Brainspotting Therapy for Addiction & Mental Health

Sometimes the experiences that shape us most deeply are stored beyond the reach of words. Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic approach that accesses trauma and emotional pain at a neurobiological level—helping you process what talk therapy alone often cannot. At Seasons in Malibu, we use Brainspotting as part of our integrative treatment approach to help clients heal from the inside out.

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting was developed by Dr. David Grand, a therapist who discovered that where you look affects how you feel. During a session, your therapist helps you locate specific eye positions—called brainspots—that correlate with stored trauma or emotional activation in the brain. By holding your gaze on these points while maintaining a mindful, focused state, your brain can access and release deeply held pain that may have been driving addictive behaviors, anxiety, depression, or other struggles.

It’s a gentler approach than some trauma therapies, and many clients find it easier to tolerate because it doesn’t require you to verbally recount painful experiences in detail.

How Brainspotting Supports Recovery

Addiction rarely exists in isolation. Beneath substance use, there’s often a layer of pain—trauma, grief, shame, or experiences you may not even consciously remember—that keeps pulling you back into destructive patterns. Brainspotting helps access these deeper layers, allowing healing to happen at the source rather than just managing symptoms on the surface.

At Seasons in Malibu, our highly trained therapists use Brainspotting alongside other evidence-based modalities as part of a personalized treatment plan. Whether you’re working through childhood trauma, the aftermath of a painful relationship, or experiences you’ve never been able to name, Brainspotting can help you move through what’s been keeping you stuck.

If you or someone you love is struggling with unresolved trauma or addiction, we’re here to help. Call us at 424-235-2009 for a confidential consultation.

What to Expect During Brainspotting Sessions

Sessions typically begin with your therapist helping you identify an issue or feeling you want to work on. Using a pointer or their finger, they’ll guide your eyes slowly across your field of vision while you notice where you feel the most activation in your body. Once a brainspot is located, you’ll hold your gaze there while your therapist supports you in staying present with whatever arises—sensations, emotions, memories, or simply stillness.

The process is often deeply calming, even when working with difficult material. Many clients describe a sense of release or clarity they hadn’t been able to access through other forms of therapy.

A Deeper Path to Lasting Recovery

Healing from addiction means more than changing behaviors—it means resolving the pain that made escape feel necessary in the first place. Brainspotting offers a way to reach those deeper places, creating space for genuine transformation and a more grounded, present life.

If you’re ready to explore how Brainspotting and our comprehensive treatment approach can support your recovery, reach out to our admissions team at 424-235-2009 or contact us online. All consultations are confidential.