Brainspotting in Coaching: A Different Way to Work With What Keeps You Stuck

Have you ever understood a pattern logically but still found yourself repeating it?

Maybe you know why you overthink decisions, struggle to set a boundary, or react strongly in certain situations. You may have talked about it, journaled about it, and tried to reason your way through it—yet something still feels unresolved. Sometimes insight is an important part of change, but insight alone does not always create the shift we are looking for. This is one reason I have begun integrating Brainspotting into my coaching practice.

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a focused, body-aware approach that uses a point in your visual field as an anchor while you notice the thoughts, emotions, sensations, memories, or associations connected to a particular issue. Rather than immediately analyzing everything that comes up, you are invited to slow down, notice your internal experience, and allow the process to unfold with curiosity.

How Is Brainspotting Used in Coaching?

In coaching, Brainspotting can be used to explore concerns that may be getting in the way of your growth, confidence, relationships, or ability to take meaningful action.

For example, we might use it to explore:

• Overthinking or feeling stuck around a decision

• Fear or hesitation connected to a goal

• Recurring emotional or relationship patterns

• Difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries

• Performance blocks

• Self-doubt or fear of being seen

• Conflicting parts of yourself

• The emotions connected to a life transition

• A desire to feel more grounded when triggered

• The gap between knowing what you want and taking action

  
  

The purpose is not to diagnose or treat a mental health condition. Instead, Brainspotting can offer another way to become curious about what may be happening beneath the surface of a coaching concern.

Why Not Just Talk About It?

Talking is valuable. It helps us organize our experiences, recognize patterns, gain perspective, and make intentional choices. But sometimes we can become very good at explaining a pattern without feeling any less affected by it. Brainspotting gives us an opportunity to pause the usual problem-solving process.

Instead of immediately asking, “How do I fix this?” we might begin with questions such as:

What do I notice inside when I think about this?

Where do I feel it in my body?

What happens when I stay curious rather than trying to make the feeling go away?

You do not have to find the perfect words or explain everything clearly. You are allowed to notice what arises at your own pace.

What Might a Coaching Session Look Like?

We begin by identifying the issue, goal, decision, pattern, or situation you would like to explore and then identify a point in your visual field that is connected to that internal experience. As you gently focus on that spot, I support you in noticing what unfolds.

You might become aware of:

• A physical sensation

• An emotion

• A memory or image

• A belief

• An internal conflict

• A new perspective

• A sense of calm or clarity

  
  

There is no correct way to experience Brainspotting. You do not have to force a breakthrough, perform, or produce a particular result.

My role is not to tell you what your experience means. My role is to remain present, attuned, and curious while trusting your ability to notice what feels meaningful.

Afterward, we can talk about what you observed and identify any practical next steps. This might include communicating a need, setting a boundary, making a values-aligned choice, practicing a new response, or giving yourself additional time to process.

You Remain in Control

Brainspotting is collaborative and client-led. You can pause, adjust, redirect, or stop the process at any time. You can also choose how much you want to share. You do not have to describe every thought, feeling, or memory that comes up. I believe meaningful coaching should help you develop greater trust in yourself not greater dependence on your coach. Brainspotting aligns with that belief because it allows me to support your process without assuming that I know exactly what you need or where the session should lead.

Is Brainspotting in Coaching the Same as Therapy?

No.

Although the same general Brainspotting framework may be used, coaching and psychotherapy have different purposes and scopes. Brainspotting within coaching may be appropriate when you are generally functioning well and want support with personal growth, emotional awareness, patterns, relationships, decisions, performance, or meaningful life goals.

It is not intended to diagnose or treat trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, or other mental health conditions. If concerns arise that would be more appropriately supported by a licensed mental health professional, I will discuss that with you and recommend seeking therapy. Brainspotting coaching is not a substitute for medical care, mental health treatment, crisis support, or psychotherapy.

A Different Kind of Inner Work

You do not always need someone to give you more advice. Sometimes you need enough space, safety, and support to hear what your own internal experience has been trying to communicate.

Brainspotting offers a different way to approach that inner work, one that is focused, curious, collaborative, and less dependent on having all the right words. You do not need to force yourself to move forward. You may simply need an opportunity to slow down, listen inward, and understand what has been keeping you stuck.

Curious About Brainspotting?

I offer Brainspotting as an optional tool within coaching for clients who want to explore a goal, pattern, emotional block, or internal conflict in a different way. We can talk about what you are experiencing, determine whether Brainspotting fits your coaching goals, and discuss whether coaching or therapy would be the most appropriate form of support.

Start Moving Forward Today

Kristin Czerminger Life Coaching