Brainspotting Therapy

Brainspotting is a trauma-informed therapy that uses eye positioning to help the brain access and process stored emotional and physical pain. It was developed by David Grand as an offshoot of EMDR, but it’s more body-led, less structured, and often better tolerated by people with nervous system sensitivity.

For people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, Long COVID or trauma-linked illness, Brainspotting can help gently shift the body out of freeze states and support emotional regulation without needing to analyse or re-tell difficult experiences.

The core idea is that where you look affects how you feel. During a session, you and your therapist will find a “brainspot” – an eye position linked to an unresolved experience or emotion. While focusing on that spot, your body and brain are given space to process what’s stuck, without words or pressure.

This helps regulate the nervous system, reduce emotional overwhelm, and create space for healing. The therapist may also track physical responses (like breath or eye movements) to guide the process. It’s gentle, slow, and often deeply calming.

EMDR:

Uses bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements) to help reprocess traumatic memories.
Developed specifically for PTSD, but now used for anxiety, phobias, and more.
More structured and protocol-driven (with set phases).
Can feel intense for some people, especially with nervous system dysregulation.

Brainspotting:

Developed from EMDR by Dr. David Grand.
Uses fixed eye gaze (you hold your eyes on a “brainspot”) to access deep emotional processing.
Less structured, more intuitive.
Tends to be gentler, which can be better if you're already hypersensitive or easily overwhelmed.
Often used for trauma, chronic pain, and nervous system regulation.

Trauma and PTSD
ME/CFS
Fibromyalgia
Long COVID
Chronic pain
Anxiety, panic, and freeze states
Emotional shutdown
Nervous system dysregulation

Brainspotting can be helpful for those who find talking therapy too intense
You don’t need to “dig into” trauma or explain everything out loud
It’s often described as subtle but powerful
The therapy is delivered by trained practitioners and can be done in person or online
Not everyone feels results immediately—it can be a gradual process
It may bring up emotion but is usually contained and supported in the session

Common themes among people who’ve benefited:

Feel stuck in survival mode or emotional numbness
Have tried EMDR but found it overwhelming
Want to work on emotional healing without re-living trauma
Are curious about somatic or brain-body approaches
Need something quiet, safe, and guided

Typical Costs for Individual Therapy

UK: £50–£120 per session (most commonly £70–£90)
Europe: €60–€110 per session, depending on country and therapist experience
USA: $100–$250 USD per session, with higher rates in major cities
Australia/New Zealand: $120–$220 AUD per session
Sessions are usually 50–60 minutes; some practitioners offer extended 90-minute sessions at a higher rate

Paid Programmes & Resources

Brainspotting trainings for therapists: from £500 GBP / €570 EUR / $645 USD / $990 AUD for a 3-day Level 1 course (not typically aimed at clients)
Client-focused self-help books such as “The Power of Brainspotting” – £12 GBP / €14 EUR / $16 USD / $25 AUD
Guided online group sessions (where available): £20–£50 GBP per participant

Discount-Friendly Directory

Many Brainspotting practitioners offer sliding-scale pricing for low-income clients, especially those on disability or long-term illness benefits
Group Brainspotting sessions or workshops can significantly reduce costs per session
Some community health centres and non-profits in the UK, USA, and Australia run Brainspotting at reduced rates or free as part of trauma recovery programmes
Worth asking directly if you live with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, POTS, chronic pain, long COVID, or other chronic conditions - some practitioners offer hardship rates or illness-related discounts on request