Brainspotting vs. Gestalt Therapy: Which Trauma Technique Is Right for You?

Navigating trauma or unresolved emotional pain can feel overwhelming, especially in a new environment like Barcelona, where everything may feel unfamiliar.

As an English-speaking therapist specializing in Brainspotting and Gestalt Therapy —and an expat myself—, I offer compassionate, expert guidance to help you reconnect with yourself and reclaim your sense of peace.

With so many techniques available, understanding their unique strengths is vital to choosing the method that resonates with you.

Two popular modalities —Brainspotting and Gestalt Therapy— offer distinct yet complementary paths to healing. In this article, we’ll explore what makes each approach effective and how they can guide you toward integration, transformation, and growth.

Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you; it’s about how your body and mind responded in the absence of the support you needed. While these responses may have helped you survive at the time, they often linger in ways that no longer serve you, creating patterns that disrupt your life today.

Whether you’re an expat adjusting to Barcelona’s unique challenges or a local seeking support, trauma therapy can help you reconnect with yourself and create new ways of moving through life.

Together, we’ll compassionately explore these responses and uncover the hidden strengths within your story. Healing isn’t about erasing the past but learning to weave it into your life as a source of wisdom and resilience —turning pain into a powerful tool for growth.

Brainspotting, developed by David Grand, is a powerful trauma-focused therapy that taps into the brain and body’s natural ability to heal. By using eye positions to locate “brainspots” —neurobiological points connected to unresolved emotions— it helps you process trauma deeply and effectively.

For many clients in Barcelona, trauma can manifest as anxiety, stress, or a sense of being stuck. Brainspotting allows us to work together to access these stored experiences and release the emotional and physical blocks that may be holding you back. Whether you’re adjusting to a new environment or dealing with long-standing pain, this technique offers a path toward clarity, calm, and a renewed sense of self.

I approach Brainspotting as a non-judgmental, empathetic method where clients can witness and validate their pain in a safe space.

“It’s about creating a space where the body can release and heal at its own pace, gently guided by the therapist.”

Brainspotting offers a focused and integrative approach to trauma healing. By targeting specific neurobiological points, this therapy helps clients bypass the conscious mind and access the deeper, unresolved areas where trauma is stored.

Here are some of its key benefits:

Brainspotting therapy is particularly effective for those struggling with trauma-related symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, or chronic stress. It works by directly addressing the brain-body connection to promote deep emotional release.

In my practice, I guide clients with Brainspotting by letting their felt experience lead the session. We follow the "tail of the comet," allowing the body to show where healing is needed. This process often brings profound relief and clarity.

Gestalt Therapy is a holistic, relational approach that emphasizes present-moment awareness and integration. It helps clients reconnect with their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to create a deeper sense of self-understanding.

For many of my clients in Barcelona, adjusting to a new culture or navigating life’s challenges can leave them feeling disconnected—from themselves, their relationships, or their sense of purpose. Gestalt Therapy helps us explore these feelings in a safe and supportive way, focusing on the present moment and how your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected. Together, we can uncover the patterns shaped by past experiences and work toward integration and healing in a way that feels authentic to you.

In Gestalt Therapy, we explore how past adaptive strategies that once saved you may no longer serve you. Together, we work to integrate those experiences into a meaningful, adaptive present.

In my sessions, I often use Gestalt Therapy to help clients explore adaptive strategies they developed during trauma that no longer serve them. Together, we work on transforming these strategies into meaningful, present-day actions that align with their goals and values.

Gestalt Therapy is a practical, compassionate approach for individuals seeking relational healing or struggling to integrate difficult experiences. By reconnecting with the present moment, clients develop self-awareness and find meaningful resolution.

My approach is deeply compassionate and non-judgmental. I prioritize creating a safe space where you feel held, understood, and empowered.

In our sessions we'll use:

Trauma therapy isn’t about erasing the past but transforming it into a source of strength. Your past experiences shape your unique richness. They become what sets you apart and help you contribute to the world.