05.1 Brainspotting with substance abusing clients
Jeff Ryan, JSR Therapeutic Consulting, USA
If recovery or abstinence from substance abuse happens then it suggests that neuroplasticity could be an active agent for this change. Brainspotting seems to activate the brains natural neuroplasticity so should assist with promoting change with those struggling with substance abuse. A brief presentation on a three stage methodology of conceptualizing and applying Brainspotting while working with people presenting with substance abuse along with a case study of how this methodology was applied to a specific case.
05.2 “Taming your crocodile” – a playful way to reduce relapse, by using BSP along with a metaphor for addiction
Roby Abeles, Brainspotting Australia Pacific, Australia
Participants will learn how to: use the“Taming Your Crocodile”metaphor for addiction, to help clients externalize their addiction; explain to the client, the secret of how they can“Tame their Crocodile”, which means identify their triggers, and gain control over their relapse thinking, emotions and behaviours; weave the“Crocodile” metaphor with BSP; find the“Crocodile Tamer”brainspot; how to use props and inexpensive toys to make the Crocodile metaphor more real, for the client. Topics that will be discussed: the effectiveness of working with Empowerment in Recovery vs. Surrender in Recovery; externalization reduces shame of past failures, which allows them back inside their window of tolerance; staying sober and allowing the brain to go into solution finding mode.
05.3 Brainspotting and sustainable weight loss: lifestyle transformation beyond the diet
Drew Brazier, Optimal Solutions Colorado, USA
Billions of dollars have been spent on diets; however, less than 10% of diets succeed. In fact, most diets do not measure success beyond one year. Dr. Brazier has worked with over 300 participants and measured 68% success. He has also lost 160lbs and sustained that transformation. Dr. Brazier will not present a protocol or program. Instead, a dynamic process that includes specific Brainspotting techniques will be discussed. Brainspotting and other physiological techniques help clients work through trauma associated to food, exercise, and sleep. Such techniques also allow clients to work through cravings and create sustainable motivation. In addition, overcoming night eating, conquering sugar cravings, and motivating clients to maintain a balanced lifestyle will be presented.
05.4 Interventions corporelles et brainspotting – Brainspotting avec stimulations corporelles
Body interventions and brainspotting – Brainspotting with integrated body stimulations
Bernard Mayer, Institut Européen de Thérapies Somato-Psychiques (IETSP), Paris, France
The aim of this presentation is to introduce a new therapeutic approach which has been integrated into Brainspotting. This Bottom-Up intervention is applied to clinical cases of simple and complex Traumas while the patient is highly activated. It is particularly suitable to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) cases, PTSD cases and double-bind cases. The therapist uses a manual intervention; which can be direct or indirect, and passes through the fast circuits (high activation) of the reptilian system, as does pain or trauma. This specific stimulation can express itself by different means, using neurophysiological techniques coming from brief and flexible manual therapies (osteopathy, chiropractic, shiatsu…). The patient, sitting or standing, is focused on his activating Brainspot with its cognitive, emotional and somatic charge. With the patient’s previous agreement, while the patient is activated, it is here that the therapist will practice a body stimulation (cf. videos) and a focused prescription with the purpose of accompanying the changes step by step at the psychic and somatic levels. In our clinical practice, the change can be made extremely fast: the patient is often surprised and experiences it immediately. The Brainspots become neutral and often transform… For better efficiency, it is important to teach the patient beforehand how to imagine his future life without overwhelming sensations and emotions. Note: this work is performed only when the patient is “blocked”in high activation.
