BRAINSPOTTING: PHASE 1

Brainspotting: Phase 1

Introductory Level

Three-day 21-hour in-person training.

OVERVIEW

Brainspotting is a brain-based therapy based on the hypothesis that specific eye positions designated as “brainspots” activate and access specific areas of the midbrain that allow for the reprocessing and releasing of core neurophysiological reactions to trauma-related and other psychological experiences.

In addition, brainspotting is built on a model that emphasizes therapist-client presence and attunement in the healing process. As an open and integrative model, brainspotting is adaptable to many different areas of specialization and can be integrated with other treatment models.

In this introductory Brainspotting: Phase 1 training, participants will learn four basic brainspotting techniques. In addition, participants will receive an overview of the:

• standards of care and professional practice for brainspotting practitioners,
• research that supports the primary assumptions of brainspotting; and
• challenges of research and evidence-based treatment for conditions such as Complex PTSD

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants of this introductory level course will be able to:

1. Summarize the standards of care and professional practice of the International Brainspotting Association.
2. Describe the hypothesized neurological underpinnings of how brainspotting works.
3. Summarize the research that supports the hypothesized way in which eye positions activate and accesses midbrain activity.
4. Explain the uncertainty principle as it relates to brainspotting.
5. Describe the concepts of simultaneous neurobiological and relational attunement.
6. Explain the importance of client-therapist attunement during brainspotting.
7. Explain how the treatment frame is set and held by the therapist.
8. Explain the role of focused mindfulness in brainspotting.
9. Discuss the similarities and differences between the activation and resource models of brainspotting.
10. Explain the concept of limbic countertransference.
11. Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the outside window brainspotting technique.
12. Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the inside window brainspotting technique.
13. Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the gaze spot brainspotting technique.
14. Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the resource model of brainspotting technique.
15. Assess the appropriate brainspotting techniques for the treatment of Post-traumatic stress disorder, including the Dissociative Subtype, and other trauma-related symptoms.
16. Describe two challenges to assessing and providing evidence-based treatment to individuals with Complex PTSD.

Bibliography

Who is this training for?

Trainings are open to all counselors, psychologists, social workers and others in the healing professions with strong clinical backgrounds, as well as students/interns in the mental health field who are curious and seek to expand their knowledge. 

Trainer: 

Christine Ranck, Ph.D., LCSW, and Cynthia Schwartzberg, LCSW are Senior Brainspotting Trainers and Supervisors with over 30 years of experience in private practice, Christine in NYC and Cynthia in NYC/Atlanta. Close colleagues of Dr. David Grand, discoverer/developer of Brainspotting, both Dr. Ranck and Ms Schwartzberg participate in a monthly consultation group with Dr. Grand.  They specialize in working with survivors of profound trauma, and in creativity and performance enhancement for athletes, artists, and performers, and are internationally known seminar leaders and speakers.

Dr. Ranck is the co-author of Ignite the Genius Within.  Cynthia Schwartzberg is the author of The Curious Voyage to Authenticity.

Continuing Education Details

All participants who are present for the full length of this training, including participation in all practicums, will receive a Certificate of Attendance from Cynthasis after completion of the post-training evaluation.

CEs applied for.

Cynthasis, LLC  Training Agreement

By attending this Brainspotting Training, I understand and agree to the below terms and conditions.

1. Confidentiality: This training is delivered using a PowerPoint presentation, live/online demonstrations, and practicums during which attendees will be working with their own personal material. All personal and clinical information is to be kept confidential and may not be shared elsewhere. Treat the personal information of others with the same respect which you would expect for yourself.

2. Online platform.  It is understood that:

   1. Possible Misunderstandings due to the lack of nonverbal cues normally present with in-person teaching, technology-assisted teaching is prone to possible misunderstandings and clarification will be requested when necessary.

   2. Privacy Breaches. Technology-assisted teaching utilizes a large number of outside resources and companies (internet and software providers, public utilities, etc). All these entities are prone to their own security risks. 

3. Competency: Treating trauma requires specific training in the nature of trauma, its effects on the brain and body, establishing and maintaining safety, and much more. This is not a course on trauma and trauma treatment, and this course does not make you a trauma therapist if you are not one already. Rather, it teaches an effective tool to add to your treatment repertoire. You are responsible for your own professional development in this area.

4. Responsibility. This course uses demonstrations and practicums to develop participants’ understanding of Brainspotting and its clinical applications. This course is intended for education and professional development. It is not designed or intended to be for the attendee’s personal therapy, nor for clinical supervision. If you find that you are emotionally activated during practice sessions, please do speak to a trainer or assistant, and of course, do what you need to regulate yourself. If participants need additional support or input following this course, this is not the responsibility of the trainers nor of Brainspotting Training, LLC.

5. Volunteers and Practicum Process.  My participation in volunteering for demonstration and/or practicums is to help myself and others learn the material.  I understand this is not therapy and not intended to replace therapy.  As a volunteer, I agree to have others learn from my personal experience.  I agree to work respectfully with my partners in the practicums.

6. Scope of Practice. This course is available to licensed mental health professionals who are members of a professional regulating body, and to trainees in those professions. It is your responsibility to work at all times within the scope of practice of your own discipline. 

Fees:

Early Registration: Register before December 28, 2024 – $745
Standard Registration: December 28, 2024 to March 21, 2025 – $795
Late Registration: March 22, 2025 to April 5, 2025 – $845

Registration Fee for Refresher Repeats: $400

$400 student rate-actively enrolled in a graduate program in a mental health-related field (psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy) (documentation required, name of supervisor and license working toward).

Register using the form below:

By registering for this training, you acknowledge you have read and understood the Continuing Education Details above and have read and agree to the Training Agreement above. 

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If you do not receive a letter with details about the training upon completion of payment, please check your spam folder and then email info@cynthasis.com if you don’t find the letter there.

Cancellation and Refund Policy