Visual Field Processing

Visual Field Processing is a trauma-focused psychotherapy developed by Dr. David Grand (under the branded name Brainspotting) in 2003. It emerged from his work with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) when Grand noticed that a client displayed a strong emotional reaction when her gaze paused at a specific point in her visual field. He hypothesized that where a person looks affects what thoughts and emotions they are able to access, and how they are able to access, connect, and change those thoughts. This insight led to the development of Visual Field Processing.

The treatment is based on the premise that eye position can access areas in the brain where traumatic or emotionally charged material is stored. Therapist and client work together to find fixed eye positions that correlate with the activation of a neural network holding consequential emotional experiences. When the client maintains that gaze, emotional and somatic processing can occur, allowing the body and brain to release stored trauma and other maladaptive emotional burdens.

These positions are often found by observing reflexive cues such as eye twitches, facial movements, or changes in breathing. Once found, the therapist leads the client in maintaining that gaze while supporting them in mindfully observing whatever thoughts, feelings, or sensations arise. This process typically involves bilateral stimulation (generally auditory) to enhance processing. Visual Field Processing tends to be slower, more body-focused, and less directive than EMDR, allowing deeper access to subcortical brain areas involved in trauma, but the two modalities are closely related and complement each other well.

This therapy is used to treat a wide range of psychological and physical conditions, including PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and chronic pain. It is also effective in performance enhancement for athletes, artists, and professionals. It is particularly beneficial for clients who struggle with verbal expression or feel overwhelmed by traditional talk therapies, as it offers a neurologically grounded, nonverbal path to healing and emotional regulation.