Brainspotting · Phase 3
Frame Set-Up 1 of 4
Induced (Advanced) Gazespotting
The gaze is induced rather than caught: the therapist observes where the eyes spontaneously go for both the activation and the resource.
1
Activate around the issue
Guide the client to activate around an issue, take the SUDs, then locate the body activation.
2
Shift attention to the issue, eyes open
Guide the client, with eyes open, to shift their attention to the issue and body activation.
3
Note the Activation Gazespot
Observe where the client's eyes spontaneously shift with this process.
4
Shift attention to the positive
Guide the client to note a positive aspect of the issue, a potential positive outcome or resolution, or the Body Resource.
5
Note the Resource Gazespot
Again, observe where the client's eyes spontaneously shift.
6
Process from either spot, or pendulate
Guide the client to process off the Activation Gazespot, the Resource Gazespot, or pendulate between the two.
Brainspotting Phase 3 · Frame set-up guides · August 2026 edition1 / 4
Brainspotting · Phase 3
Frame Set-Up 2 of 4
DoubleSpotting
Two Inside Window spots work in tandem: an Activation Spot that is bookmarked, and a Resource Spot where most of the processing happens.
1
Find the Inside Window spot
This is then called the IW Activation Spot.
2
Bookmark the spot
The client remembers it for a later return.
3
Find the Body Resource
Guide the client to the calm, grounded area of their body.
4
Find the Resource Spot
The Inside Window spot that matches the Body Resource.
5
Retake the SUDs level on the Resource Spot
6
Process on the Resource Spot and Body Resource
Continue until it reaches a Squeezed Lemon Zero.
7
Return to the Activation Spot and retake the SUDs
If SUDs is above 3, return to the Resource Spot for more processing. If SUDs is 0-3, finish the processing on the Activation Spot to a Squeezed Lemon Zero.
Brainspotting Phase 3 · Frame set-up guides · August 2026 edition2 / 4
Brainspotting · Phase 3
Frame Set-Up 3 of 4
Advanced Z Axis BrainSweeps & Proximity
Two ways of working the depth dimension with the pointer once a brainspot is established.
BrainSweeps
Repeated, slow backward movements of the pointer on the angle of the brainspot.
Proximity work
The pointer moves gradually closer to the client's eyes on the brainspot. As this happens, the SUDs usually increases temporarily.
Handing over the pointer
When the spot becomes close enough, the pointer is handed to the client, who holds it and moves it closer themselves.
Brainspotting Phase 3 · Frame set-up guides · August 2026 edition3 / 4
Brainspotting · Phase 3
Frame Set-Up 4 of 4
PartSpotting
Brainspotting applied to parts work: the gazespot is wherever the client locates the part in the room.
1
Invite the part to present itself
Guide the client to ask a part (ego state) to come out or present itself.
2
Locate the part in the room
Ask where the part is, and guide the client to look/gaze at it.
3
Process on the PartSpot
That eye position becomes the PartSpot, looked at while processing the part.
Before you begin
Please remember to get permission from the part to work.
Brainspotting Phase 3 · Frame set-up guides · August 2026 edition4 / 4