Healing from Trauma: Understanding EMDR and Brainspotting

Trauma is something many children, teens, and adults experience at some point in their lives. Trauma can come from many different experiences, including accidents, medical procedures, bullying, abuse, violence, sudden losses, or ongoing stress at home or school. These experiences can affect how a person thinks, feels, and responds to everyday situations. After trauma, some people may feel anxious, sad, easily overwhelmed, or stuck replaying upsetting memories. Others may notice changes in sleep, mood, behavior, or increased tension in their bodies.

At Georgia Family Therapy in Atlanta, we often meet families who are looking for gentle, effective ways to help themselves or their children heal after difficult experiences. The good news is that healing is possible. Trauma-informed therapies such as EMDR and Brainspotting are evidence-based approaches that help the brain and body process overwhelming experiences in a safe and supportive way, allowing people to move toward relief and recovery.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR therapy was developed in the late 1980s and was originally designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over time, research has shown that EMDR can also be helpful for children, teens, and adults experiencing anxiety, fears, distress related to past experiences, and negative beliefs about themselves.

When a stressful or overwhelming experience occurs, the brain may not fully process the event in the moment. Normally, during sleep, especially REM sleep, the brain organizes and stores memories so they feel safely in the past. Traumatic memories, however, can remain unprocessed and continue to feel emotionally intense or present-day. This may lead to intrusive memories, strong emotional reactions, avoidance, or feeling constantly on edge. EMDR helps the brain process these memories more adaptively so they no longer feel as distressing or overwhelming.

What to expect in an EMDR session

In EMDR therapy, the therapist helps the client focus briefly on a distressing memory while also using bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements. The client follows the therapist’s fingers or a light moving back and forth. Other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or sounds, may also be used when appropriate.

While focusing on the memory, the client notices thoughts, emotions, and body sensations without needing to describe the experience in detail. Over time, the emotional intensity of the memory often decreases, and new, more balanced beliefs about the self may naturally emerge.

EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase approach that includes careful preparation, skill-building, processing, and closure. Sessions can sometimes feel emotionally challenging during the processing phase, but the therapist works to ensure the client feels supported and grounded. Many people report feeling relief, increased calm, and greater emotional flexibility as therapy progresses.

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a trauma-informed therapy developed in the early 2000s. Like EMDR, Brainspotting is used to help children, teens, and adults process trauma, anxiety, and emotionally overwhelming experiences. Brainspotting is based on the understanding that trauma can be stored in the body as well as the brain.

Unprocessed trauma may show up as physical sensations such as tightness, heaviness, discomfort, or pain. Brainspotting uses the natural connection between eye position and brain activity to help access areas where these experiences may be held. A “brainspot” refers to a specific eye position that is linked to emotional or physical activation.

What to expect in a Brainspotting session?

In Brainspotting, the therapist takes a supportive and attuned role while allowing the client to lead the pace of the session. The client is encouraged to notice whatever arises, including thoughts, emotions, images, or body sensations. There is no pressure to follow a script or talk through details.

During the session, the therapist slowly guides the client’s gaze to help identify a brainspot connected to the issue being worked on. Eye positions are held gently and steadily rather than moved rapidly. As the client stays focused on this position, experiences may naturally shift or deepen. Many clients report gaining insight, emotional release, and a sense of calm or lightness following sessions.

EMDR vs. Brainspotting

Both EMDR and Brainspotting are brain-based, trauma-informed therapies that help people process difficult experiences in a safe therapeutic environment. Both approaches support the brain and body in reducing emotional distress and increasing resilience.

One of the main differences between the two is structure. EMDR follows a more structured and directive protocol, with clear phases and active guidance from the therapist. Brainspotting is more open-ended and is often experienced as gentler, allowing the client to move at their own pace. The therapist tends to take a more active role in EMDR, while Brainspotting emphasizes attunement and allowing the body’s responses to guide the work. The choice between EMDR and Brainspotting depends on individual needs, comfort level, and therapeutic goals.

Conclusion

EMDR and Brainspotting are effective trauma therapy approaches that help people heal by processing distressing memories and reducing emotional and physical symptoms related to trauma. Both therapies work with the brain and body to support long-term healing and emotional well-being. Because every person’s experience is unique, what works best can vary. A trained trauma therapist can help determine which approach may be the best fit for each individual or family.

We offer EMDR and Brainspotting therapy in Sandy Springs and the greater Atlanta area, supporting individuals and families as they move toward healing at their own pace.