Brainspotting:
A Brain-Based Therapeutic Approach
Eliminate Mental Blocks & Improve Physical Performance
Welcome
Everyone has to perform in some way, every day, as an individual or part of a team. Unfortunately, public performing increases performance anxiety, and the stress can cause some to end their career or at least undermine it. The mental-emotional aspects of performing are now openly acknowledged. Yet, when traditional approaches fail, athletes and coaches don’t know that effective help is available; this is even true for the most extreme cases.
- Are you performing below the level of your potential? Yes?
- Do you want to be performing better than you ever thought possible? Yes?
- Is it unacceptable to you to never become your best? Yes?
If your answers are yes and you are ready, reach out, Now!
This is very true for the:
- Actor
- Athlete
- Musician
- Public Presenter
Our Center
Our focus is on improving your ability to perform effectively so you can accomplish your goals and live the life that you want. We not only work with high level athletes and other public performers, but with regular people who want to improve their ability to perform in their personal, social or professional life.
Our goal is for you to quickly remove your blocks so that you can achieve your highest level of performing. Your personal goal might be to reduce your anxiety and fear so you can commit to your romantic partner or your professional goal might be to neutralize a performance trauma and become a high performer on your team.
We focus on Brainspotting (BSP) as our core approach due to its effectiveness, especially with trauma. We also use valuable tools such as Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Mindful Creativity, Positive Psychology, Structural Thinking, and other approaches.
Our Focuses
We have three focuses:
1. Reduce the intensity of a past painful experience, removing blocks that undermine your ability to perform. This includes, eliminating the “Yips.”
2. Connect with your personal inner resources and increase your ability to utilize them. Resources such as:
- Calmness
- Curiosity
- Courage
- Confidence
- Optimism
- and of course, Motivation
3. Expand your ability to perform and tap into the state of Flow, commonly called “The Zone” and “The Groove.”
Performance

Performance Traumas
Traumas: Most adults have had an event that still feels traumatic. Not necessarily a PTSD trauma, but an accident, failure, humiliation, illness, injury, loss, etc., that when re-experienced, is upsetting.
These painful memories become stuck in the mid-brain, commonly known as the unconscious. In neuroscience this is known as a Freeze (Fight, Flight, Freeze). This causes the person’s mind to become blocked, resulting in both emotional and physical pain. Left untreated, this unprocessed memory can cause major performance issues.
Performance Traumas: Most performers have experienced personal and professional traumas that can undermine their future performances. They have missed their mark, interacted poorly with a fellow performer, or gotten into their head. They are physically and emotionally traumatized and build over time.
Sports traumas often come from accidents, failures, humiliations, and injuries. Traditional approaches seldom help and traditional sports psychology has not accepted this reality.

Performance Problems
Repetitive Sports Performance Problems, especially the yips, are caused by traumas. Brainspotting can effectively neutralize these problems, even the yips.
One sad example is that of Mackey Sasser, a starting catcher with the New York Mets. During his all-pro level 1990 season he was aggressively run over at home plate. This was the end stage of a lifetime of trauma. His yips became obvious and he was mocked by the fans and the media. He would often have to pump his arm several times and sometimes even then he couldn’t release the ball without walking towards the pitcher. This was the beginning of the end to his baseball career.
Dr. David Grand worked with Mackey and in only three sessions, in one day, they got his yips under control. Watch the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, “Fields of Fear.”
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a highly effective, brain-based, and client-centered approach. It is so organic, natural, and simple that it is sometimes referred to as magical. It mimics the way your brain and body normally process and resolve negative experiences. During the actual processing of a specific issue, you don’t have to share what that specific topic or event is or any details. This is the opposite approach of traditional talk therapy that is still used to attempt to process deep issues and traumas.
The Process
With help you will identify and focus on the issue that you want to resolve or the activity that you want to improve or enhance. You will find your “brain spot,” which is a point of focus in the visual field in front of you, and which is connected to the issue that you are processing. Every brainspot is unique to you and your specific issue. You will softly focus on your bsp while you feel your emotions and body sensations. This allows your brain and body to organically process your chosen issue to completion and with the best outcome for you. That outcome could be the:
- Neutralizing a past traumatic experience
- Connecting with useful internal resources
- Expansion of a future performance
Bi-Lateral music or nature sounds is used to activate your brain and to relax you. Many advanced Brainspotting approaches may be used.
The Experience!
My clients often share that they start with hope and apprehension, yet as soon as they experience the immediate effectiveness of brainspotting, their apprehension shifts to relief and appreciation. As they resolve each issue or trauma, their expectations for peace, closure and higher performance increase.
Quotes That Inspire & Educate!
Resources
Please visit our Resources page and enjoy the videos and articles.
Contact Information
- Center's Phone:
(719) 494-4208 - Dr. Rohrer Phone:
(925) 595-6433 - Dr. Schiebert's Phone:
(510) 917-4001
Public Presentations
Dr. Rohrer is available to speak at conferences, and to local businesses or community groups on topics such as living your strengths, increasing happiness, and optimal performing.