Brainspotting Meets Art Therapy
By Stephanie Cantrell
Unlocking the Body's Wisdom: Brainspotting Meets Art Therapy
In the quiet moments of creativity—when brush meets paper or clay softens under touch —something remarkable can happen. Art therapy has long been recognised as a powerful way to access parts of ourselves that words can’t always reach. When paired with Brainspotting, a focused somatic psychotherapy, the healing potential can deepen in profoundly integrative ways.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting (developed by Dr. David Grand) is a therapeutic technique that locates points in a person's visual field that correlate with stored trauma or emotional activation in the body. The idea is simple yet profound: "Where you look affects how you feel." By holding gentle attention on a specific "brainspot," the nervous system can process and release what has been held—often outside of conscious awareness.
And how does this connect with art therapy?
Art therapy gives form to our inner world. In a Brainspotting session integrated with art making, the creative process becomes a bridge between the implicit (felt, somatic) and explicit (verbal, conscious) experiences. This allows insight, memory, and emotion to emerge through colour, shape, and symbol, bypassing the mind’s usual defences. Together, Brainspotting and art therapy offer a potent, mostly non-verbal pathway for healing trauma, regulating the nervous system, and fostering deep reconnection with self. It’s especially powerful for those who feel stuck—creatively, emotionally, or somatically—and are seeking a gentle yet transformative approach. You don’t need to be an artist or have a story ready to tell—just a willingness to explore what unfolds when stillness, gaze, and the creative process come together.
Enquire now to work with Steph
Stephanie (she/her) is an ACA-registered Counsellor with a background in Theatre Arts, Kinesiology, and Doula training, currently completing her Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice (MIECAT). She combines her love of learning, creativity, and nature to provide a safe, compassionate space for healing. Through Wyldering Therapeutic Arts, Stephanie offers counselling that blends expressive arts and nature therapy, supporting clients to connect with their own inner wisdom.
Based in North-East Victoria, Stephanie brings empathy, experience, and a holistic approach to her practice. She is available in Albury, Wodonga, Beechworth, and Chiltern, with home, school, and occasional travel options.
✨ Interested in working with Stephanie? Fill in the form below to book a free 15-minute consultation and see if she’s the right fit for you and a good fit for what you need in a counsellor.