What is Brainspotting?

by Mary Morrow

In the realm of mental health treatment, innovative approaches continually emerge, offering hope and healing to those struggling with various psychological challenges.

Brainspotting, a relatively recently developed therapeutic technique, has gained attention for its effectiveness in addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and many other issues.

Developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, Brainspotting harnesses the brain's innate capacity to heal itself, providing a profound avenue for self-discovery and emotional release.

At its core, Brainspotting operates on the idea that where we look influences how we feel. Our eyes play a crucial role in processing emotions and memories. When we focus our gaze on specific points in our visual field, we can access deep-seated emotions and trauma stored within the brain. These points, known as Brainspots, are indicative of areas where unresolved issues reside within the brain.

Unlike traditional talk therapies, Brainspotting bypasses the need for extensive verbal expression, making it particularly suitable for clients who struggle to articulate their emotions or those who have experienced language-based trauma. Instead, the clinician guides the client's gaze to explore various points in their visual field, allowing the brain to naturally process and release stored emotional energy. This process often leads to profound insights, emotional release, and a sense of relief as unresolved trauma is gradually discharged.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Brainspotting is its versatility and applicability across a wide range of psychological conditions. Brainspotting can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. By accessing the brain-body connection, Brainspotting empowers clients to access their innate capacity for healing and resilience.

Here are some specific examples of issues that Brainspotting can potentially help alleviate:

1. Trauma: Brainspotting is highly effective in addressing trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), childhood trauma, and other forms of emotional or physical trauma. It allows survivors to process and integrate traumatic memories in a safe and supportive environment, leading to healing and resolution.

2. Anxiety and Depression: Individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, or other mood disorders can benefit from Brainspotting's ability to access and release underlying emotions and beliefs contributing to their symptoms. By targeting the neural networks associated with these conditions, Brainspotting helps alleviate distress and restore emotional balance.

3. Chronic Pain: Chronic pain often has psychological components, including trauma, stress, and emotional distress, which can exacerbate physical symptoms. Brainspotting can help chronic pain patients address these underlying psychological factors, leading to improved pain management and quality of life.

4. Personal Growth and Self-Exploration: Brainspotting is not limited to treating clinical conditions but can also be valuable for individuals seeking personal growth, self-awareness, and deeper understanding of themselves. By accessing subconscious beliefs and emotions, Brainspotting can facilitate profound insights and promote personal transformation.

In addition to all of the incredible benefits listed above, as a clinician, I love Brainspotting because of its “magic” (many of my clients have begun referring to the Brainspotting pointer as a “magic wand”). Clients are understandably a little wary of the intervention before our first Brainspotting session, but even after just one session, many clients note feeling more clarity, relief, and often can’t wait to try it again.

That is the magic of Brainspotting I’m referring to - that feeling of hope that I see so many clients leave with time and time again.

Counselor Competence: The Importance of Neurodiversity Affirming Care

by Emerson Ryder

In the ever-evolving landscape of mental health care, the importance of therapists being competent around neurodiversity cannot be overstated.

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in neurological traits, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. As society becomes more aware and accepting of neurodivergent individuals, therapists play a pivotal role in ensuring that their practices are not only inclusive but also competent in addressing the unique needs of neurodiverse clients.

One of the key aspects of competency in this context is understanding and embracing the diversity of neurodevelopmental conditions. Each neurodivergent individual experiences the world in a distinct way, and therapists must be open, curious and compassionate toward the intricacies of experiences to provide effective support. A client that identifies as autistic may have sensory sensitivities that can significantly impact their daily life; therefore, an affirming therapist should recognize these sensitivities and adapt their therapeutic approach accordingly, creating a safe and comfortable environment for the client.

Moreover, competent therapists acknowledge the strengths that often accompany neurodivergent individuals. Rather than focusing solely on improving or delaying deficits, they recognize and leverage the unique talents and abilities of individuals. By adopting a strengths-based approach, therapists empower their clients to harness their potential, fostering a positive therapeutic relationship that promotes growth and self-discovery.

Effective communication is another crucial aspect of competency in working with neurodivergent clients. Neurodivergent individuals may have different manifestations of body language, paralanguage and interactions socially that are seen as challenging against neurotypical ways of being. Competent therapists actively listen, adapt their communication strategies, and tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of each client.

Cultural competence is an integral part of providing mental health care, and neurodiversity should be recognized as a unique cultural aspect. Therapists must strive to educate themselves on the experiences, challenges, and strengths associated with various neurodivergent conditions. This knowledge not only enhances their ability to provide effective therapy but also contributes to reducing stigma and promoting a more inclusive society.

In addition to individual therapy, competent mental health therapists can play a vital role in advocating for systemic changes. This includes striving for more inclusive policies within mental health organizations and the workplace, raising awareness about neurodiversity, and participating in training programs that enhance their competence in working with neurodivergent clients.

The importance of mental health therapists being competent around neurodiversity cannot be emphasized enough. By embracing the unique perspectives, strengths, and challenges of neurodivergent individuals, therapists contribute to a more inclusive and supportive mental health landscape.

As the field continues to evolve, competency in neurodiversity should be at the forefront of therapist education and practice starting at masters level counseling programs, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile, has access to quality mental health care.

3 Reasons Why You Should Consider Working With A Graduate Intern Therapist

Have you seen the term “graduate student” or “graduate intern” on our website but feel confused about what that actually means or what the benefits may be? We’ve got you covered!

Graduate interns have already completed a Bachelors degree and are currently completing requirements for a Masters degree, typically in either Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Social Work. Before ever seeing clients, interns have completed the vast majority of their coursework and have also done many role plays/demonstrations of their clinical skills.

In addition, some interns may already have experience working in the mental health field in roles such as being a mental health technician or behavior specialist for a treatment center. Or, they may already be certified in another therapeutic role, like our graduate intern Courtney who is a board-certified music therapist but is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

While, of course, graduate interns don’t have the same level of experience as someone who has been fully licensed for many years, they are still able to provide an excellent quality of care (that can sometimes even be MORE effective).

Here are three reasons why you should consider working with a graduate intern therapist:

1. The session fee for graduate interns is affordable and workable for most budgets.

   At The Gaia Center, our standard intern rate is $60/session, and our interns also offer some lower-fee spots for folks based on need. We value making therapy accessible, and we have been able to make therapy financially possible for many folks through our graduate internship program.

   This is also a great option for folks who have insurance but either can’t find someone in-network who specializes in their needs or would prefer for insurance not to dictate their care, as our intern rates are pretty comparable to many insurance copays.

2. Working with a graduate intern is like getting three therapists for the price of one!

   Graduate interns receive weekly supervision through The Gaia Center, in addition to supervision through their university.

   During supervision, our interns consult with their supervisor on their clients’ needs/progress and receive valuable feedback and wisdom that they are in turn able to share with their clients.

   So, you’re not only getting your therapist’s perspective but also the perspective of other more experienced clinicians, with a significantly lower fee than what you would pay for sessions with a licensed clinician.

3. Research has shown that therapists early in their career/training can sometimes be more effective than therapists who have been in the field for many years.

   Newer therapists are often more eager to gain knowledge and try new things than some more “seasoned” therapists who have been in the field longer and may be more “set in their ways.” In addition, their training in school reflects approaches and perspectives that are more updated than those that therapists who have been in the field for many years may have received.

   Interns are also often able to access trainings for a lower cost than licensed therapists, so an intern therapist may be able to engage in a specialized training that would be a bit more challenging for a licensed clinician to afford.

   In addition, our clinicians at The Gaia Center have unlimited access to specialized trainings for modalities and presenting concerns including, but not limited to: eating disorders, trauma, ADHD, sex therapy, relationship therapy (including Gottman Method), ACT, somatic therapy, experiential therapy, parts work, Safe and Sound Protocol, and more.

Whether you’re looking for more financially accessible therapy or you’re just looking for a fresh, new perspective, our graduate interns are eager to support you in your healing journey – click here to get started.

New Year, New Intentions

By Katelyn Mase

As we welcome in the new year, there is, for many of us, a unique sense of readiness for change.

Colloquially referred to as New Year’s resolutions, we view the start of a new year as a time to shed old habits, welcome new, “healthier” choices, or even change something dramatically about ourselves.

Making healthy, positive changes seems like a no-brainer, and, yet, the rhetoric around the futility of New Year’s Resolutions abounds – societally, we have found ourselves at a point where we joke about and almost expect “failure” of our resolutions.

Perhaps, it is time to shift our thinking about the opportunities the transformative nature of the new year presents.

Think for a moment about a resolution you would like to make. 

Is your resolution overly or unrealistically specific? Read 50 books, go to the gym everyday, quit social media, travel through Europe?

What if part of what makes sticking to a resolution so difficult is the narrow definition of success?

With the seemingly continuous shrinking of the attention span in the age of the ✨ metaverse ✨ and a narrow definition of success that almost insists on delayed gratification tolerance, we are set up for failure before the new year even begins.

So, what can you do?

Try expanding your definition of success by setting New Year’s Intentions instead!

In contrast to resolutions which usually emphasize drastic change, often in an unrealistic, shame-filled way, intentions are an extension of the values we hope to embody. When the focus shifts to our values, the definition of success expands dramatically. Suddenly, we have limitless options for what success looks like available to us!

To set New Year’s intentions, look to the root of your old resolutions.

Does that sound tricky or vague? Let’s look at an example:

If your resolution was something akin to read 50 books, go to the gym everyday, quit social media, or travel through Europe, perhaps being more mindful with your time, technology use, or money is an appropriate intention.

Alternatively, maybe trying to focus on what makes you feel good this year feels more aligned to you.

We could generate many alternatives to these intentions, but whatever you decide to call it, suddenly these separate resolutions morph into a single, expansive definition of success 🤩

When you ask yourself “What would make me feel good today?” or “How can I be intentional with my time right now?”, there can consistently be an answer that feels accessible to you at that moment, opening the door for little wins every day.

So, I encourage you to try setting New Year’s intentions instead of resolutions this year and see the positive shifts that may result!

3 Tips to Prioritize Self-Care During Finals Season

By Lauren McGuire

Holiday blues got you down? Finals season got you stressed out? This time of the semester can bring heightened stress for anyone. It’s important to take care of your mind and body during this busy season.

Try these three tips to practice some necessary self-care:

1. Practice deep breathing

   Notice how your body feels when your lungs are full. And while you exhale, pay attention to the release that happens. Take note of any emotions you feel. Allow yourself to feel them without judgement.

2. Get some good sleep

   Sleeping well is a way to thank your body for carrying you through the day. And when you lie down to sleep, let go of the day’s troubles and rest. Drinking chamomile tea, diffusing lavender oil, and yoga are all natural ways to help improve sleep.

3. Practice self-compassion

   Your grades do not define your worth as a person. While it may seem like this exam is the most important thing in the world, you matter more than the sum of your work. Practicing a few daily affirmations is an easy way to encourage yourself while also being kind.

Remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and a much deserved break is within grasp – you’ve got this!

3 Tips to Ensure a Self-Care Conscious Semester

By Becca Lappi

The start of a fresh semester is known to be a whirlwind few weeks, both leading up to and settling into your new normal for the next four months. Regardless of the emotions this may be bringing up, it is a crucial time to be implementing self-care techniques to ensure you start off the semester right.

Here are 3 tips to ensure a self-care conscious semester:

1. Develop a healthy routine

Creating a well-structured daily routine will do wonders in increasing your well-being! Routines can help ensure regular sleep patterns and meal times, as well as creating built-in time for other important daily activities, such as studying and relaxation. More often than not, creating these routines will help to keep you on track and organized in a multitude of aspects of your life. These can look different for everyone, so it’s important to create an individual routine that works best for you and your personal goals! 

2. Get connected

Connecting with others is crucial for maintaining your mental health throughout the semester in a plethora of ways. Whether this looks like seeking out on-campus groups and organizations to find like-minded people, connecting with new classmates, or even building relationships with professors and other faculty, having individuals around to lean on in times of need will help you navigate this semester with ease. 

3. Practice self-compassion

College can be both incredibly exciting and overwhelming, and it’s important that you treat yourself with kindness and understanding as you navigate the semester ahead. Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, make mistakes, and ask for help when needed. Try meditation practices like this in times where self-compassion is needed!