You’ve read about intensives, you’ve felt a pull toward trying one, and yet you’re still unsure. Maybe you’ve searched for a brainspotting therapist near me more times than you care to admit, hoping to find someone who feels like the right fit. And even though something about the idea of an intensive sounds right, part of you wonders, is this really the next step?
If you’re feeling that tension between curiosity and hesitation, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what a Brainspotting intensive looks like so you can decide whether this is something that aligns with what you need. And if you still have questions afterward, I’m just a message away.
What Is Brainspotting Intensive?
In my practice, a Brainspotting intensive has three key parts. First, there’s an intake session where we identify what you want to work on and create a plan tailored just for you. Second, we dive into the intensive itself, which typically includes multiple three-hour sessions scheduled over a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. These sessions are often split into morning and afternoon blocks so that you have space to breathe and process.
And third, after we complete your intensive, we schedule a virtual debrief about two weeks later. This gives us time to reflect on your experience, celebrate the shifts you’ve made, and talk about what comes next.
Oh, and before we even start, you have the option to schedule a free 15-minute consult with me. That way, we can talk through what a Brainspotting intensive might look like for you and explore whether we’re a good fit.
All in all, the process from start to finish usually takes about a month. Unlike weekly therapy that continues indefinitely, intensives have a natural endpoint, which can feel refreshing and motivating for many clients.
What Happens Before the Intensive Begins?
Before anything else, we meet for your intake session. This is where we begin shaping your experience. We’ll talk about what brought you here, what you’re hoping for, and how an intensive could support your growth.
You’ll reflect on your strengths and the things that have helped you shift in the past. We’ll get curious about what’s currently in the way, and identify both internal and external resources that can support your healing. We’ll also name some of the blocks that are keeping you stuck and begin mapping out what we’ll explore during our intensive time together.
This session gives us the chance to get to know each other and start building the relationship that will hold your intensive work. We’ll also do a little bit of Brainspotting, so whether it’s your first time or your tenth, you’ll leave with more clarity and confidence in what’s ahead.
What to Expect from a Brainspotting Intensive
Three-hour sessions might sound long at first, but clients are often surprised by how quickly the time passes. These sessions create space to really dive in without the pressure of having to stop just as things start to open up.
We’ll begin with grounding and settling into the space together. Then we’ll move into Brainspotting, using a method that connects your gaze and eye position to stored emotional or somatic experiences. Sometimes we’ll use a pointer to help you find your “brainspot” and sometimes we’ll use what’s called gaze spotting, where we notice where your eyes naturally land when you begin to talk about something significant.
As your therapist, I’m not here to rush or push. Our pacing will be guided by what’s unfolding in real time. If you need an extra break or if a new topic surfaces that feels important, we’ll pivot. This work is organic and we’ll allow your nervous system to lead the way.
The key to an intensive is that it’s yours. It’s built for your needs, your energy, your rhythm. The goal isn’t to follow a strict agenda, but to create a container that allows your healing to unfold with depth and intention.
Integration and Support After Intensive
After you’ve completed your Brainspotting intensive, we’ll meet again for a debrief session. This is a chance to reflect on what’s changed, what’s still shifting, and what you need moving forward
You’ll likely be encouraged to do some journaling or track any new awareness that shows up in the days and weeks after your sessions. Sometimes those shifts are big and immediate. Other times they’re quiet and subtle, but just as powerful.
During our debrief, we’ll talk through those changes and help you make sense of what’s next. For some clients, that means returning to their previous therapist or continuing to integrate on their own. Others may schedule another intensive later on or use this time to get connected to new supports in their community.
However the next chapter unfolds, my intention is to be a resource for you. If we’ve built a strong connection and working relationship, you’re always welcome to return. And if you need a different kind of support down the road, I’ll help you find it.
What Results Can You Expect?
Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your experience with a Brainspotting intensive will be uniquely yours. But I can share some common shifts I’ve seen in the work.
Some clients discover just how much tension they’ve been carrying in their body, and for the first time, feel that tension release. Others describe a new sense of openness in the chest or heart space, and an ability to connect with compassion, clarity, or possibility in a way that wasn’t there before.
Sometimes the changes are big and emotional. Other times they’re quiet and internal, like realizing you’ve stopped spiraling in the same old way. Either way, your experience will be valid, meaningful, and enough.
What matters most is not comparing your healing to someone else’s but staying open to whatever wants to unfold for you. Trust your body. Trust the process.
How Do You Know If You’re Ready?
It’s a great question, and one that doesn’t always come with a straightforward answer. But here’s something I often share with potential clients. If you’re thinking about doing a Brainspotting intensive, there’s a good chance it’s the right next step for you.
Ask yourself, what’s the best possible outcome of this experience? If I don’t take this next step, will I continue feeling stuck? What would I need to feel supported enough to move forward?
Feeling excited and nervous at the same time is completely normal. Big growth often brings up both. There’s no perfect way to prepare, but here are a few things that might help.
Give yourself space to reflect before the intake. Think about what you want from this experience and what has been getting in the way.
Set yourself up for success by planning ahead. Maybe that means taking a few days off from work, prepping meals, or clearing your schedule as much as possible so you can focus fully on the work.
And after your intensive, give yourself grace. You’ll likely be doing deep emotional work, and your nervous system will need time to rest and integrate. Let that be part of the healing, too.
Ready to take the next step?
A Brainspotting intensive can be life-changing. The kind of change that feels rooted, embodied, and real. If you’re searching for a brainspotting therapist near me and wondering if now is the time to dive in, I would love to connect with you.
Click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. We’ll talk through your questions, see if we’re a good fit, and start shaping your
