Sometimes you understand where your pain comes from, but understanding alone does not change how you feel. Brainspotting is a focused, body-aware therapy that helps you process trauma and emotional distress in ways that go beyond talking it through. At Redeemed Life Counseling in Argyle, it is one part of a wider range of trauma care.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a therapy developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It is based on the idea that where you look can affect how you feel. With your counselor’s guidance, you find an eye position, called a “brainspot,” that connects to a strong emotion or body sensation. You then hold that gaze and mindfully notice what comes up, giving your brain and body space to process experiences that can be hard to reach with words alone.
Who is it for?
- People with unresolved trauma who have tried talk therapy but still feel the physical or emotional weight of past events.
- People with performance anxiety, including athletes, public speakers, and performers who feel blocked under pressure.
- People whose stress shows up in the body, such as ongoing tension or physical symptoms linked to emotional strain.
- People living with anxiety and panic who want a way to calm an overactive nervous system.
- Anyone who feels stuck, knowing why a problem exists but unable to change how it feels.
Brainspotting and EMDR: How They Compare
Brainspotting and EMDR trauma therapy are both brain and body approaches to trauma, and both involve the eyes. They work differently, though, and knowing the differences can help you and your counselor choose where to start.
- How the eyes are used – EMDR uses back-and-forth eye movements or other bilateral stimulation in short sets. Brainspotting holds one fixed eye position for an extended time.
- How structured it is – EMDR follows a standardized eight-phase protocol. Brainspotting is less scripted and follows your experience moment to moment.
- What the research shows – EMDR has a large research base and is recommended in several clinical guidelines for PTSD. Brainspotting is newer, and research on it is still limited.
- How much you need to say – Neither approach requires you to retell every painful detail of what happened.
Which One Might Fit You
EMDR may be a good fit if you want a well-studied, structured approach for specific traumatic memories. Brainspotting may suit you if you feel stuck, prefer a less structured process, or notice distress mostly in your body rather than tied to one clear memory. Your counselor will help you decide, and some clients use both at different points in their care.
Why Choose Redeemed Life for Brainspotting
- Trauma options under one roof – Brainspotting is offered alongside EMDR, IFS, CBT, and other trauma-informed approaches, so if a different method fits you better, you can switch without starting over somewhere new.
- Counselors who focus on trauma – Many of our licensed counselors list trauma, PTSD, and anxiety among their specialties.
- Care grounded in Christian values – As a Christian counseling practice, we offer a place where faith and healing can sit side by side, and clients of every background are welcome.
- Paced for your safety – Your counselor pays close attention to how much you can comfortably process, and you can pause or return to a calming focus at any time.
- Close to home – Our Argyle office serves clients from Bartonville, Denton, Justin, Lantana, Northlake, Roanoke, and nearby communities.
Talk To One of Our Counselors
Michelle Fitzhugh, LPC-S
Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor
Founder & Executive Director
Specialties:
Works With:
Chris Washam, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Director
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Jennifer Lafabregue, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Courtney Osborne, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Heather Love, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Specialties:
Works With:
Kassie Hitchcock, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
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Marianne Pierson, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Specialties:
Works With:
Kendal Rice, LPC, CAS
Licensed Professional Counselor
Specialties:
Works With:
Matt Faulkner, LMFT Associate
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Supervised by Dr. Charette Dersch, PhD, LMFT-S.
Specialties:
Works With:
Jessica Chacon, LPC Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA LPC-S
Specialties:
Works With:
Chris Shade, LPC Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA, LPC-S
Specialties:
Works With:
Jessica Bradley, MA, LPC Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA, LPC-S
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Works With:
Nicole Resendiz
Masters Level Student Counselor
Supervised by Sharon Michelle Fitzhugh, MA, LPC-S
Se habla español
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What a Brainspotting Session Involves
1. A Free Consultation
Call 940-222-8552 or reach out through our secure contact form. We will talk through what you are experiencing and whether Brainspotting, EMDR, or another approach is the best place to begin. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
2. Preparing and Resourcing
Before working with painful material, your counselor helps you find a resource spot, an eye position linked with feeling calm or grounded. You can return to it whenever a session feels like too much.
3. Finding the Brainspot
You choose what to focus on, notice where you feel it in your body, and rate how intense it feels. Your counselor slowly moves a pointer across your field of vision, watching for subtle reflexive responses and checking in with you until you find the spot where the feeling is strongest.
4. Focused Processing
You hold your gaze on that spot, often while listening to soft biolateral music through headphones, and simply notice what arises. Your counselor stays attuned throughout and helps you ground before the session ends. Reactions vary, and processing can continue for a day or two afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Both use the eyes to help process distress. EMDR uses repeated eye movements within a structured protocol, while Brainspotting focuses on a single fixed eye position and follows your process more flexibly. See the comparison above for more detail.
It is music or tones played through headphones that move slowly between the left and right ears. Many clients find it calming and say it helps them stay focused. It is optional, and you can go without it.
Brainspotting is a newer approach, and research on it is still early. Your counselor can explain what is currently known and whether it fits your goals, or suggest a more established option such as EMDR.
Brainspotting pays close attention to body sensations, and some clients use it to work with physical tension linked to stress or trauma. It does not replace medical care, so continue working with your doctor on any ongoing pain.
No. You can share as much or as little as you like. Much of the work happens as you notice what comes up internally, with your counselor guiding and supporting you.
It varies. Some people feel lighter or calmer, while others feel tired or emotional for a little while. Your counselor will help you ground before you leave and talk with you about self-care between sessions.