ARNICA APPROACHES
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a focused, body-based therapy that helps process experiences that are held in the nervous system.
It works from the idea that where you look can influence how you feel. During a session, we identify a specific eye position (“brainspot”) that connects to a particular emotional or physical experience. Holding that position, while staying gently aware of what’s happening internally, allows the brain and body to process what’s been stuck.
Unlike more structured or cognitive approaches, Brainspotting is less about talking through the story and more about allowing the nervous system to process in its own way and timing.
What is Brainspotting most helpful for?
Brainspotting is often used for:
- trauma and unresolved experiences
- anxiety, especially when it feels body-based or hard to “think your way out of”
- chronic stress or nervous system activation
- performance blocks (creative, athletic, or professional)
- emotional overwhelm or shutdown
- experiences that feel “stuck” despite insight or previous therapy
- somatic or body-based distress
It can be especially helpful when:
- you understand something cognitively, but it still feels activated
- talking about an experience hasn’t fully shifted it
- your body reacts before your mind can make sense of it
Research on Brainspotting is still developing, but early studies and clinical reports suggest it can reduce trauma-related symptoms and distress. It is generally considered a promising, emerging approach, often used alongside more established therapies.
What shifts do clients often notice with Brainspotting Therapy
Because Brainspotting works through the nervous system, changes can feel subtle at first and then build over time.
Clients often notice:
- reduced intensity of emotional or body-based reactions
- less reactivity to triggers
- a sense of release or completion around certain experiences
- feeling more grounded or settled in the body
- shifts in patterns that previously felt stuck
- less need to overthink or analyze experiences
Some people describe it as:
- “something moved, even though I didn’t talk through everything”
- “it doesn’t feel as charged anymore”
- “my body feels different around that now”
As with other trauma-focused approaches, change can be gradual and layered, especially when working with longer-term or complex experiences.
At Arnica Mental Health, I am here to work with you in a way that respects your nervous system, your pace, and how your brain actually functions
How does Brainspotting fit into therapy at Arnica?
Brainspotting is one of several tools we use—it’s not the only way we’ll approach therapy. At Arnica, it’s integrated into a broader framework that is nervous-system aware, neurodivergent-affirming, and both paced and collaborative.
We may use Brainspotting when something feels stuck despite insight, when the body is holding more than words can easily access, or when a less verbal, more internal approach feels like a better fit. It offers a way to work with experiences that aren’t always easy to explain or think through, but are still very present in the body.
Hi, I’m Jen. I’m glad you’re here.
I am a therapist, a researcher-at-heart, and a neurodivergent human who understands the internal chaos.
As someone with lived experience of neurodivergence, I know how confusing it can feel when your mind or nervous system reacts faster than you can make sense of it. That lived experience helps me recognize the moments when someone is masking, feeling pressured, or trying to show up as the “easier version” of themselves.
Here, none of that is required.
Feel free to settle in however you need. Move, stim, pause, take a break. Your body and nervous system get to have a say.
Alongside that, I bring evidence-based modalities like IFS, EMDR, ERP, CBT/DBT, and somatic tools. I love research (I read the studies so you don’t have to), but what matters most is the relationship we build and the steadiness we create together.
What the Research Tell Us About Brainspotting Therapy
Research on Brainspotting is still developing, but early studies and clinical reports suggest it can reduce trauma-related symptoms and emotional distress. It’s generally considered a promising, emerging approach and is often used alongside more established therapies.
Because Brainspotting works through the nervous system rather than primarily through verbal processing, it offers a different pathway for addressing experiences that may feel difficult to access through traditional talk therapy alone.
As with other trauma-focused approaches, outcomes tend to be stronger when the work is paced appropriately and supported by regulation, preparation, and integration—not just the processing itself.
Brainspotting is often combined with other approaches depending on what’s needed. This might include EMDR for more structured trauma processing, CBT-based work to address current patterns and behaviors, IFS-informed approaches to better understand internal dynamics and protective patterns, and regulation skills to support stability before and after deeper work.
Brainspotting in Practice: What This Can Look Like
Brainspotting is one of several tools we use—it’s not the only way we approach therapy. At Arnica, it’s part of a broader framework that is nervous-system aware, neurodivergent-affirming, and paced in a way that supports your capacity.
Over time, people often notice shifts that build gradually. This can look like reduced intensity of emotional or body-based reactions, less reactivity to triggers, and a growing sense of grounding or steadiness. Some experiences may feel less charged, or patterns that once felt stuck may begin to shift.
For neurodivergent clients, Brainspotting can be especially helpful because it doesn’t rely heavily on verbal processing, allows for flexibility in pacing and attention, and works with the body rather than against it.
All The Evidence-Based Modalities I Use
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Helps you understand the protective parts of yourself without fighting them.
EMDR
Supports healing from painful or overwhelming experiences by working with the brain’s natural processing systems.
ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention)
The gold-standard treatment for OCD and intrusive thoughts — structured, effective, and done with care.
CBT & DBT strategies
Offer practical skills for emotion regulation, thought patterns, and coping.
Somatic / nervous-system work
Helps you understand and shift body-based responses like freeze, shutdown, or hypervigilance
Brainspotting Articles That Go Deeper
Drawing from evidence-based approaches used in practice
Ready to See If This Is a Good Fit?
A consultation call is free, low-pressure, and simply a chance to get a sense of what working together could feel like. You can schedule a consultation directly through my secure client portal by clicking below.