EMDR Therapy vs Brainspotting: Why Your Brain Needs More Than Talk Therapy

What is brainspotting therapy and how does it actually work? Dr. Jenny Hughes, licensed clinical psychologist and trauma expert, explains this revolutionary approach to healing trauma — including how it differs from EMDR, why where you look affects how you feel, and what happens during a real brainspotting session. In this interview, Dr. Hughes breaks down the science behind brainspotting: how it accesses the subcortical parts of your brain where trauma is stored, why you don't need to talk through your trauma for it to work, and the accidental discovery by David Grand that changed trauma therapy forever. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Intro: What Is Brainspotting? 1:33 — Myth or Fact Lightning Round 5:11 — The Accidental Discovery (David Grand & the Skater) 8:15 — EMDR vs. Brainspotting: Quick Overview 8:49 — How Brainspotting Actually Works 10:08 — The "Inside Window" & Finding Your Brain Spot 10:52 — Focused Mindfulness & the Subcortical Brain 12:26 — The Pointer, Variations & Therapist Training 13:33 — Why Therapists Experience Brainspotting First 15:21 — EMDR vs. Brainspotting: The Key Differences 16:50 — What Changes After Brainspotting Therapy 18:15 — Which Therapy Is Right for You? 🔗 ABOUT DR. JENNY HUGHES Dr. Jenny Hughes is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and evidence-based therapies including Brainspotting and EMDR. 🎙️ ABOUT RECOVERABLE RECOVERable answers the internet's most-asked questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction recovery — through expert interviews you can actually understand. Find the right treatment for you at Recovery.com https://www.recovery.com