Why Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a powerful and effective method of identifying, processing, and releasing various types of sports related traumas. I have been astonished at the deep level of healing that clients have achieved in a relatively brief amount of time utilizing Brainspotting.
Performance related traumatic events can overwhelm the brain and leave behind unprocessed traumatic impressions that manifest as psychological or body-based problems in a person’s life. Brainspotting allows a trained coach to utilize a client’s field of vision to discover specific spots in the brain where trauma is being held. Once a ‘brainspot’ is identified, deep processing acts to release and resolve the unprocessed traumatic impression.
Brainspotting does not remove memories of traumatic life events; it safely and effectively diminishes the negative feelings associated with the events. Minor traumas can often be addressed and healed in a couple of sessions, whereas more complex traumas may require numerous sessions to resolve.
What to Expect in a Performance Brainspotting Session
Before We Meet: I will ask you to write up two timelines that we will work with going forward. The first will be a timeline of all sports injuries and surgeries. The second will be a timeline of any and all sports humiliations and rejections (i.e. your parent focusing only on what you did wrong after an elementary school baseball game, or your college coach berating you in front of the team). This information will help us address simultaneous physical and psychological sports-related stressors that can lead directly to Blocks, Slumps, Yips and Performance Anxiety.
Session: Please have a reliable computer with the capacity to run Secure Video (we will utilize the Zoom platform), a good internet connection, and a private place that will allow you to feel most at ease while we are in session.
Headphones: Clients are encouraged to use their own headphones to play “bilateral music” during the Brainspotting portion of the session. I would suggest utilizing Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora or Youtube (commercial free) and listening to different examples of “bilateral music” before we meet. Bilateral music is typically a mix of light music with nature or calming sounds that slowly oscillates between the left and right ear. This type of audio is meant to enhance the connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Choose your favorite track(s) and have them available to play during our session if you elect to use bilateral music during your session.
What Do You Want to Work On?: The client will identify the issue(s) and/or emotions that will be focused on during the session. We can work from the lists that you have created and/or from the most recent experiences effecting your athletic performance or mindset.
Finding a Brainspot: Together, the client and coach will search for and identify the brainspot(s) that correspond to the issue(s) and/or emotions being focused on during the session.
Processing: Once a brainspot(s) is identified, the client will remain mindful and curious, and actively observe what is taking place for them as they experience shifts in emotions, sensations, thoughts, and memories. It is this process, along with the coach’s encouragement and occasional guidance, that will address and ameliorate subcortically-held emotions, injuries, and embarrassments that are holding you back from your full power as an athlete.
Who can benefit from Brainspotting Performance Coaching?
Brainspotting was discovered in 2003 by David Grand, Ph.D, and is practiced by thousands of practioners all over the world. The power and rapid effectiveness of this technique comes from the combination of two relationships: the relationship between the coach and client held in dual-attunement, and the strength of the brain-and-body-based modality. Brainspotting is often a gentle process that is suitable for anyone, and it is very helpful in treating a wide variety of conditions such as:
Creativity, Sports, and Performance Enhancement
Performance Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Preparation and Recovery from Surgery
Recovery From Injury & Accident Trauma
Physical and Emotional Trauma
Negative Self Talk
Please visit these helpful links for more information:
Dr. David Grand
http://www.brainspotting.com/
Rocky Mountain Brainspotting Institute
http://rockymountainbrainspottinginstitute.com/
To explore more about what Brainspotting can do for you, please contact me for a free 20-minute consultation.
