This Modern Therapy Technique Finally Helped Me Release Years of Stored Trauma
Many of us have grown up in households where strength is emphasized and vulnerability is often tucked away. We’re taught to endure, to push forward, and to navigate life with resilience, even when unspoken traumas weigh heavy on our shoulders. From the pressures of breaking toxic cycles to honoring our roots while finding our own identity, we carry not only our personal struggles, but also the inherited pain of previous generations.
As we grow older and the demands of adulting begin to take over, the weight of past traumas may show up in ways we may not fully understand. It can present as anxiety, a sense of being stuck, or physical tension that no amount of self-care seems to soothe.
When I first heard about Brainspotting, a therapeutic technique designed to help process trauma and deepen emotional healing, I was intrigued. Could this tool finally help unpack the emotional layers so many of us carry?
To learn more, I decided to give it a try and reached out to Patricia Peña, a bilingual, first-generation, Mexican-American licensed marriage and family therapist, with 17 years of experience. She is not only passionate about Brainspotting, but truly loves the work she does and serving the Latinx community. This is why I knew I wanted to speak with her directly. In our conversation, Patricia shared the origins of this groundbreaking approach, how it works, and why it’s transforming how people heal from trauma.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a relatively new therapeutic technique developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It’s based on the idea that where you look impacts how you feel. The process involves identifying specific eye positions—referred to as “brainspots”— that correlate with areas of emotional or physical distress. These brainspots serve as access points to unresolved trauma, allowing the body and brain to process and release it.
According to Patricia, she believes Brainspotting can be more effective at times than traditional talk therapy. This is because Brainspotting taps into the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It allows clients to bypass the cognitive brain and directly access the emotional and physical layers of trauma stored in the nervous system.
Unlike talk therapy, which primarily engages the conscious mind, Brainspotting works on a deeper, more intuitive level. Clients often sit quietly, focusing on sensations, memories, or emotions that surface as the therapist guides them through the process. The simplicity of the technique makes it accessible to a wide range of people, regardless of their level of self-awareness or familiarity with therapy.
What Are the Benefits of Brainspotting?
For those struggling with unresolved trauma, Brainspotting offers a powerful path to healing. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and even alleviate physical symptoms related to trauma, such as chronic pain or fatigue.
One of the most unique aspects of Brainspotting is its ability to help individuals process generational or cultural trauma—those unspoken burdens passed down through families and communities. “It’s particularly effective for clients who feel like they’ve tried everything but still feel stuck,” Patricia explains.
Participants often report a sense of relief, clarity, and emotional freedom after sessions. Learning about it’s benefits, I decided to have a session with Patricia myself.
My Experience
Patricia and I met via Zoom (sessions can be done in-person or virtually) where I prepared myself given the instructions sent. I came into the meeting not knowing exactly what to expect, but with the intention to break-through a reoccurring challenge I experience which was getting in the way of my career.
I made sure to relax so that I could have the greatest results. This allowed me to surrender to the experience rather than attempting to control the outcome. Patricia had me stare at a pointer and listen to specific music. Everything had a purpose in order to effectively work.
After we completed, I wiped away many tears and felt a major sense of relief. It was as if a weight had lifted from my spirit. The session allowed me to understand where my block originated from and effectively release it. I experienced a burst of energy that day and the days to follow. Weeks after the session, I was still feeling the benefits of it.
Final Verdict
One thing I loved about Brainspotting is that it doesn’t require you to verbalize trauma. This makes it a gentle option for those who find it difficult to revisit painful memories aloud. Trying Brainspotting was a deeply personal journey for me. While the idea of staring at a pointer or finding a “brainspot” might sound unconventional, the experience felt surprisingly intuitive. As I reflect on the emotional shifts I experienced, I realized how powerful we are in being able to heal our own traumas.
For women in this modern world—especially Modern Brown Girls navigating the daily challenges of work, family, and adulting—Brainspotting offers a profound opportunity to heal, grow, and step into a more authentic version of ourselves.
If you would like to work with Patricia Peña, you can check out her Psychology Today page. She can also refer out to other therapists in different states.