Trauma Therapy Using Brainspotting and Animal-Assisted Therapy
Healing from trauma often requires more than talking about what happened. It involves reaching the parts of the brain and nervous system where trauma is physically stored. This therapy model combines the precision of Brainspotting with the intuitive, grounding support of Animal-Assisted Therapy to offer a path toward deep and lasting relief.
In our work together, we move beyond analytical conversation and focus on how your body is responding to stress and memory. By integrating these two powerful modalities, we create a space where you can process difficult experiences without feeling overwhelmed or re-traumatized.
The goal is to help you reconnect with yourself, regulate your nervous system, and find a sense of safety that translates into your daily life. We focus on somatic awareness and physiological healing, ensuring that you are processing experiences at your own pace.
What Is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a powerful, research-informed therapy focused on identifying, processing, and releasing core neurobiological sources of emotional or physical pain, trauma, and a variety of other challenging symptoms.
- Engages the deep brain and body to process trauma without needing to find the 'right words.'
- Helps regulate the nervous system, reducing symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional overwhelm.
- Encourages natural, rapid processing of memories and emotions that feel stuck.
- Sessions move at your pace, and you remain in control throughout the process.
It works by identifying 'Brainspots'—points in your visual field that help access the subcortical brain, where trauma and stress are often stored. This approach bypasses the analytical, 'talking' brain to reach the parts of the nervous system responsible for deep healing.
What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) involves a trained therapy animal as an active participant in the therapeutic process. In our sessions, Lincoln, a certified therapy dog, provides a calm, grounding presence that helps regulate the nervous system when difficult emotions arise.
For many people healing from trauma, the non-judgmental and steady presence of an animal offers a unique sense of safety that can be hard to find in human-only interactions. It allows for a softer entry into vulnerable processing work.
- Reduces physiological symptoms of stress and anxiety
- Promotes emotional regulation and grounding
- Offers a consistent, non-judgmental supportive presence
- Helps build trust and a sense of relational safety
- Clients can choose whether Lincoln is included in their sessions.
How Brainspotting and Animal-Assisted Therapy Work Together
These two approaches complement each other in powerful ways. While Brainspotting works to process trauma at a deep neurological level, Animal-Assisted Therapy provides the emotional support and grounded presence needed to stay regulated during that processing.
- Enhanced Regulation: Lincoln’s Presence helps lower cortisol levels and calm the nervous system, making it easier to access deep brain processing.
- Increased Safety: Brainspotting can feel intense; having a non-judgmental animal nearby creates an immediate sense of safety and companionship.
- Co-Regulation: As Lincoln breathes calmly near you, your nervous system can begin to mirror his state of rest and safety.
- Somatic Support: Animal-assisted therapy helps you stay connected to your body and the present moment while working through intense or vulnerable moments.
Stage 1
Phase 1 — Building Safety and Stability
- Grounding and regulation skills
- Education on the brain and trauma
- Co-regulation with Lincoln
- Establishing a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Lincoln enjoys quietly sitting near clients, offering comfort, and helping create a sense of emotional safety during sessions.
Navigating Your Recovery
Stage 2
Phase 2 — Processing Trauma
- Brainspotting to process deep-seated memories
- Lincoln’s non-judgmental presence as support
- Working through emotions at your own pace
- Somatic processing to release physical tension
Sessions move at your pace, and you remain in control throughout the process.
Stage 3
Phase 3 — Integration and Growth
- Strengthening existing resources
- Integrating insights into daily life
- Fostering long-term resilience
- Expanding the capacity for connection and joy
Our focus is on creating a future defined by healing and resilience.
Who This Approach Helps
This therapy model is especially helpful for people who:
- Feel "stuck" despite years of traditional talk therapy
- Can explain their trauma but still feel its impact in their bodies
- Struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or high levels of self-criticism
- Experience chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, or emotional shutting down
- Feel overwhelmed by big emotions or find it difficult to connect with their feelings at all
Many of my clients include:
- Survivors of childhood abuse or neglect
- People navigating complex trauma (C-PTSD)
- Professionals and caregivers facing burnout and compassion fatigue
- Individuals seeking to heal their relationship with themselves and others
Healing Is Within Reach
If you are ready to move beyond the surface and start a deeper healing process, Brainspotting and Animal-Assisted Therapy can help you get there.
The Role of Lincoln in Therapy
Lincoln is a certified therapy dog who plays an important role in many therapy sessions. He provides a calm, comforting presence and helps create a safe and welcoming environment for clients. Many people find that having Lincoln nearby helps them feel more relaxed, grounded, and supported—especially when talking about difficult experiences.
Lincoln enjoys quietly sitting near clients, offering comfort, and helping create a sense of emotional safety during sessions. He is trained to remain calm and gentle, and his presence is always optional—clients are welcome to choose whether or not Lincoln is included in their sessions.
Animal-assisted therapy can be especially helpful for individuals working through trauma, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, as it supports nervous system regulation and connection.
A Truly Integrative Experience
Many clients have tried traditional therapy before and still feel stuck. They can describe their problems, but they don't feel different inside. This model is designed for where you are now, honoring your past without keeping you trapped in it.
Therapy here is not about checking boxes or moving through a rigid manual. It is about meaningful and sustainable change.