What’s Brainspotting Therapy in Addiction Treatment For Trauma?

Key Takeaways

• Brainspotting is a therapy that helps uncover and heal unprocessed trauma by using eye position.
• It’s effective in addiction treatment, especially for those with trauma-related substance use.
• Brainspotting goes beyond talk therapy to help people release emotional pain stored in the brain and body.
• It supports recovery by lowering triggers, easing emotional distress, and building self-awareness.
• This therapy is helpful for people dealing with co-occurring mental health conditions or dual diagnosis.

Introduction

Addiction doesn’t start in a vacuum. For many people, it begins with pain they don’t know how to handle. That pain might come from trauma—like childhood abuse, loss, neglect, or a life-changing event. When those feelings are too much to face, some people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope.

But what if there were a way to gently help the brain and body release that pain?

That’s where Brainspotting therapy comes in. It’s a unique approach that’s gaining popularity in addiction treatment programs because of how well it works for people with deep emotional wounds.

This article will explain what Brainspotting is, how it works, and why it’s such a powerful tool in helping people heal from both trauma and addiction.

What Is Brainspotting Therapy?

Brainspotting (often shortened to BSP) is a type of therapy that helps people access unprocessed trauma stored in the brain and body. It was developed by Dr. David Grand and is based on a simple but powerful idea:
Where you look affects how you feel.

When a person focuses their eyes on a certain point in their field of vision, it can connect to emotions, memories, and experiences stored deep in the brain—especially ones that haven’t been fully processed. This “brainspot” acts like a doorway, helping the brain begin to heal from the inside out.

Brainspotting is brain-based, meaning it works with how the brain stores and responds to stress, trauma, and emotion. It’s also body-aware, meaning it pays close attention to what a person feels in their body during the process.

It’s often compared to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), another trauma-focused therapy, but Brainspotting allows for more free-flowing emotional processing with fewer steps and less talking.

How Brainspotting Works in a Therapy Session

A Brainspotting session looks very different from traditional talk therapy. It’s calm, quiet, and often deeply emotional.

Here’s how it usually works:

The therapist sits with the client and helps them identify a specific issue or emotion they want to work on—like anxiety, shame, or a painful memory.

Then, the therapist uses a pointer or pen to guide the client’s eyes across their field of vision. When the client lands on a spot that “feels intense” or activates emotion, they hold their gaze on that spot.

While the client focuses on the brainspot, they’re encouraged to notice what they feel—in their body, their mind, and their emotions. They don’t have to talk much. The therapist simply holds space and helps them stay connected to what’s coming up.

This process helps the brain release stored trauma that may have been hidden for years.

Why Trauma and Addiction Often Go Hand-in-Hand

For many people, addiction is a way to escape. They’re not just using to get high—they’re using to feel less. Less pain. Less fear. Less shame.

This kind of emotional pain often comes from unresolved trauma—things that happened in childhood or earlier in life that were never fully processed. Trauma can get “stuck” in the brain and body, leading to symptoms like anxiety, panic, emotional numbness, or intense mood swings.

Because traditional therapy doesn’t always reach those buried emotions, people often stay stuck in a cycle of self-medicating through substance use.

That’s why trauma-informed treatment is so important. And that’s where Brainspotting shines.

How Brainspotting Helps in Addiction Treatment

Brainspotting is a powerful part of addiction recovery because it helps people access the root causes of their substance use.

Here’s how it helps:

• It finds the emotional triggers behind addictive behaviors.
• It helps people safely process past events that fuel their substance use.
• It reduces stress and anxiety, which often lead to relapse.
• It supports emotional regulation, making it easier to manage cravings and impulses.

Unlike talk therapy, which relies on words, Brainspotting works with the body and nervous system—making it ideal for people who struggle to express their emotions verbally.

For many, Brainspotting feels like a deep emotional release, like a weight they didn’t even know they were carrying has been lifted.

Brainspotting vs Talk Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Both Brainspotting and talk therapy have value—but they work in different ways.

Talk therapy is about conversation. You share your thoughts and feelings, and your therapist helps you understand patterns and find solutions. It works with the thinking brain.

Brainspotting, on the other hand, works with the emotional brain—the part that stores trauma and reacts before we can think things through. It bypasses words and taps into body sensations and emotions that are often hidden under the surface.

Some clients say Brainspotting helps them access emotions they didn’t even know were there. Others find it helpful when they’ve hit a wall in talk therapy or when talking makes them feel more overwhelmed.

Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting in Addiction Recovery?

Brainspotting can help almost anyone, but it’s especially effective for people who:

• Have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect
• Have been diagnosed with PTSD or anxiety
• Are dealing with dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use)
• Have tried other therapies without success
• Struggle with emotional triggers or frequent relapses

It’s also a good option for people who don’t feel comfortable talking about their trauma but still want to heal.

Because Brainspotting is gentle and adaptable, it can be used with people at different stages of recovery—even in early treatment or residential care.

Integrating Brainspotting into a Holistic Treatment Program

At Virtue Recovery Houston, we believe in treating the whole person—not just the addiction.

That’s why Brainspotting is offered alongside a range of other evidence-based and trauma-informed therapies, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Individual and group therapy
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Somatic and experiential therapy
• Relapse prevention planning

Whether someone is just beginning their recovery or working on deeper emotional healing, Brainspotting can be an important part of their journey.

Conclusion

Healing from addiction means more than just quitting drugs or alcohol—it means healing the pain that led to addiction in the first place.

Brainspotting therapy offers a unique and powerful way to do that. By helping people access and release trauma stored deep in the brain and body, it opens the door to real emotional freedom.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction and looking for a deeper way to heal, we’re here to help.

Call Virtue Recovery Houston today at 866-457-4811 to learn more about Brainspotting and other trauma-focused treatments that support long-term recovery.

FAQs About Understanding Brainspotting in Substance Abuse & Mental Health Treatment

What is brainspotting therapy in addiction treatment for trauma?

Brainspotting is a brain-based psychotherapy that helps individuals process unresolved trauma related to substance abuse and mental health issues. It focuses on identifying and resolving underlying issues that contribute to addiction.

How does brainspotting therapy for addiction differ from other treatment approaches?

Brainspotting therapy for addiction targets the subcortical brain, allowing individuals to access and process deep-seated emotional experiences. This differs from traditional therapies that often focus more on cognitive aspects, making it a unique modality for mental health treatment.

Can brainspotting be used in conjunction with other therapies for addiction?

Yes, brainspotting can be used alongside other treatment approaches in a comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment plan. It complements various modalities by addressing underlying trauma while also focusing on substance use disorders.

What are the benefits of brainspotting for addiction treatment?

The benefits of brainspotting include its ability to help individuals uncover and process unresolved trauma, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and promote lasting recovery from addiction by addressing the root causes of substance abuse.

What should I expect during a brainspotting session?

During a brainspotting session, a brainspotting therapist will guide you to identify a specific visual field that correlates with your emotional distress. The therapist will help you focus on this spot while you process feelings and memories related to your addiction and trauma.

Is brainspotting therapy effective for co-occurring mental health issues?

Yes, brainspotting is effective for individuals dealing with co-occurring mental health issues, as it helps to address the underlying trauma that may exacerbate both addiction and other mental health disorders.

How does brainspotting therapy support those in a residential treatment facility?

In a residential treatment facility, brainspotting therapy can enhance the therapeutic environment by providing residents with tools to process their trauma, leading to deeper healing and a more comprehensive approach to therapy for addiction.

Who can benefit from brainspotting therapy for addiction?

Individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, particularly those with unresolved trauma, can greatly benefit from brainspotting therapy for addiction. It is suitable for anyone looking to explore the emotional roots of their substance abuse.

How can I find a qualified brainspotting therapist?

You can find a qualified brainspotting therapist by searching through professional directories, contacting treatment centers that offer brainspotting, or seeking referrals from healthcare providers specializing in mental health treatment.

Resources

https://brainspotting.com/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570648/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030698771300114X