Brainspotting-Informed Trauma Therapy in Tucson
A nervous-system-based approach that uses focused attention to support trauma processing, regulation, and integration.
Brainspotting is a body-based trauma therapy that works with how the nervous system organizes experience through attention, sensation, and orientation.
When used carefully, Brainspotting can help access and process trauma that feels difficult to reach through talking alone. In my work, Brainspotting is used as part of an integrated trauma approach, guided by nervous system readiness rather than protocol or performance.
What Is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is based on the observation that where we direct our visual attention can access deeper, subcortical nervous system activity.
A “brainspot” refers to a point of focused attention—often related to eye position—where trauma-related material becomes more accessible in the body and nervous system.
Rather than analyzing or reliving experiences, Brainspotting allows the nervous system to process at its own pace, often outside of conscious narrative.
How Brainspotting Supports Trauma Healing
When trauma is present, the nervous system may hold unresolved activation, shutdown, or tension that does not respond to insight alone.
Brainspotting can help by:
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Supporting bottom-up trauma processing
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Increasing tolerance for sensation and emotion
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Reducing nervous system overwhelm or shutdown
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Allowing trauma responses to resolve without forcing recall
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Enhancing regulation and integration over time
Processing often happens quietly and subtly rather than through intense emotional release.
Why Brainspotting Is Used Informedly Here
Brainspotting can be powerful—but without careful pacing, it can also be overwhelming, especially for clients with complex trauma or dissociation.
In my work:
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Brainspotting is never forced or rushed
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Nervous system signals guide when and how it is used
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Stabilization and orientation come first
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Parts-based and dissociative responses are respected
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Processing stops if overwhelm or shutdown increases
This ensures Brainspotting supports regulation and integration rather than bypassing safety.
How Brainspotting-Informed Therapy Works Here
Brainspotting is integrated into a broader trauma-informed framework rather than used as a standalone technique.
1. Establishing Safety and Regulation
Before any focused processing, we ensure your nervous system has enough stability and present-time orientation.
2. Identifying a Brainspot (When Appropriate)
If and when your system indicates readiness, we gently identify a point of focused attention connected to what is emerging.
3. Allowing the Nervous System to Process
Rather than directing or interpreting, we allow the nervous system to unfold responses at its own pace, with careful attunement.
4. Supporting Integration
After processing, we focus on grounding, orientation, and integration so changes consolidate safely.
Brainspotting and Complex Trauma or Dissociation
Brainspotting can be especially helpful for trauma that feels pre-verbal, body-based, or difficult to describe.
At the same time, dissociation and shutdown require careful attention.
When dissociation is present, Brainspotting is:
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Used briefly and selectively
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Integrated with parts-oriented and nervous system regulation work
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Paused or adjusted if protective responses increase
The goal is never to push past protection, but to help the system feel safe enough to change.
How Brainspotting Fits with Other Approaches
Depending on your needs, Brainspotting-informed work may be combined with:
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Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) for early shock and orienting responses
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Ego State Therapy for parts-oriented stabilization and integration
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Nervous system regulation work for pacing and capacity building
No single method is applied rigidly. The work follows your nervous system.
Is Brainspotting-Informed Therapy a Fit?
This may be a good fit if you:
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Feel trauma responses primarily in the body
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Have difficulty accessing material through talking alone
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Want trauma processing that is less cognitive and less directive
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Are looking for a slower, more contained approach
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Have tried other therapies without lasting change
This may not be a good fit if you:
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Are seeking rapid emotional release or catharsis
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Want a highly structured or protocol-driven method
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Prefer advice-focused or skills-only therapy
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Need crisis-level or inpatient care
Practical Details
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Private-pay practice
- Adults only
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Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement
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Brainspotting is used within a trauma-informed, nervous-system-based framework
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Located in Tucson, Arizona
Processing Doesn’t Have to Be Forced
Trauma resolution doesn’t require pushing, reliving, or intense emotional activation. When the nervous system is met with safety and attunement, change often unfolds naturally.
Brainspotting-informed therapy supports this process by working with attention, presence, and regulation rather than against them.