Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change Paperback – April 1, 2013

BRAINSPOTTING THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW THERAPY FOR RAPID AND EFFECTIVE CHANGE DAVID GRAND PHDPublished by Sounds True 2013. ISBN: 978-1-60407-890-9 Available now from Amazon.comBrainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change"Once I realized that the human system is so vast as to be unknowable, I surrendered to it and that surrender was not a defeat it was a liberation." - David Grand summarises. (Brainspotting can change the way you live and carry out therapy - my words).DAVID GRAND's book about Brainspotting is an informative read about a gentle yet profound therapy that genuinely brings liberation. This story of Brainspotting by the therapy's innovator is highly recommend as an introduction to a most effective and life-changing therapy. Have you ever wondered why cognitive talk therapy did not seem to help for long? After having read this book, you understand why, because you have a physiological and neurobiological problem. A welcome feature of this therapy is its ability to integrate with virtually any other. You will be amazed at the results no matter your previous background. Those who have learned EMDR will find this more gentle yet profound for even the most vulnerable and dissociative clients who found other approaches too aggressive or directive. Brainspotting also complements the newer therapies such as Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.The author describes a uniquely holistic and integrative approach, initially designed to resolve trauma and also indispensible for enhancing confidence and performance skills. Whether clients attend in desperation after many previous years of therapy or as a skilled athlete, artist, musician or performer who needs to increase their potential, this is the therapy. (Many conditions and symptoms have spectacularly melted away in my practice including, anxiety, OCD, psychosomatic disorders, chronic pain and those following physical injury such as whiplash, ME and CF.In Chapter 1, the genesis of Brainspotting is celebrated with an example of a figure-skater who dramatically overcame a block to her progress, previously unachievable even after more than a year of skilled therapy. Chapter 2 further illustrated the origins of the therapy when "Outside Window" was named after David first observed how important the body's reflexes were in indicating internal (physiological) arousal or `stuck activation' which when paired with a Brainspot, enabled self-resolution of the trauma utilising the client's own neurobiological processes. The denouement continues in Chapter 3, with an incisive ability to observe everything and assume nothing with "Inside Window". This allowed the client to report their `felt sense' in connection with an eye position enabling them greater direction over their experience. Chapter 4 demonstrates how a Resource Model offers even more gentle access to and release of trauma and consequent symptomatology for those experiencing greater vulnerability. Chapter 5 teaches us to note and utilize natural ways of balancing our physiological state (back to homeostasis) by spontaneously and naturally gazing at particular spots. This is usually a subconscious action where a gaze relates to where we experience either some activation or a resource within which helped him coin the phrase: "Where you look affects how you feel."In Chapter 6 The Dual Attunement Frame is noted as the part of the core essence of Brainspotting. David Grand describes that a therapist does well to "hang onto the tail of the comet", because the neurobiology works so fast (in self-scanning and attempted stabilization) that to try to race ahead of the comet (clients' neurobiology) or to direct the client is certain to fail. Therefore, using the dual attunement frame encourages an essential `felt sense' of safety in the client, deep in the brainstem, enabling their self-healing to take place at it's own pace. The presence of the therapist cannot be underestimated. So simple and elegant and seemingly effortless when done well and in effect, so complex to learn how to find and facilitate a mutual trust with the clients' neurobiology to enable it to heal in the way it must.Chapter 7 & 8 show Brainspotting to be an integrative model and explains the three-dimensionality of this therapy and how we map and utilize the clients' relevant eye-positions on these three dimensions.Chapter 9 comments that the latest exciting discoveries and published scientific research changes so quickly that it is genuinely hard to keep track. New scientific discovery seems to back up Brainspotting's effectiveness. The book acknowledges the cutting edge contributions to science by Dr Frank Corrigan (Scotland) who wrote (co-authored with Dr David Grand) a new paper accepted for publication in Medical Hypotheses, "Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation" (in press 2013). This brand new model suggests where the sense of `who we are' resides along with where the resolution pathways are. Brainspotting seems to be the first therapy to work at the core of the self, for real resolution and truly effective healing.Chapter 10 examines Brainspotting in relation to the Body and Brain - a complex and integrated whole. The mind is seen as curious observer of the interactions of Body and Brain in trauma resolution. Chapter 11 illustrates sports and more specific performance issues with pertinent case examples. Not just in the domain of champions and experts, performance issues are part of everyone's life. Creative ability is also a crucial part of us all, developed to different levels and affected markedly by our early experience. Chapter 12 explains that our natural creativity can shine or be crushed from childhood and the consequences that would have been suffered over a lifetime, curtailing abilities and freedom can now be resolved. The book closes after a look at Self-Brainspotting in Chapter 13 where exercises are illustrated. Chapter14 comments on Brainspotting as an international phenomenon and speculates on its future. A helpful glossary and some suggested resources conclude the text but start the journey of adventure for those lucky enough to learn this exciting new therapy of infinite possibility.Engage your curiosity and feed your creativity... with this book that is equally informative and helpful for therapists and the public who seek to understand effective solutions for often unexplained but ubiquitous trauma in our lives that previously blocked progress and healing."Where you look affects how you feel." and... What you read here will change you and influence the rest of your life. I recommend this book highly to all.PD-UK. B.Sc., Dip.Clin.Psychol., C.Psychol., A.F.B.Ps.S.

As I was pulling into a hotel parking lot in Tarrytown, NY on May 16, 2003 for a church convention, I received a call from my friend, Dr. David Grand. David told me about something he discovered that he believed might forever change the way he treated clients. Dr. Grand said that he would tell me more as this discovery evolved-progressed. I congratulated him and I was very curious as to what exactly this was.That was my introduction to what would later be called Brainspotting. In 2005, while I was still a social work student, David showed me firsthand what Brainspotting was and what it could do. It has since changed my life in the way I treat clients and provide pastoral care for my parishioners.David Grand's book, "Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Effective Change", is an excellent book for both the general public as well as mental health professionals. His anecdotes and stories, highlight what Brainspotting is and how it works, and makes for an easy read. But, Dr. Grand also expands on the more technical aspects of the treatment for therapists and those wanting to know more about the science of Brainspotting.In the book there is an excellent glossary of terms and a listing of other resources as well. If you or someone you know suffers from PTSD, trauma, grief or any kind of loss than do yourself a favor and please read "Brainspotting." Also, if you are an artist, actor or athlete struggling with your craft or you just want to get better at it, than read "Brainspotting" too.I have used this treatment for every conceivable issue I can think of: trauma, relationship issues,grief, sports performance and creativity enhancement. I have used it with firefighters, police officers, combat veterans, 9/11 survivors, athletes, artists, children, couples and people who have survived accidents and abuse. It is remarkable and the book tells you everything you need to know about this terrific resource and therapeutic tool.Brainspotting can be a stand alone treatment or it can be integrated with other therapies along with the background and experience of the therapist. It is very much a client centered therapy and works consciously and unconsciously on thoughts, memories, emotions and physiological reactions or body memories.Simply put, Brainspotting works and works extremely well. It never ceases to amaze me how this treatment can help others to help heal themselves. As David says in this wonderful book, "Where you look affects how you feel."The Rev. Thomas E. Taylor, M.Div, LMSWLindenhurst, NY