BRAINSPOTTING: PHASE 1
Introductory Level
Three-day 21-hour online and 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:
- Summarize the standards of care and professional practice of the International Brainspotting Association.
- Describe the hypothesized neurological underpinnings of how brainspotting works.
- Summarize the research that supports the hypothesized way in which eye positions activate and access midbrain activity.
- Explain the uncertainty principle as it relates to brainspotting.
- Describe the concepts of simultaneous neurobiological and relational attunement.
- Explain the importance of client-therapist attunement during brainspotting.
- Explain how the treatment frame is set and held by the therapist.
- Explain the role of focused mindfulness in brainspotting.
- Discuss the similarities and differences between the activation and resource models of brainspotting.
- Explain the concept of limbic countertransference.
- Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the outside window brainspotting technique.
- Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the inside window brainspotting technique.
- Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the gaze spot brainspotting technique.
- Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the resource model of brainspotting technique.
- Assess the appropriate brainspotting techniques for the treatment of Post-traumatic stress disorder, including the Dissociative Subtype, and other trauma-related symptoms.
- Describe two challenges to assessing and providing evidence-based treatment to individuals with Complex PTSD.
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.
Trainers
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
Evaluations and certificates will be available online following course completion.
21 CE credits will be available for this course. A link to purchase CE credits will be sent to you the week of the training.
Cynthia Schwartzberg and Christine Ranck are senior faculty members with Engaged Minds, CE provider.
Social Workers
Approved for New York State (NYS) social workers (#SW-0676) and accepted in other states that recognize NYS CE providers for social work credit. This course provides 21 CE credits for social workers.
Professional Counselors
Approved by NYS for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC, #MHC-0284) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT, #MFT-0117).
Also approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an ACEP (#7455).
Psychologists
Approved for NYS licensed psychologists (#PSY-0270) and accepted in other states that recognize NYS CE providers for psychology.
Please note: Engage Minds (CE Provider) is not APA-approved.
Fees
Early Registration: Register before August 27, 2026 – $745
Standard Registration: August 27 to October 22, 2026 – $795
Late Registration: October 22 to November 5, 2026 – $845
Registration Fee for Refresher Repeats: $400
$400 non-working 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).
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We understand that life happens – sometimes unexpectedly! If you need to cancel or reschedule, please email info@cynthasis.com.
We will provide you with a full refund if you cancel up to 14 days before the event. (Less $75 administrative fee per registration)
After that, we will give you full credit for a replacement course with the same trainer/s, which will be good for one year. We ask that the attendee be responsible for deciding the alternative training and date by reaching out to the trainer/s of the course.
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.
For questions or concerns, contact Cynthia at info@cynthasis.com
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.
For questions or concerns, contact Cynthia at info@cynthasis.com