There's a limit to how far talking can take you.
You've probably already done some version of processing what's hard. Maybe you understand where it comes from, or you can trace the patterns back to their roots. And yet something in your body, your nervous system, your reactions- still holds on.
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That's not a failure; it's a signal that the work needs to happen at a different level.
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Brainspotting and EMDR are two of the most effective trauma-informed approaches available. Both are designed to access and process what lives beneath conscious thought. Not by talking through every detail, but by working directly with the brain and nervous system, where the experience is actually stored.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a brain-body based therapy that works by locating specific eye positions- called brainspots- that correspond to areas of emotional activation in the brain. When we find the right spot, it opens a channel to deeper processing that doesn't require verbal analysis or reliving experiences in detail.
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For many people, Brainspotting feels like a deep, curious settling. A gentle turning toward something that's been held at a distance, without force or pressure. Your nervous system leads, and we follow.
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It's particularly effective for:
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Trauma- both single-incident and complex, relational trauma
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Anxiety and chronic nervous system activation
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Grief and loss
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Stuck emotional patterns that haven't shifted with talk therapy
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Performance anxiety- creative blocks, public speaking, athletic performance
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Stress-related physical symptoms
What Is EMDR?
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- is one of the most extensively researched trauma therapies available. It works by using bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements) to help the brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences that haven't been fully integrated.
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When something traumatic or overwhelming happens, the brain can store it in a fragmented, unprocessed way- which is why certain memories, triggers, or body sensations can feel as vivid and activating as the original experience. EMDR helps the brain complete what it couldn't finish at the time, allowing those experiences to settle into the past where they belong.
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EMDR is particularly effective for:​
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PTSD and single-incident trauma
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Childhood and relational trauma
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Anxiety, phobias, and panic
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Negative core beliefs- "I'm not enough," "I'm not safe," "I'm to blame"
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Grief and attachment wounds
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Brainspotting vs EMDR - how do I decide?
Both approaches work with the brain and nervous system rather than relying solely on talk. Both allow processing without requiring you to verball narrate every detail of what happened. And both can create meaningful, lasting shifts in ways that traditional therapy sometimes can't reach.
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The difference is largely in how they work and what they feel like in the room. Brainspotting tends to be quieter and more internally focused- following your nervous system's own wisdom with minimal direction. EMDR is more structured, using bilateral stimulation to move through specific memories or beliefs in a guided sequence.
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In practice, I draw from both. We choose the approach that fits where you are, what you're working through, and what your nervous system needs. Sometimes that's one or the other. Sometimes elements of both woven together.
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There's no rigid protocol here, the work follows you.
What to expect in a session
Sessions using Brainspotting or EMDR look different from traditional talk therapy, and that's intentional. There's less pressure to find the right words or explain yourself fully. More space to notice what's happening in your body, your felt sense, your emotional experience.
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I'll guide the process, but you're always in control of the pace. We move at the speed of your nervous system, not a clock or a protocol.
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These approaches can be offered as standalone sessions, integrated into ongoing individual therapy, or as part of a therapy intensive for more focused, sustained work.
Is Brainspotting or EMDR right for you?
These approaches tend to be a strong fit if:
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You've done talk therapy and feel something deeper is still unresolved
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You notice body based symptoms of stress or traume (tension, reactivity, shutdown)
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You want to process experiences without having to retell or relive them in detail
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You're open to a mind-body approach to healing
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You feel ready to go somewhere new
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They may not be the right fit if you're currently in crisis or need immediate stabilization. In that case, we'd focus on building nervous system regulation and safety first before moving into deeper processing work. We'll always assess together what's right for where you are.​​