Maybe you have read a little about Brainspotting and wondered what it would be like to do it for several hours a day, a few days in a row. That is a fair question, especially if you are thinking about driving to Redding for it. Here is a plain walk through what happens during a Brainspotting intensive, from the first conversation to the drive home.
First, what is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a body-based way of healing trauma. It uses where you look to help your brain and body find and work through experiences that got stuck. You stay awake, present, and in charge the whole time. And you do not have to retell every detail of what happened to you. If you want the longer version, read about Brainspotting in Redding or Brainspotting for people who don’t want to talk about it.
What a Brainspotting intensive is
In weekly therapy, you get about an hour. Just as you get to the deep stuff, it is time to go. An intensive gives the work more room. You spend about four hours a day in therapy: two hours in the morning, a lunch break, and two hours in the afternoon. You can choose a 3-day weekend or stay 4 or 5 days.
Intensives happen in person at Attune Center for Healing in Redding. You have a private room for the whole day, so there is always a quiet place to rest between sessions.
Before your first day
It starts with a free 15-minute consult. We talk about what you are hoping for and whether an intensive is a safe fit for you right now. Intensives are not crisis care, so if things feel unsafe today, we start somewhere gentler.
On your first morning, we spend time on intake. We talk about your goals, your story at whatever pace feels right, the beliefs that weigh on you, and the strengths that have kept you going. Then we shape a plan together.
What a Brainspotting session feels like
- We pick a focus. You think about what you want to work on and notice what happens in your body. Maybe your chest gets tight, or your stomach knots up.
- We find the spot. I slowly move a pointer across your field of vision. Together we watch for a place where your body reacts, like a blink, a swallow, or a feeling getting stronger. That place is called a brainspot.
- You notice. You rest your eyes on that spot and simply notice what comes up. It might be memories, feelings, body sensations, or sometimes not much at all. You can talk or stay quiet. Both are fine.
- You stay in charge. You can slow down, stop, or take a break at any time. Nothing is done to you.
Where parts work comes in
I also use parts work informed by Internal Family Systems, or IFS. IFS is a way of working with the different parts of ourselves. You might have a part that keeps everything running, a part that worries, and a part that still hurts.
During an intensive, a protective part may show up and say something like, “I’m fine, let’s not go there.” Instead of pushing past it, we get curious about it. That part has been working hard to keep you safe, and it deserves respect. When it feels heard, the deeper work can usually go more gently.
How the days build on each other
The first day is about getting settled: intake, your plan, and your first Brainspotting sessions.
The middle days are for the deeper work on what matters most to you. Because there is no week-long gap, we pick up right where we left off instead of starting over.
The last day is about bringing it together. We strengthen the good things that are growing, like calm, clarity, and kindness toward yourself, and we make a plan for the weeks after you go home.
How you might feel during and after
Many people feel tired at the end of each day. That makes sense. Your brain and body are doing real work. Some people feel waves of emotion, and some feel lighter than they have in years. Most feel a mix. Everyone is different, and no one can promise a certain result. What we can do is plan for rest, go at your pace, and make sure you leave with tools to stay steady.
Is a Brainspotting intensive right for you?
An intensive may be a good fit if you feel stuck in weekly therapy, if you are carrying old trauma or burnout, or if you want real, protected time to heal. It is not the right fit during an active crisis. We always talk through fit, safety, and pacing before anything is scheduled.
Questions about Brainspotting intensives
How long is a Brainspotting intensive?
You can choose a 3-day weekend or stay 4 or 5 days. Each day has about four hours of therapy, so 3 days is 12 hours, 4 days is 16 hours, and 5 days is 20 hours.
Can I use insurance for an intensive?
Intensives are paid to Attune Center for Healing, which provides superbills on request that some people submit to their insurance. Confirm coverage with your insurance plan for therapy with a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee prior to service.
Can I do an intensive if I already have a therapist?
Yes. Many people do an intensive alongside their regular therapy. With your permission, we can share what we worked on so your regular therapist can keep building on it.
Want more details and pricing? See Brainspotting and trauma therapy intensives in Redding. Coming from Sacramento, the Bay Area, or farther? See weekend intensives for Northern California women. Still deciding? Read What is a trauma therapy intensive?
Book a free 15-minute consult at theancientwell.com.
Yvette Brown is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Attune Center for Healing. Supervised by Christina Whitney, LMFT # 111050. Intensives are provided and billed by Attune Center for Healing.
This is education, not therapy. It’s not medical advice and doesn’t create a therapist-client relationship. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. In Shasta County, the 24-hour mental health line is (530) 225-5252 or (888) 385-5201. For immediate danger, call 911.