A therapeutic approach developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, designed to help individuals access and process deeply rooted emotional and psychological issues. It is particularly effective for treating trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. The technique is based on the premise that where you look affects how you feel; by identifying specific "brainspots"—eye positions that correspond to areas of stored trauma or emotional distress—therapists can help clients access and process these memories more effectively.

During a Brainspotting session, the therapist guides the client to focus on a particular eye position or "brainspot" while maintaining awareness of their internal experiences. This process allows the client to access and process underlying emotions, memories, and physical sensations that may be contributing to their current psychological challenges. The technique leverages the brain's natural ability to heal itself and can lead to profound emotional releases and long-lasting therapeutic outcomes. 

Brainspotting is used to treat a wide range of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and performance anxiety. It is considered a versatile and powerful tool in the realm of trauma therapy and has gained recognition for its effectiveness in helping clients achieve deeper levels of emotional healing.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is primarily used to help people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. The therapy involves the patient recalling traumatic memories while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus, typically the therapist’s finger moving back and forth, although other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as sounds or taps, can also be used.

 The underlying theory suggests that trauma disrupts the brain’s natural ability to process and store memories. By focusing on bilateral stimulation while recalling traumatic memories, EMDR is thought to help the brain reprocess these memories and integrate them more adaptively, reducing the emotional impact of the trauma. 

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy and has been recognized by organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been used to treat other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and phobias. The therapy typically consists of eight phases, including history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation