BRAINSPOTTING PRE & POST CARE

Brainspotting is an incredibly powerful therapy modality. It’s helpful for those overcoming trauma, grief, anxiety, and other difficult emotions. Because it can be such a powerful experience, it’s important that clients engage in preliminary care before their sessions and follow up with post care afterwards. Here’s how to set yourself up for success and take care of yourself after your brainspotting appointment:

Pre-Brainspotting Self Care

Set yourself up for success with a little self care prior to your brainspotting session. Start by clearing your schedule for the remainder of the day of your appointment. Processing trauma can be more tiring than you might expect, and it can be difficult to transition back into work mode when you’ve been delving deep into difficult emotions. If you have a lot of obligations to attend to, try scheduling your brainspotting session for later in the day. You may even want to ask a friend or loved one to pick you up from your appointment – it can be jarring to get behind the wheel immediately after brainspotting.

Sleep is always an incredibly important aspect of self care, but it becomes even more vital when you’re trying brainspotting. If you’re having trouble winding down the night before your appointment, try avoiding caffeine or alcohol. Both can seriously interfere with sleep. Melatonin can also help set you up for a restful night.

There’s no denying the connection between our mental health and our physical well being. In addition to getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water, be sure to incorporate some exercise into your routine before your brainspotting appointment. There’s no need to work extra hard at the gym. Instead, just plan to move your body in some way in the days leading up to your session. A quick walk can do wonders to increase blood flow and the growth of brain cells.

Staying hydrated as self care

Selecting Bilateral Music Before Your Session

Another great way to prepare for your brainspotting session is to listen to bilateral music ahead of your appointment. For the unfamiliar, bilateral music alternates sound between the left and right sides of the head, providing a steady, rhythmic pattern. When listened to with headphones, this kind of music can prepare your brain for therapeutic techniques like EMDR and brainspotting.

Bilateral music can be found on YouTube, Spotify, and anywhere else you might get your music. For best results, select an hour-long track or playlist. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Guiding Lights by Destined Dynamics

• Simplicity by Jorge Henderson Collazo

• Time to Heal by Dr. David Grand

• Redemption by Korah Petrasko

• Echoes by Gerald Pink

The power of listening to music

Brainspotting Aftercare

Many clients report feeling thirsty during and after their brainspotting sessions. With this in mind, be sure to hydrate after your appointment ends. You may also feel tired; this is normal, and the reason we recommend taking the rest of the day off after brainspotting. Your brain has done a lot of hard work, and you’ll continue to process even after you leave your appointment.

Restful sleep should be a priority after brainspotting. Seven or eight quality hours of rest can help your brain rest and restore itself. It can help with the mental and physical exhaustion that brainspotting clients sometimes experience. Lightheadedness, yawning, crying and increased emotionality are also common, so be patient with yourself. By prioritizing self care, you’ll set yourself up for success with brainspotting.