5 Fundamental Differences Between EMDR & Brainspotting Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy) and Brainspotting therapy are both brain-based psychotherapies used to treat trauma and other mental health issues. A brain-based therapy differs from traditional talk therapy in that brain-based therapies guide clients into an experiential process where thoughts, images, memories, emotions and somatic feelings stored in the body are accessed in order to heal the effects of trauma or disturbing experiences.
Both EMDR and Brainspotting require specialized training and experience to be applied to a client’s treatment. Both modalities also offer the trained therapist an additional rigorous certification and consultant training process. Neither therapy requires certification or a therapist to become a consultant, but continuing education is available to trained and certified therapists.
However, EMDR and Brainspotting therapy do have some key differences that you should consider when seeking treatment from a trained therapist. In order to help you in your search to determine which might be a better fit for you, here are 5 fundamental differences between EMDR and Brainspotting therapies:
01. Founders and the Bare Bones Basics
EMDR therapy was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. Dr. Shapiro was taking a walk when she realized when she looked from one side to the other, she felt relieved of the stressful feelings she was experiencing. Based on this observation, Dr. Shapiro went on to develop EMDR therapy.
EMDR therapy is based on Dr. Shapiro’s Adaptive Information Processing model which is the idea that traumatic experiences can overwhelm our mind’s innate natural healing/processing system and become "stuck." EMDR therapy can help to process these “stuck” experiences through the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as side-to-side eye movements, alternating taps or sounds. EMDR therapy has numerous studies supporting its effectiveness in treating trauma-related conditions.
Brainspotting therapy was developed by David Grand in 2003. Dr. Grand was using a form of EMDR therapy with a long term client to address athletic performance enhancement. While conducting BLS during the session, Dr. Grand instinctively decided to stop BLS and hold his finger at a fixed point where he noticed his client’s eye bobble. As the client held her gaze, she proceeded to process past traumatic experiences that transcended the previous work they’ve done. As a result, his client overcame her performance block the next day.
Brainspotting therapy is rooted in the belief that eye positions can help to access and process unresolved trauma and emotional issues stored in the subcortical area of the brain. Brainspotting therapy also draws on elements of Somatic Experiencing and the idea that the body stores trauma, leading to physical and emotional symptoms. Brainspotting therapy can also be used for expanding intrapersonal resources and performance enhancement. Being a newer therapy, Brainspotting has not yet been as extensively researched as EMDR therapy.
02. EMDR Therapy Protocol vs. Brainspotting Therapy Set-up
EMDR therapy’s Standard Protocol follows an eight-phase structure where the therapist guides the client through processing distressing memories. EMDR’s protocol addresses a client’s past, present and future experiences through the negative and positive beliefs held by the client about who they are as a person. The early phases of EMDR therapy address how these negative beliefs affect a client’s present day life and formulate a positive belief in consideration of how they would prefer to respond to situations in the future.
The therapist then uses EMDR therapy to guide the client to determine a specific experience to target, and to enhance current and build new resources. The reprocessing phase includes a preparation for reprocessing and adding BLS to begin reprocessing the chosen target. Once the target is reprocessed, subsequent phases address “installing” the positive belief, closing unfinished sessions, follow-up session check-ins and between sessions plan of care. Over the years additional protocols have been developed that have refined the standard protocol to address specific trauma and mental health issues.
Brainspotting therapy employs the use of a set-up in preparation for a client’s processing. In Brainspotting therapy, the emphasis is more on the client’s “issue” and felt experience than adhering to a specific protocol. In general, a brainspotting set-up encompasses identifying the issue to be addressed, that the client feels activated around this issue, the level of activation a client is feeling and (the method in) choosing a spot where the client will be gazing.
Clients can gaze at a spot based on the activation they feel or a spot based on more calming or neutral feelings. In either case, the issue processes. Brainspotting therapy has multiple types of set-ups and spots can be chosen based on the therapist’s observation of the client, in collaboration between the therapist and client, or by the client themselves. The Brainspotting therapy set-ups may be adjusted to conform to the needs of the client.
03. Bilateral Stimulation vs. Brainspots
BLS is a core component of EMDR therapy. It is the application of BLS that encourages the brain's adaptive information processing system to re-engage. This is the system stated earlier that can get overloaded when a disturbing experience occurs, resulting in experiences becoming “stuck.” Applying the BLS, as part of the EMDR therapy protocol can assist in reviving a client’s natural healing system thereby allowing such experiences to be reprocessed so they feel more distant, more like memories.
Brainspotting therapy focuses on identifying and processing through "brainspots," which are specific eye positions typically associated with the client’s activation around the stated issue. Brainspots can also be identified through non-activating feelings, known as a “resource spot.” Brainspotting therapy doesn't use BLS like EMDR does. In contrast, Brainspotting therapy suggests that by fixing the gaze on a brainspot, clients can access and process deep-seated emotional and somatic (bodily) experiences associated with trauma and disturbing experiences, or expand on resources and accomplishments when used for performance enhancement.
04. Use of Equipment
EMDR therapy uses tools to help guide the client with bilateral stimulation as part of its protocol. Again, BLS is applying a stimuli that alternates between one side of the body and the other to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. BLS can be applied through sight, sound or touch. Equipment can be used, but is not mandatory. When BLS is applied through sight, therapists working with clients in person may have a light board or light bar to guide the clients eye movements.
Light bars and boards can be adjusted for speed and a light board can additionally be adjusted for different directions. Therapists working with clients online may use a special platform that provides this type of light source, or the therapist can guide the client using hand movements or have clients look from side to side on their own. To use sound for BLS, the client will wear headphones that can play special sounds or music that alternates from one ear to the other. BLS can be applied through touch via alternating taps though tappers that a client holds and is administered by the therapist, or by having the client tap themselves, their desk or chair.
A Brainspotting therapy therapist can use a pointer to help identify a brainspot and maintain that spot during the client’s process. The pointer also helps to provide a home base for clients who divert to other brainspots during processing as well helping the client to connect with the presence of the therapist as they process.
The pointer is a retractable implement traditionally used by one giving a presentation. Some therapists may replace the tips of the pointer with different colored tips or objects to help clients with their comfort and connection in identifying a brainspot. Two pointers can also be used when clients use two brainspots (also known as double spotting).
Brainspotting therapy can also incorporate special Biolateral music developed by Dr. Grand to enhance processing as well as provide a sense of calm to the client. Some clients are not as comfortable with using the biolateral music, and can forego its use. Using biolateral music is encouraged but not mandatory.
05. Role of the Therapist
In EMDR therapy, the therapist plays a more active role in facilitating the EMDR protocol. Therapists actively assist clients in identifying a target memory and then collaborating with the client to identify negative and positive beliefs as well as assessing clients status prior to reprocessing. Therapists are also active during the application of sets of BLS by guiding the client's BLS and checking in with the client between each set of BLS.
Brainspotting therapy involves less therapist direction. Once the client’s set-up is achieved, the therapist’s role is more of a supportive presence and facilitator of the client’s experience. In Brainspotting therapy, the client is considered the comet and the therapist is the tail. The therapist will follow the client’s lead, allowing the client to explore their own internal experiences prompted by the gaze on the brainspot. The therapist will check in from time to time, if needed, but the primary role is to hold the space for the client.
Ultimately, your decision to incorporate EMDR and/or Brainspotting into your personal therapy depends on your preferences, your comfort with the therapist's expertise, and your specific needs. Many therapists have a website that provides information about themselves, their expertise and who they best serve.
You can also use a consultation or initial therapy session as an opportunity to ask questions about how that particular therapist would work with you using EMDR and/or Brainspotting. Please be aware that you may also respond better to one approach over the other. Therapists may use their clinical judgment, but also collaborate with you to determine a treatment plan that is most suitable to your needs.