Q&A with Certified Brainspotting Practitioner Jenny Hayes

1. What exactly is Brainspotting? What can Brainspotting address? What makes it so effective? Where can I learn more about it?

Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps you access the root of emotional pain, trauma, or performance blocks. It works by using the visual field to find “brain spots,” or specific areas where the brain and body hold unresolved experiences. These brain spots are directly related to how the body stores unprocessed memories and emotions. One of the unique benefits of Brainspotting is that you do not need to know exactly when and how the trauma occurred, nor do you need to relive the trauma in order to heal. Brainspotting allows you to process your emotions in a safe and supported way and unlock your brain's natural healing abilities.
We are wonderfully and beautifully made, and our brains and bodies are wired to heal if given the right tools. Since the late 1800s, psychology and medicine have treated the brain and body as separate systems, but our ancestors knew better. Now we are rediscovering how deeply interconnected they are. This is what makes Brainspotting so effective. It uses the brain-body connection to process stuck emotions without getting bogged down in painful memories or over-analyzing things.
Brainspotting can address a wide range of issues, including emotional pain, chronic stress, unresolved trauma, and performance blocks. It is used to heal people from PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc., but it is also powerful for high achievers who feel stuck or held back by invisible barriers. Unlike many other methods that can take weeks, months, or even years, most clients see significant progress in just one to three sessions. One client recently told me that if she had known about this type of work, it would have saved her from being stuck for nine years.

A great place to learn more about Brainspotting is inventor David Grand's website or his books. My website also includes information about Brainspotting and how entrepreneurs and other high achievers can benefit from it.
______________________________________________________
2. Why do high achievers often suffer from impostor syndrome and how can they avoid it? Can Brainspotting help overcome it?

High achievers are driven by an inner desire to excel, which can lead to incredible success, but it also creates a pressure cooker of self-doubt. No matter how much you accomplish, it always feels like it's never enough. Imposter syndrome creeps in when you start doubting your worth and fooling everyone into thinking you're more capable than you are. It's always the fear of being found out.

The roots of impostor syndrome are often found in early life experiences, messages that tell us we need to be perfect or are never good enough. These experiences become trapped in the body and brain as emotional blocks, creating patterns of fear, self-doubt, and anxiety.
Brainspotting is helpful because it doesn't just address surface-level thoughts like “I'm a fraud.” It taps into the emotional core of those thoughts and allows your body and brain to process the fear, shame, and doubt behind imposter syndrome.
Many high achievers come to Brainspotting thinking they are struggling with self-confidence, but are then overcome with fear of failure and the belief that success comes with constant pressure to perform. I realize I'm falling into it. Through Brainspotting, we release these emotional charges and help our clients take full ownership of their success without the constant fear of being “discovered.” By removing that emotional block, you can embrace your accomplishments with pride instead of fear.

______________________________________________________

3. Can you share a personal story of how Brainspotting helped you? Have you been able to overcome major challenges in your own life?

absolutely. I've been through so many business coaching programs that I felt like I had exhausted all options. Even though I learned a lot, I wasn't moving forward. Every time I tried to implement a strategy I knew, I would freeze. Even though I was gathering information, I couldn't take any action, and I became increasingly frustrated. I started thinking, “Am I the only one?” Why can't I do this? ”
That's when I discovered Brainspotting. I wasn't sure if it would work for me. I thought, “What if I don’t know what’s holding me back?” But what I've learned is that you don't need to know the exact moment that fear or doubt took root. The brain knows how to process stuck points without having to relive all the painful details.

In the first session, I revealed a deep-seated fear of failure. It wasn't related to any particular event. I was always worried that if I put myself out there, I would fail again. Brainspotting allowed me to feel and release that fear and move forward freely.
After that one session, something changed. I started taking action on my business and launched projects that I had neglected for months. The emotional baggage was lifted and I no longer fought against myself. This is how Brainspotting works. It will help you move forward if nothing else works.
______________________________________________________

4. What advice would you give to someone who is feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Are you looking for a way to heal and move forward?

First, take a deep breath and know that just because you feel stuck doesn't mean you're a failure. It's easy to get caught up in a cycle of trying harder, trying to figure out the next strategy, only to end up failing at the same place. It's usually not a lack of effort that's keeping you stuck, but an unaddressed emotional block.

Feeling stuck can be very frustrating, especially when you've done all the “right” things like setting goals, working with a coach, and mindset work. But if you have emotional blocks tied to past experiences, no amount of strategy will help you until those blocks are dealt with. The problem isn't you, it's your unprocessed emotions.

This is where Brainspotting comes into play. Rather than focusing on willpower or mindset changes, Brainspotting allows you to access and release emotional blocks without having to know exactly where they came from. can. It taps into the natural healing power of the brain and body, ultimately freeing you from feeling stuck.

Clients often say they feel lighter and feel relief immediately after working through these blocks. Whether it's taking action in business or overcoming self-doubt, things that felt impossible suddenly start to feel achievable. Clearing your emotional clutter allows you to naturally move forward without constant conflict. Your weight will be lighter and your life will start moving again.
______________________________________________________
5. What kind of hypnosis Do you want to practice? What do you mean? hypnosis Do you do it for your customers? What kind of training do you recommend?

Hypnosis in Texas can only be practiced by licensed mental health professionals, so I use guided meditation techniques influenced by hypnosis. This is especially helpful for clients who have trouble connecting with their bodies, and is key to making Brainspotting even more effective.

Guided meditation helps quiet the mind and connect the body to the healing process. Many high achievers rely heavily on their “thinking brain” to logically analyze problems, formulate strategies, and solve problems. But overthinking, especially when it comes to deep-seated fears and trauma, can hinder emotional healing. Guided meditation allows clients to relax into a state where the mind quiets and the body can access the deeper emotional layers that need healing.

Additionally, guided meditation after a Brainspotting session can be very helpful for clients. After a session, clients often feel a sense of relief, hope, and possibility. By engaging in short meditations over the next few days, you can rediscover a sense of progress and possibility, reinforce positive changes, and maintain a healing and forward-moving mindset.

I have experienced many different approaches when it comes to training. There are easier and more effective courses on platforms like Udemy, but more advanced methods like Conversational Hypnosis by David Snyder and Training by Mike Mandel offer deeper insight. Part of my learning comes from life experiences. As a paramedic, I learned how to calm patients in their most difficult moments, and I learned to deeply connect with music, prayer, and people by leading worship. These experiences shape the way I approach hypnosis and guided meditation.

Contrary to the idea that “hypnosis can only do what you want it to do,” research shows that hypnosis is more complex, so I believe that formal education is essential. Hypnosis requires skill, compassion, and a good heart to safely navigate your subconscious mind. That is why I recommend that anyone who wants to practice hypnosis professionally undergo thorough training. Approaching it with the right mindset and education will allow you to provide your clients with the safest and most effective experience possible.
______________________________________________________

6. Is there anything else?
One thing you should know is that healing doesn't have to be painful or difficult. So many people believe that in order to heal, they need to dig up their trauma, relive it, and analyze every moment of their past. However, they often also believe that they should be strong enough to overcome anything that stands in their way. The truth is, you don't have to face this alone, and we don't have to work together to overcome it. With Brainspotting, you don't have to do that. Your brain and body already know where emotional pain is stored and, given the right tools, can release it without re-traumatizing it.
We are designed to heal. You don't have to try too hard or figure everything out on your own. In some cases, the missing part isn't more effort, but finding the right way to handle what's blocking you emotionally. Brainspotting harnesses that natural healing power, allowing you to move forward without getting bogged down in analysis or relying on pure willpower.

If you've ever wondered what emotional blocks are holding you back, we've created a free quiz to help you identify them. This is an easy way to get a clearer picture of what's getting in the way of you reaching your full potential. You can also find more information on my web page.

*************

Jenny Hayes is a certified Brainspotting practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare and emotional healing. After working as a paramedic, she now helps high-achieving entrepreneurs overcome limiting beliefs, impostor syndrome, and emotional blocks that keep them stuck. Through Brainspotting, Jenny's clients experience breakthroughs in just one to three sessions, unlocking their full potential and moving forward with confidence.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *