When it comes to therapeutic modalities designed to help individuals process trauma and emotional distress, two “Power Therapies” have gained significant attention: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting. While both approaches aim to alleviate symptoms linked to trauma and enhance emotional well-being, they differ in their techniques and underlying principles.
These modalities have been shown to help clients dealing with (but not limited to) the following:
- Anxiety & Depression
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Chronic Illness is the body
- Complex Trauma & PTSD
- Difficulty in relationships
- Fears & Phobias
- Grief
- Migraines and Chronic Pain
- Negative beliefs about yourself or body image
- Performance Anxiety (Musicians, Athletes & Actors)
- Religious Trauma & Spiritual Abuse
- Sexual Assault & Abuse
- ‘Stuck’ painful emotions or memories
- Toxic Shame
- And much more
Brainspotting vs EMDR – What’s the Difference?
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a transformative psychotherapy technique designed to alleviate the distress linked to traumatic memories. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR helps individuals process and integrate traumatic experiences by using bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements.
This evidence-based approach enables clients to reframe negative beliefs and emotions linked to trauma, leading to significant improvements in mental health and emotional well-being. EMDR therapy is particularly effective for treating PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. With its structured eight-phase protocol, EMDR offers a safe and efficient path to healing, making it a popular choice among therapists and clients alike. Discover the benefits of EMDR therapy to reclaim your life from the shadows of trauma and foster resilience.
For more info about EMDR Therapy, please visit www.EMDR.com
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting therapy is a powerful, innovative therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma and emotional distress. Developed by Dr. David Grand, this method identifies and targets specific eye positions that correlate with emotional experiences, allowing clients to access and release unresolved traumas stored in the brain.
By facilitating a deep state of awareness and connection to these inner experiences, Brainspotting promotes healing and personal growth. This therapy is effective for various conditions, including Trauma & PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic conditions in the body and performance enhancement.
Ideal for those seeking a non-invasive, somatic experience, Brainspotting can be integrated with other therapeutic modalities for a comprehensive healing journey. This therapy gives us a tool to locate, process and release experiences that are typically out of reach of the conscious mind. These are things we often struggle to even put into thoughts and words.
For more info about Brainspotting Therapy, please visit www.BRAINSPOTTING.com
Similarities between EMDR and Brainspotting
- Both used Brain-body somatic approach.
- Both techniques use Bilateral Stimulation.
- Both therapies need minimal talking in session.
- Both can help you process information stored in the amygdala.
- Both techniques help you to reprocess information.
- Both techniques are client centered and allow client to decide the issue.
- Both techniques are effective to treat past trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and many other issues.
- Both can yield quick results in few session compared to talk therapy.
- Both techniques can make you tired after the session and it is recommended that client take it easy for rest of the day or engage in self-care activity.
Differences between EMDR and Brainspotting
- EMDR has a very specific protocol to follow. It can take a few sessions to start reprocessing past trauma. Brainspottingis flexible in its use and relies on the client’s attunement with the therapist.
- Brainspotting can be used within the first session, while EMDR is not recommended until the first 3 phases are completed, which can take a few sessions.
- EMDR can feel lonely or rigid for the client, due to limited feedback from the therapist, while Brainspotting is organic; the client leads the session by maintaining the “brain spot”.
- EMDR can be tiring for your eyes while Brainspotting lets you change eye movement or close your eyes if needed.
- Brainspotting is highly adaptable to telehealth sessions and can be easily conducted by using any HIPAA secured video link. EMDR requires special tools or software to conduct, in addition to a HIPAA secured video link.
- EMDR is very structured and is trained to use as a stand alone modality. Brainspotting is trained as a therapeutic tool that can be blended with any other modality the therapist and client find useful to processing (Narrative, somatic, art therapy, IFS, body movement, etc)
EMDR and Brainspotting are some of the leading, cutting-edge therapies for processing trauma and emotional distress. All of the therapists at Trauma Therapy of Nashville are trained in Brainspotting and half of us are trained in both! We also offer Internal Family System (IFS), Somatic and embodiment modalities at our clinic.
We believe in finding the best approach that works for each client and work with clients individually to figure out which approach is best suited to their nervous system.
If you wish to try either Brainspotting or EMDR, please reach out to schedule a consultation. Our coordinator will help connect you with the best therapist for your needs, so that you can start the process of healing and growth!