Trauma doesn't just live in your thoughts and memories—it lives in your body, stored deep within your nervous system. This is why traditional talk therapy, while valuable, often falls short when it comes to truly healing trauma.

When we experience trauma, our brain's survival mechanisms activate instantly. The subcortical regions—the deeper, more primitive parts of our brain—process and store these overwhelming experiences before our conscious, thinking brain can make sense of what happened. This is why traumatic memories can feel so vivid and visceral, triggering physical sensations, emotions, and reactions that seem to come out of nowhere.

Brainspotting accesses these subcortical regions where trauma is actually stored. By identifying specific eye positions (brainspots) that correlate with traumatic activation in the brain and body, we can process trauma at its source—bypassing the limitations of language and conscious thought.

Unlike traditional talk therapy that works primarily with the cortex (thinking brain), Brainspotting allows you to access, process, and release trauma from the deeper brain structures where it's been held. This is why clients often experience profound shifts that talking alone couldn't achieve.

Brainspotting uses the field of vision to access traumatic activation in the brain and nervous system. Where you look affects how you feel—and by finding the right eye position, we can locate and process trauma that's been stuck in your system.

The Brainspotting Process

1. Accessing Traumatic Activation: We identify a physical sensation, emotion, or memory related to the trauma. This gives us a starting point—something your body is already aware of, even if it's difficult to put into words.

2. Finding Your Brainspot: Using a pointer, we slowly move through your field of vision while you notice where you feel the strongest activation in your body. This eye position is your "brainspot"—a direct access point to where trauma is held in your brain.

3. Bilateral Stimulation: Often, we'll use bilateral sound (BioLateral music) through headphones. This gentle auditory stimulation helps your brain process the trauma, similar to how REM sleep helps consolidate memories and emotions.

4. Somatic Release: As you hold your gaze on the brainspot, your brain naturally processes the trauma. You might notice physical sensations shifting, emotions moving through, or insights emerging. This is your nervous system releasing what it's been holding.

5. Nervous System Regulation: As the activation decreases, your nervous system begins to find a new baseline. The fight-flight-freeze response that's been stuck "on" can finally relax. Your body learns that the danger has passed.

The beauty of Brainspotting is that you don't have to talk about the trauma in detail if you don't want to. Your brain and body do the healing work. Many clients describe it as a profound sense of relief—like something heavy they've been carrying finally lifts.

Oakland has a rich, complex history, and many residents carry both personal and collective trauma. Whether you're dealing with individual traumatic experiences, intergenerational trauma, or the ongoing stress of living in the Bay Area (housing insecurity, displacement, systemic oppression), trauma-informed care recognizes all of these layers.

As an Oakland-based therapist, I understand the unique context of this community. Brainspotting offers a way to heal that honors your experience without requiring you to relive or extensively talk about traumatic events—particularly valuable for those who've already had to tell their story many times without finding relief.

I'm committed to creating a safe, validating therapeutic space where all parts of your experience are welcomed and your nervous system can finally rest.