If our brains change during therapy, perhaps the mystery of yawning is a helpful way to integrate these profound changes.
Understanding what creates calm, as well as the science behind trauma and recovery, is important to long term health. Jennifer Delaney, LPC , a body-centered psychotherapist certified in Brainspotting, explores why humans and animals yawn, and how yawning stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Read the full article here.
Watch this video about Boulder triathlete Sam Long (and son of RMBI member and Brainspotting practitioner Bette Sheldon Long PHD) who will be competing in the Professional Triathletes Organization’s 2020 Championship December 6, 2020, in Daytona, FL. Sam participated as an athlete in a 2016 Phase 3 training with David Grand – he has been doing brainspotting since he was 11 and worked with Dr Grand the year he went pro.
“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties
I was born to privilege that I did not see
Lack of pigment in my skin, won a free and easy in
I didn’t know it, but my way was paved.”
-John Gorka – “Innocence and Privilege”
RMBI recognizes the deep, ongoing trauma which racism causes for members of the Black community who have experienced and continue to be subject to systemic injustice and inequality.
RMBI stands in solidarity with Black Americans and all people of color at this eye-opening and tragically critical time. Wherever each of us is on the journey to understanding the inherent racism in our society and working to combat it, as an organization we want to foster discussion, understanding and healing. This begins with listening, and believing what those who have experienced the trauma are saying. White people cannot presume to know how to bridge centuries of injustices. As in every good Brainspotting session, we welcome staying in the tail of the comet and waiting – before talking ourselves. For many of us “I didn’t know, but my way was paved” seems to fit.
As Brainspotting professionals, RMBI members are positioned to help individuals cope with the effects of this ongoing trauma. Please commit with us to doing this important work and let us know if you have specific ideas on how we can be a force for change.
You can view a podcast by Dr. David Grand and Dr. Mondo from 6/16/20 on “Helping White Ears Listen to Truths About Racial Injustice”
We hope you find this document useful – click on the link below to see the article. Please take a moment to find out more about Dr. Frey and her upcoming trainings in the United States and Canada at drpiefrey.com
by Jennifer Delaney MA, NCC Psychotherapist, Boulder
OwlHeart Healing Arts owlhearthealingarts.com
Brainspotting shares similarities with traditional talk therapies, and there are marked differences. The main commonality is that “talking” is also part of Brainspotting, especially at the beginning and end of a session. Talking lights up the neocortex as we report, analyze and, ultimately, integrate important insights and information.
I’m going to spend some time here explaining the main difference that makes Brainspotting so effective.
The body speaks
Brainspotting can initially be disconcerting to people accustomed to “figuring things out.” Chronic thinkers feel confused and even somewhat threatened by the body-centered process. It can feel like not enough is going on to be successful. I encourage thinkers to notice the agitation coming up.
Problem thinking
Most thinking is overthinking initiated by the primal brain and not the creative and logical neocortical brain. This kind of thinking is part of the problem and not the solution.
Overthinking distracts from emotions, so if you take away the constant think-think- thinking, you might feel exposed or vulnerable and uncomfortable. Brainspotting therapists are pretty safe people, therefore, ultimately, clients’ bodies become willing to trust the process, especially when clients begin to see and feel the wonderful benefits in their lives.
by Cynthia Schwartzberg, LCSW, Atlanta, GA Southeast Brainspotting Institute, www.cynthasis.com
This blog post describes a peak performance Brainspotting session by Dr. David Grand with a professional triathlete on July 17, 2016, during Phase 3 in Boulder, CO.
Continue reading Peak Performance with Dr. David Grand and Sam Long
by Lisa Larson
Don’t have an agenda or you have a bias. Therapist needs to be a blank slate.
If you are a minute too late with an intervention it is better than a minute too soon.
by Roby Abeles PsyD
by Steve Sawyer, LCSW CSAC, Brainspotting Trainer, Clinical Director/Co-Founder of New Vision Wilderness CALO Programs
Brainspotting (BSP) has been receiving international acclaim over the past few years. At this year’s conference in Washington DC, I had the chance to collaborate with both Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting’s developer, and renowned Neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges. Dr. Grand kicked off a Creativity Seminar filled with demonstrations of BSP work with actors, singers, and writers and followed with an intensive Brainspotting seminar that culminated in a Keynote presentation by Stephen Porges PHD.