Want to Stop Reacting to Your Feelings? A Therapist in San Jose Shares How Brainspotting Can Help
By Janie Sacks, Therapist in San Jose
Wish there was a fast-forward button on therapy in San Jose? Today we are going to dive into options for therapy that go beyond talk therapy to help you stop letting your emotions run the show. We all experience emotions daily—sometimes big, sometimes small, but always there. Whether it's feeling stressed at work, overwhelmed by a personal situation, or simply the ups and downs of life, our emotions can take over before we even realize it. Often, we react without thinking, or worse, we judge ourselves for feeling a certain way. But what if there was a way to notice those feelings, without the impulse to react or criticize ourselves?
As a Brainspotting therapist in San Jose, I see clients every day who struggle with being overwhelmed by their emotions or who carry a lot of self-judgment about their feelings. Brainspotting helps them tap into a space of non-judgmental awareness, where they can notice their emotions, acknowledge them, and allow them to pass without reacting or labeling them as "good" or "bad."
What is Brainspotting? Insights from a Therapist in San Jose
At its core, Brainspotting is a trauma-focused therapy that works with the brain’s natural ability to process emotions and experiences. It uses your eye position to access specific points in your brain where unresolved trauma, stress, or difficult emotions are stored. By focusing on these “brainspots” while feeling safe and supported, your brain can begin to process those deep, often stuck emotions in a way that talking about them alone can't always achieve.
But Brainspotting is about more than just resolving trauma—it's about becoming deeply connected to your emotional experience, without needing to react to it or judge yourself for feeling what you feel.
How Brainspotting Helps You Notice, Not React to, Your Emotions
One of the key principles of Brainspotting is the concept of mindful observation. During a session, as you focus on your brainspot and the sensations or emotions that arise, you practice simply noticing them. Instead of rushing to explain or react to what you're feeling, you're encouraged to be curious and compassionate toward yourself. This is a whole new concept for some people!
You might feel a wave of anxiety, sadness, or even anger. Instead of trying to make those feelings go away, Brainspotting helps you sit with them. You observe them as they move through your body, noticing their intensity, where they show up physically, and what thoughts come with them.
By doing this, you build a new relationship with your feelings—one that’s based on curiosity rather than reaction. You're no longer stuck in the cycle of reacting impulsively or judging yourself for having strong emotions. Instead, you're becoming aware, learning from your emotional responses, and allowing them to shift naturally.
The Importance of Not Reacting to Your Feelings: A San Jose Therapist's Perspective
When we notice our emotions without reacting or judging them, we’re able to break free from patterns of emotional reactivity. You know those moments when something triggers you, and before you know it, you're either snapping at someone or spiraling into negative thoughts? Brainspotting creates the space for you to pause and recognize what’s really going on inside.
You learn that emotions are like waves—they rise, peak, and eventually fall. And when we stop trying to suppress them or react to them immediately, we give those emotions the room to pass naturally. This leads to greater emotional resilience and less stress in the long run.
How Compassion and Curiosity Can Transform Your Emotional Response
As a therapist in San Jose, one of the things I emphasize in my practice is the importance of self-compassion. Brainspotting gives you the tools to approach your emotions with kindness, rather than criticism.
Let’s face it: we’re all our own worst critics. When we feel anxious, angry, or overwhelmed, we often add another layer of suffering by thinking, “I shouldn’t feel this way. Why can’t I just be calm?” . We have feelings about our feelings! Brainspotting helps shift this internal dialogue. Instead of judging your feelings, you start to embrace a mindset of curiosity: “I’m feeling this way for a reason. What’s my body trying to tell me?”
This compassionate awareness allows you to build a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotional world. Over time, you'll notice that you're able to sit with difficult emotions more easily and respond to life’s challenges with a greater sense of calm and clarity.
Looking for a Therapist in San Jose? How Brainspotting Can Support Your Emotional Healing
If you're looking for a way to manage your emotions more effectively, Brainspotting may be a helpful tool for you. As a Brainspotting therapist in San Jose, I work with clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, and everyday stress, helping them move beyond emotional reactivity and into a space of greater emotional awareness and self-compassion. Whether you're facing a specific trauma or just want to feel more grounded in your daily life, Brainspotting can offer a transformative experience.
By learning how to notice your feelings with curiosity and compassion, rather than reacting to or judging them, you open the door to greater emotional freedom and peace.
If you’re curious about how Brainspotting could work for you, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out, and let’s explore how this powerful technique can support you on your journey toward healing and emotional resilience.
Janie Sacks, Therapist in San Jose
Specializing in Brainspotting, Anxiety, and Trauma Therapy