What Can I Expect After a Brainspotting Intensive?
So, you’re thinking about booking a Brainspotting Intensive and you’re not sure what to expect afterwards. Or, you have already booked an Intensive or completed the Intensive and you're curious about what happens afterward. In this blog, I’ll break down the post Intensive experience.
Avoid driving after an intensive.
Immediately after a Brainpotting Intensive, I recommend that clients rest for at least half an hour before driving. During Brainspotting, you “go subcortical” which means you process in the lower part of your forebrain and your midbrain (see image below) where you gain more direct access to your emotions and memories. When you are in this part of your brain, you do not have as much access to the part of your forebrain that allows for cognitive processing, language, and planning ahead. It is recommended that you do not drive immediately after because you need some time to “come back” to your forebrain and be able to access all cognitive processing that will allow you to drive safely.
The image above depicts the 3 sections of the brain.
Schedule time to rest.
Everyone is different and will have different responses post Brainspotting. Most people tend to feel tired afterward. This is normal because during Brainspotting, you are rewiring your brain, coming to new insights, and developing new thought pathways. This requires a lot of energy which can leave you feeling tired. Post Brainspotting, it’s best to have a relaxing day planned where you can rest and recover. Make sure you plan ahead to carve out that time and make sure that there are no responsibilities to tend to, the kids are taken care of, you do not have work afterwards, or are not doing anything that might be more mentally draining.
You may continue processing after an intensive.
Your brain is doing a lot of work during a Brainspotting Intensive. It is normal to continue processing up to a week after a Brainspotting session. Processing post Intensive is less intense than during an Intensive. Your brain may continue to come to new insights and piece information together. Some people have dreams related to what they worked on during the Intensive, which is a form of continued processing.
You may not notice immediate changes after an intensive.
If you don’t, that is also normal! It may take some time before you notice any changes. Some clients don’t feel as much of a change until they are in a situation that typically would trigger them and they notice that it doesn’t like it would have before. Additionally, some changes may feel intangible like feeling lighter, less irritable, not as easily upset. Before meeting for the Pre Intensive Session, I have clients complete assessments to identify their symptoms as well as understand the affect their symptoms have on them. Before the Post Intensive Session, I send the same assessments and we compare the results. This is a great way to measure change.
It’s common to forget some of the major insights you came to during an Intensive.
With the amount of processing that is done in an Intensive it makes sense that so much happens you may not remember it all. Not to worry though, you didn’t actually forget! It can be hard to recall on demand, however, whatever insights you come to in a session will stay with you. Everything you have learned is already within you. Brainspotting taps into our mind and body’s ability to heal themselves. When you come to insights during a Brainspotting Intensive, you’re internalizing it and your brain is rewiring to embody that change in mindset in real time. So, even when it feels like you’ve forgotten some things, when you are in a situation where you are facing an issue you processed, you are able to apply it like second nature!
For example, a client processed trauma related to her family and when she visited home and spent time with them, she did not feel as triggered and was able to feel more relaxed while maintaining boundaries. She did not revert to her old patterns of behaviors and role she played in the family. Instead of having to do the cognitive work in the moment, she was able to naturally respond in ways aligned with her goals for the intensive.
Give yourself grace.
It’s important to be kind to yourself, slow down, and know that your brain will continue to process after an Intensive. Since everyone is different, responses post Intensive vary, and it is all normal and okay! If there is anything concerning, you are always welcome to reach out and ask questions. Remember, there is also a Post Intensive Session about 3 weeks after a Brainspotting Intensive to follow up, see how you feel, and determine if we have met your goals. I typically have Post Intensive Sessions 3 weeks out to give clients time to continue processing, go about their lives as normal allowing the time to notice how things may be different. This provides helpful information to determine what, if any, next steps should be taken.
Please reach out with any questions or if you’re interested in booking a Brainspotting Intensive. I offer free consultation calls to determine how an Intensive can help you and if you’d be a good fit.
Wishing you ease on your healing journey!
