A core theme in Brainspotting is the principle of uncertainty. Like EMDR and IFS, we can’t always predict how a client’s system will process or respond, and that vulnerability can feel daunting as we hold space for others. Yet, it’s through our willingness to tolerate this uncertainty and maintain a compassionate, mindful presence that clients often discover their own power to change. I’ve noticed this same pattern in our work as clinicians: the messy, sometimes awkward process of learning new concepts, trying out new tools, and fumbling through explanations as we find our footing. It’s in this messiness—this willingness to experiment and risk not knowing—that real growth happens, both for us and for those we serve.

My journey into intensive work began by chance about two years ago. A client expressed that engaging in EMDR for two one-hour sessions each week felt exhausting and asked if we could switch to one two-hour session instead. We did just that, and three two-hour sessions later, we cleared her trauma. After a future template session, we wrapped up therapy, having met all her goals. As a clinician, I was both amazed and energized at the efficiency of the work & that I could utilize my entire EMDR skill set in those longer sessions—something that often felt elusive in the standard weekly format.