What’s Better EMDR or BRAINSPOTTING?
Both EMDR and Brainspotting (BSP) are comprehensive brain-body based psychotherapy interventions that treat a variety of symptoms such as trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. I am honored to be able to offer both of these psychotherapy treatments to my clients. I often have clients ask about which one would be better for them and we talk about their symptoms, their therapy goals, and the differences between BSP and EMDR.
I have practiced EMDR longer than I have been trained in BSP, but BSP has become my first line approach because it requires less set-up/preparation and clients typically respond to it well. I still love using EMDR to treat single-incident trauma and for those clients who respond better to more structure in sessions. It’s not uncommon for my clients and I to start with one approach and then pivot to the other to see what kind of results we can get.
Here’s a table outlining a few of the differences between BSP and EMDR:
Similarities: BSP and EMDR are both amazing treatment options that can create deep, lasting change and healing. They both utilize the eyes and are integrative treatment approaches. They both offer something beyond talk therapy by accessing deeper parts of the brain and soma. And what’s most important? It is that they can change people’s lives for the better!
**** References****
January 18, 2023 Facebook post by Steve Sawyer of David Grand about EMDR vs. BSP in International Brainspotting Practitioners Group
P.S. The Blue Ridge Mountains are STUNNING! Thanks to Melinda Casper for capturing this photo and moment!
