper level of healing can make long-term sobriety more sustainable.
What a Brainspotting Session Looks Like
Collaborative and intentional. A typical session begins with a discussion about what you would like to address—this could be a specific memory, a recurring feeling, or a pattern of reactivity. The therapist then helps you explore your visual field to find the brainspot connected to that issue.
Once the brainspot is located, you focus on it while the therapist supports you in noticing your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. There is no need to explain everything in words; the process allows your brain to do the work naturally. Over time, this focused attention can lead to a noticeable reduction in emotional distress and physical tension.
Integrating Brainspotting with Other Therapies
Brainspotting is not a stand-alone cure for addiction, but it can be a powerful complement to other evidence-based treatments. Many recovery programs integrate it alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family counseling, and holistic practices like mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy.
Is Brainspotting for You?
At Holland Pathways, Brainspotting is offered as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program designed to meet you where you are. Our clinical team provides a safe environment for you to process the past, strengthen your coping skills, and move forward with a clearer mind and a more grounded sense of self.
To learn more about Brainspotting and our addiction treatment programs, call us today. Healing is possible.
