Brainspotting®: Integrative psychotherapy of post-traumatic stress disorder

Brainspotting® is a psychotherapy method used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. It uses visual input and brings together mindfulness, memory, and the body. It is a neuropsychological method based on the link between the eyes and brain, supported by the experimental fact that the direction of the gaze influences the emotional state and our bodily sensations. The principle of Brainspotting® is to use visual input, the activation of emotions, and bodily sensations to access the subcortical level of the brain (hippocampus, amygdala) where the traumatic experience was inaccurately stored. In addition to describing the Brainspotting® technique, the author, a psychotherapist and certified Brainspotting® practitioner, touches briefly on his clinical experiences dealing with the aftermath of sexual trauma, psychological harassment, and recurring nightmares.