EMDR vs. Brainspotting: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each (Plus Why I Add EFT Tapping)

If you're searching for trauma-informed therapy, you’ve likely heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting. Both are evidence-based trauma treatments, but they function very differently in the brain and body. There is much more research on EMDR and EFT tapping but brainspotting is gaining much needed awareness.

As a therapist and trauma coach trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and EFT tapping, I often work with clients who have tried traditional therapy but still feel stuck. The key difference? These approaches reach different parts of the brain and nervous system, and when used together, they can unlock powerful, lasting change.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR is a structured eight-phase trauma treatment protocol that uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or audio tones to help the brain reprocess disturbing memories.

It targets the brain's limbic system, specifically the amygdala and hippocampus, where emotional memories and threat responses are stored. EMDR is designed to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories while installing new, adaptive beliefs.

EMDR is especially effective for:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Specific memories, like car accidents or medical trauma

• Panic attacks and phobias

• Clients who benefit from structure and step-by-step guidance

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy developed by Dr. David Grand. It emerged while he was practicing EMDR and noticed that when a client’s eyes naturally paused on a fixed spot, spontaneous deep processing began.

Rather than moving the eyes side to side, Brainspotting uses still eye positions that connect to specific brain circuits often related to trauma or emotion stored in the midbrain and brainstem.

Brainspotting is particularly helpful for:

• Developmental trauma and attachment wounds

• Chronic stress, emotional shutdown, or burnout

• Somatic symptoms and performance blocks

• Clients who feel overwhelmed or disconnected from verbal processing

Unlike EMDR, Brainspotting has no required script or protocol. The therapist follows the client’s nervous system cues like blinking, swallowing, or body tension and maintains attuned presence, allowing the client’s body and brain to lead the healing.

Why I Integrate EFT Tapping

In addition to EMDR and Brainspotting, I frequently use EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), also known as tapping. This method uses acupressure points on the body while focusing on emotions, beliefs, or physical symptoms.

EFT works directly on the body’s stress response system, calming the amygdala and regulating cortisol. While EMDR and Brainspotting help process trauma, EFT adds an extra layer of nervous system regulation, especially when a client is emotionally flooded, anxious, or dissociative.

EFT is particularly helpful for:

• Emotional overwhelm or panic

• Reducing intensity before or after trauma processing

• Calming the body during exposure to core beliefs

• Clients who need more regulation and grounding

Because these three modalities work on different levels: cognitive, somatic, and energetic. They can complement each other in a single session.

EMDR vs. Brainspotting vs. EFT: What’s the Difference?

EMDR

• How it works: Uses guided eye movements and structured protocols to reprocess traumatic memories

• What it targets: Limbic brain areas like the amygdala (emotional memory and fear response)

• Best for: PTSD, specific incidents, phobias, and when there’s a clear memory or belief to work on

Brainspotting

• How it works: Uses a still eye gaze combined with body awareness and therapist attunement

• What it targets: Deep subcortical brain regions like the midbrain and brainstem (nonverbal trauma storage)

• Best for: Complex or developmental trauma, emotional overwhelm, burnout, and preverbal trauma

EFT Tapping

• How it works: Involves tapping on acupressure points while focusing on emotional issues or beliefs

• What it targets: The body’s stress response system, particularly the amygdala and HPA axis

• Best for: Calming anxiety, reducing emotional flooding, anchoring safety before or after processing

How I Use Them Together in Therapy and Coaching

Each client’s nervous system is unique, which is why I use a flexible, integrative approach.

For example:

• A session may begin with EFT tapping to calm the body and focus.

• Then we might use Brainspotting to explore a somatic response or memory that has no words.

• If a specific memory or belief surfaces, we may transition into EMDR for structured reprocessing.

This layered approach is especially effective for high-functioning adults with childhood trauma, chronic anxiety, relationship patterns, or burnout. Instead of just talking about the problem, we’re addressing it from the inside out—cognitively, emotionally, and physiologically.

Why This Approach Works

I offer EMDR, Brainspotting, and EFT not just because they’re popular, but because they work on the levels where trauma actually lives. In the nervous system, the midbrain, and the body’s stress circuits.

By combining these tools:

• We respect the complexity of developmental and attachment trauma.

• We give your body a chance to heal without reliving everything verbally.

• We rewire patterns and beliefs at the root—not just manage symptoms.

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what works with precision, safety, and attunement.

Interested in Trying EMDR, Brainspotting, or EFT?

If you’re looking for deeper healing beyond traditional talk therapy, I offer both counseling (in Colorado) and trauma-informed coaching (nationwide) with an integrative mind-body approach.

Sessions are customized and may include:

• EMDR for memory reprocessing

• Brainspotting for nervous system and attachment healing

• EFT tapping for regulation and belief transformation

• Psychoeducation, parts work, and coaching for long-term growth

To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact me for a free 15 minute consult.

Evidence and Research

D’Antoni, F., Matiz, A., Fabbro, F., & Crescentini, C. (2022)
Compared EMDR, Brainspotting, and body scan meditation. All reduced emotional distress. Brainspotting showed faster emotional reduction for some clients.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Hildebrand, A., Grand, D., & Stemmler, M. (2017)
Found Brainspotting effective for treating PTSD, with similar outcomes to EMDR.
Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Zimmer, C. (2011)
Highlighted the brain’s 100 trillion neural connections—supporting the idea that trauma is stored across multiple brain regions and should be addressed somatically and neurologically.
Scientific American.

Feinstein, D. (2012)
EFT tapping shown to significantly reduce cortisol levels and emotional reactivity. Effects were maintained over time.
Review of General Psychology.

National Center for PTSD (2023)
6% of U.S. adults will experience PTSD in their lifetime. Many more experience subclinical trauma symptoms that respond well to EMDR, Brainspotting, and EFT.

If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, it’s not because you’re broken.
It may be time to try a method that actually speaks your body’s language.