Do You Feel Trapped by Past Trauma? Here’s How Brain-Based Therapy Can Help

If you feel trapped by past trauma, you’re not alone. Trauma affects millions, and the effects can be lasting, often impacting daily life in ways that may feel hard to explain or resolve. Trauma isn’t only psychological; it changes the brain and body in ways that can create patterns of anxiety, fear, or sadness that may seem unbreakable. Research has shown that trauma changes the brain’s wiring, particularly in areas responsible for memory, stress response, and emotional regulation (van der Kolk, 2014).

Fortunately, therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting offer new hope. Rather than focusing only on talking through the traumatic event, these therapies leverage the brain’s natural ability to heal itself. EMDR uses specific eye movements to “reprocess” traumatic memories, helping the brain to store these memories in a way that no longer triggers painful responses (Shapiro, 1989). Brainspotting, developed by Dr. David Grand, is another powerful method that works by locating points in a client’s visual field that access trauma stored deep within the brain. Research has found Brainspotting to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression (Hilton et al., 2017).

In my practice, I have seen clients experience profound relief. Many describe feeling “lighter,” with reduced symptoms and greater control over their emotions. Brain-based therapy offers a pathway to genuine transformation, allowing people to live freer, more fulfilled lives.

Resources:

• Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score

• Shapiro, F. (1989). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures.

• Hilton, L., et al. (2017). Brainspotting: The Open Window to the Brain.