A Comparative Analysis: Brainspotting vs EMDR

Looking Closely at Two Related Ways of Processing Trauma and PTSD

There has never been as much attention paid to mental health conditions as there is at the current time, and that is a good thing, to be sure. With more and more focus on mental health, there are sure to be new therapies developed that will help countless individuals overcome the struggles they are facing.

On this page, two such therapies – brainspotting vs EMDR – will be highlighted. Whether it’s brainspotting therapy, EMDR therapy, or something else entirely that allows you to make a meaningful breakthrough in the struggles you are facing, Ingrained Recovery will be happy to help.

All it takes is placing a phone call to one of our representatives today to learn more and get started on this journey.

A Brief Comparison of Brainspotting and EMDR

If you think that brainspotting vs EMDR seems like a bit of a toss-up and that both treatments could be effective for dealing with underlying trauma that leads to substance abuse and other issues, you are correct. These two have a lot in common and they are often effective for a range of individuals.

With that said, brainspotting therapy is usually seen as the more flexible approach, since it tends to be client led. The individual going through the eye movements and progression of emotions can proceed at a pace with which they feel comfortable.

It’s also often true that brainspotting therapy does an excellent job of getting to deep, unspoken emotional pain that might not have surfaced otherwise.

So, where does EMDR come to the top? With EMDR therapy, there is more structure, which allows sessions to be completed in a predictable manner. If time is a factor, for example, a number of EMDR therapy sessions can be scheduled, and you can trust that each session will be completed when expected.

What is Brainspotting?

In the world of treating trauma, brainspotting is a relatively new player in the field. First introduced in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, this was a revolutionary treatment at the time and it remains just as relevant and useful today.

While there is complex science behind this technique, it can be boiled down to the goal of identifying specific points in the patient’s field of vision that are linked to emotionally charged memories.

These points are known as brainspots. When the patient is able to focus on these points, it may be possible to process traumatic memories in a way that would not have occurred otherwise.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This is a treatment that has been around longer than brainspotting, first appearing as a way to deal with traumatic memories in the 1980s. Specifically, it was developed in an effort to help those dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.

The credit for developing EMDR goes to Dr. Francine Shapiro, and while post traumatic memories may have been the initial purpose of this treatment, it has been expanded over the years to include dealing with a number of mental health issues.

More Details on Brainspotting and EMDR Therapies

You don’t need to be an expert in brainspotting or EMDR to enjoy their potential benefits, but it might be useful to understand the basics of how they work before getting started.

Knowing what to expect can put you at ease going into a session and may help you more fully immerse yourself in the process.

The Science Behind How Brainspotting and EMDR Work

• How brainspotting therapy works. With the guidance of a therapist, the patient will focus the eyes on a particular brainspot that is connected to a given trauma. When the brain is able to focus on the spot that is associated with traumatic experiences, it can process those emotions and release them.
   Emotional distress is closely tied to substance abuse, which is why the potential of brainspotting through controlled eye movement is such an exciting prospect for so many people.
• How EMDR therapy works. The patient will notice that going through EMDR therapy feels more structured and process-oriented than brainspotting. During an EMDR therapy session, the patient is going to experience bilateral stimulation, as they will be controlling their eye movements in specific directions while recalling traumatic memories.
   Bilateral stimulation helps the brain integrate the memory in an adaptive way. Just as brainspotting focuses visual attention on specific spots, EMDR will do a similar thing, all with the goal of effectively processing trauma.

Effectiveness and Research

There is research that stands behind the results that bilateral stimulation can provide, whether through brainspotting or EMDR. It’s true that there are subtle differences in how results are achieved, and what those results look like, but each is a worthwhile pursuit.

Specifically, anyone with PTSD issues will want to look closely at EMDR for their bilateral stimulation treatment, while individuals needing to address emotional and physical pain that has been unresolved or repressed for years could explore brainspotting.

Each Has a Track Record

You may be thinking that as the older treatment, EMDR would be more trustworthy because it has a longer track record in the therapy world. In reality, however, each of the choices has been proven with countless patients, so brainspotting vs EMDR really can’t be settled by age.

Go with the one that is most applicable to your needs, or try both to see where the greatest breakthroughs lie.

Risks and Contraindications

Nothing is perfect in the treatment world, even among therapy options that have shown tremendous potential and usefulness. Such is the case with these two solutions, as well, so it’s important to quickly go over how eye movement techniques could lead to some drawbacks.

First, there is the difficult experience of going through these treatments. The whole point is to surface emotions that have been hidden, so the process is likely to be uncomfortable and even upsetting. The result can be meaningful breakthroughs that lead to growth and recovery, but getting there can require emotional distress along the way.

Because of what is required throughout the treatment process, brainspotting and EMDR might not be suitable for some individuals – particularly those with mental health conditions. Before starting any eye movement treatment, be sure to consult with a professional to make sure it’s right for you.

Choosing the Right Therapy for Your Goals and Needs

It’s best not to overthink the differences between these two therapies or to get hung up on which one specifically is going to be right for your needs. Instead, if either of these is a suitable option for your situation in life, the best plan is simply to get started with either an EMDR session or brainspotting session.

As mentioned above, brainspotting is more flexible in practice, so that might be appealing to you as an individual. On the contrary, you might be more comfortable with the structure and predictability of EMDR sessions. Discuss these options with the team at Ingrained Recovery to figure out if these or other treatment options are applicable to your situation.

Training and Certification for Trauma Practitioners

These are two powerful therapies and should only be used by properly trained professionals. When bringing a traumatic memory to the surface, one that has the ability to invoke physical sensations, you want to make sure the person guiding you through the process is qualified and experienced to direct the session properly.

Trying to work through a traumatic memory without the right guidance could make this a negative, and even harmful, experience in the end.

Credentials for Brainspotting vs EMDR

There are certifications available for both brainspotting and EMDR. If you want to explore the use of one or both of these techniques to deal with unprocessed trauma, it’s important to confirm that the people you are working with are fully qualified and have the experience of doing these treatments with other patients.

When you contact Ingrained Recovery, for example, you can trust that everyone who works with you on any kind of treatment will be properly qualified and able to care for you properly. That applies in the case of brainspotting and EMDR, but it also applies to standard talk therapy and anything else that is used as part of the healing process.

Call Ingrained Recovery Today for Dual Diagnosis Support

The discussion of brainspotting vs EMDR is not about deciding which of these two options is “better” – they can both be effective treatments that will address past traumas and other mental health issues.

Instead of trying to decide which one is better, spend your time reaching out to a facility like Ingrained Recovery to talk about the challenges you are facing and learn more about the treatments that are available to deal with your mental health difficulties.

You’ll find that our entire team is compassionate, understanding, and ready to work hard to help you reach your goals.

Reach out today to learn more.

FAQs

How is brainspotting different than EMDR?

Each of these therapies focuses on trauma, but achieves results in different ways. With brainspotting, eye positions are used to access emotional trauma, while EMDR uses guided eye movements to reprocess distressing experiences.

Is EMDR or brainspotting more effective?

This is going to vary on a case-by-case basis. For some, emotional pain will be better handled through the use of EMDR, while others will find that brainspotting is able to more effectively treat trauma.

Can an individual use both brainspotting and EMDR?

In some cases, yes, it may be recommended to use both of these techniques. That decision needs to be made by a qualified professional with experience in using both treatments.