[1][2] Practitioners of this technique use a pointer to direct a client’s eye gaze in order to send signals to the brain to resolve psychological or physical concerns.
[2] There are several variations of brainspotting that may include bilateral stimulation via audio recordings called “BioLateral”, wearing goggles that block vision in one eye, or allowing clients to guide therapists on how to direct their gaze.
[8] Another study compared, via within-subjects design, the effects of effects of a single 40-min session of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), Body Scan Meditation (BSM), and placebo reading condition in the processing of distressing memories reported by a non-clinical sample of adult participants (psychologists and medical doctors attending a four-year specialization in Systemic Psychotherapy at an Italian Institute of Family Therapy).
[2][3] Existing studies have been critiqued due to being solely authored by brainspotting’s originators and collaborators, indicating potential bias.
[8][9][7][10] The American Psychological Association does not list brainspotting as a recommended intervention for PTSD under its clinical practice guidelines for mental health professionals.