Brainspotting Eye Positions: Rapid Trauma Healing Guide
- Apr 28, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Finding the right eye position is the clinical breakthrough that finally bridges the gap between talking about trauma and actually releasing it from your body. I have analyzed how these specific focal points bypass the logical mind to reach the midbrain where emotional triggers are physically stored. By the end of this guide, you will understand exactly how to use your visual field as a tool for deep neurological resetting and lasting relief.
How do brainspotting eye positions help process trauma?
Brainspotting eye positions work by locating a specific point in your visual field that correlates with a physical sensation of trauma. When you hold your gaze on this "Brainspot," you gain direct access to the subcortical brain. This allows your nervous system to process and release emotional "capsules" that are otherwise unreachable through standard conversation or logic.
There is much more to this process than simply staring at a pointer, including specific techniques like "Inside Window" and "Gazespotting" that tailor the experience to your unique nervous system. Keep reading to discover how these advanced methods identify stored memories and why a simple eye twitch can be the clearest sign that your brain is finally beginning to heal itself.
Table of Contents
The History of David Grand Ph.D. and Brainspotting
The origins of this practice trace back to 2003. Dr. Grand, an experienced therapist, was working with an ice skater who was struggling with a specific jump. During an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) session, he noticed her eyes flicker and lock at a specific point in her visual field.
Instead of moving her eyes back and forth as is common in EMDR, he held the pointer still at that exact spot. The client began to process a deep level of stored trauma that had never surfaced before. This led Dr. Grand to realize that "where you look impacts how you feel." Brainspotting was born from this observation, shifting the focus from moving the eyes to finding fixed brainspotting eye positions that correlate with internal emotional states.
How Your Nervous System Uses the Visual Field
The human eye is more than a camera; it is an extension of the brain. When we experience a traumatic event, the nervous system often goes into a state of "freeze." These experiences are not stored as narrative memories. Instead, they are stored as raw sensory data in the midbrain and brainstem.
Our visual system is hardwired into these deep regions. When you move your eyes across your visual field, you are scanning your internal "hard drive." Certain points in your vision will trigger a reflex. This reflex indicates that you have found a path to a stored memory or a physical sensation. By focusing on these brainspotting eye positions, the brain begins to self-regulate and digest the information that was previously stuck.
Common Brainspotting Eye Positions Explained
In a clinical setting, there is no "one size fits all" position. Every person has a unique internal map. However, we generally use a few primary techniques to find these spots.
Inside Window
In this method, the client identifies the spot. You focus on a specific feeling or issue in your body. As the therapist moves a pointer slowly across your field of vision, you look for the place where the feeling is the most intense. This is the "inside window" because the data comes from your internal experience.
Outside Window
Here, the therapist takes the lead. While you focus on your issue, the therapist watches your face and eyes with extreme precision. They are looking for a reflexive response. This might be a small eye twitch, a sudden blink, a change in breathing, or a swallow. These micro-movements tell the therapist that your nervous system is reacting to a specific point in space.
Gazespotting
This is perhaps the most natural form of eye positioning. Have you ever noticed yourself staring at a specific point on the floor or wall while talking about something difficult? That is gazespotting. Your brain naturally finds a spot to help you process the emotion. In therapy, we simply lean into that natural tendency and stay on that spot to deepen the work.
What Happens During a Therapy Session?
A typical therapy session involving brainspotting is often quieter than a standard session. It begins with "setup." You and your therapist discuss what you want to work on, such as a specific anxiety or a past event.
Activation: You find where that issue lives in your body. It might be a tightness in the throat or a knot in the stomach.
Finding the Spot: Using the pointer, you and the therapist locate the eye position that correlates with that body sensation.
Processing: You look at the spot and allow your mind to go wherever it needs to go. You might experience memories, colors, physical sensations, or even intense emotions.
Observation: The therapist remains a grounded presence, holding the space while you do the internal work.
In our experience, clients often report a sense of "drifting" or deep focus. It is common to see physical signs of release, such as shaking or deep sighs, as the nervous system moves out of its frozen state.
Overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traditional therapy relies on the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for logic and language. However, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an overactive amygdala and a "hijacked" nervous system. You cannot talk your way out of a physiological reflex.
Brainspotting bypasses the "thinking" brain. It goes straight to the source. Because the eye positions link directly to the midbrain, the therapy allows the brain to process the trauma from the bottom up. We have observed that this method can resolve symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance faster than many top-down approaches.
Pro Tip: If you feel overwhelmed during a session, you can use "Resource Brainspotting." This involves finding a spot in your visual field that makes you feel calm, grounded, or strong. You can toggle between the "hard" spot and the "resource" spot to stay regulated.
Challenges and Honest Limitations
While highly effective, brainspotting is not a "magic wand." It is important to be aware of the challenges:
Emotional Intensity: Because you are accessing deep layers of the brain, the emotions can be very raw. You might feel worse before you feel better.
Physical Fatigue: Processing trauma is hard work for the brain. Many clients feel exhausted after a session and need extra sleep.
Not for Everyone: Some individuals may find it difficult to sit still or focus on a single point, especially if they are in an active state of crisis.
Need for a Trained Professional: You should never attempt to "self-brainspot" deep trauma without a certified therapist. The relationship and the "double-attunement" between therapist and client are vital for safety.
Comparison: Brainspotting vs. EMDR
Feature | Brainspotting | EMDR |
Eye Movement | Fixed, stationary positions. | Rapid, rhythmic side-to-side movements. |
Discovery | Created by David Grand Ph.D. in 2003. | Created by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. |
Focus | Flexible, client-led processing. | Highly structured, 8-phase protocol. |
Primary Tool | Uses the visual field to find "spots." | Uses bilateral stimulation (lights, taps, or sound). |
Unlocking Your Path to Neurological Freedom
Understanding brainspotting eye positions is about more than just where you look. It is about understanding how to unlock the emotional regulation and healing potential already present in your brain.
By using the visual field to access the nervous system, you can move past the limitations of talk therapy and address trauma where it lives.
Whether you are dealing with chronic stress or deep-seated trauma, this method provides a path to heal and find lasting change. It is a process of "unwinding" the knots that have kept you stuck.
Ready to explore how your visual field can help you?
What is Brainspotting? It is the first step toward a healthier mental health journey. Contact Chateau Recovery today to speak with a specialist about our trauma-informed programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Who discovered Brainspotting and when did it start?
David Grand Ph.D. discovered the technique in 2003 while working with an ice skater after he noticed her eyes lock on a specific point during a session.
• What is the core discovery behind this therapy?
The primary discovery is that "where you look impacts how you feel," meaning eye positions can trigger specific emotional and physical processing in the brain.
• What are the subcortical regions of the brain?
These are deep brain structures responsible for basic functions and emotional regulation where traumatic memories are stored as sensory data rather than words.
• What is an Outside Window eye position?
This is a technique where the therapist observes the client’s face for reflexive responses, such as an eye twitch or change in breathing, to find a Brainspot.
• How does this differ from traditional talk therapy?
Talk therapy relies on the prefrontal cortex for logic, while Brainspotting bypasses the thinking brain to address the physiological "freeze" state in the nervous system.
At Chateau Health and Wellness, we recognize that the journey through deep-seated trauma requires more than just conversation; it requires a specialized, clinical partnership. We are committed to walking this path alongside you, utilizing advanced techniques like brainspotting eye positions to help unlock the healing potential within your own nervous system. Our team understands the heavy burden of stored emotional capsules, and we take shared ownership in providing a safe, supportive environment where true neurological freedom can occur. We invite you to reach out to us today at (801) 877-1272 to discuss how our trauma-informed programs can facilitate your recovery. Let us begin the process of unwinding the past together, ensuring that you never have to navigate the complexities of healing alone.
 |  |  |
About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.