Sarah Gregg, LCSW Wholistic Counseling

Offerings

At Sarah Gregg, LCSW Wholistic Counseling, I specialize in Brainspotting and wholistic counseling to support individuals facing trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic medical conditions, and transitions throughout the lifespan. I work with the whole person—brain, body, and spirit—to promote healing. I believe everyone has the capacity to heal with the right therapeutic support, and together we can find the strategies to help you overcome trauma, strengthen your internal resources, and build resilience.

With over 25 years of experience, I approach therapy from an attachment-focused, interpersonal neurobiological framework—healing happens through connection. I am deeply committed to social justice and co-creating a safe, healing space for all through the use of compassion, connection and humor.

ABOUT

Hello! I’m Sarah, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Portland, Oregon. I’m originally from a long line of Oregonians and proud to call Portland home. I earned my Masters degree in Social Work from Portland State University and my Bachelors degree in Social Work from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR.

Before starting my private practice, I spent over 25 years working in various settings which offered me diverse perspectives on therapy and reminded me daily of our resiliency.

My clinical experience has included
• Supporting people at a Domestic Violence shelter and on a crisis line
• Helping adults with chronic mental illness and intellectual disabilities in their homes
• Working with families involved with child welfare, offering parenting support and family counseling
• Providing care in medical settings to variety of populations including geriatrics, midwifery, pediatrics, family practice, and the Weight and Diabetes Institute counseling patients through the bariatric surgery process.
I have also maintained a private practice through a subscription based on-line therapy service.

When I’m not working, I love to unwind with a good book or TV show, take a nap, or spend time with my family, pets, and friends. I also enjoy playing games, traveling, and occasionally escaping for a solo getaway to recharge and fill my cup!

APPROACH

Learn about Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003 that is primarily used to help individuals process trauma, emotional pain, and other psychological issues. It is based on the idea that where you look can influence how you feel, and that by focusing on a particular eye position, a person can access deeper areas of the brain that hold unresolved emotional and physical experiences.

Key Principles of Brainspotting:

Eye Position and Processing: Brainspotting is grounded in the idea that there are "brainspots," which are specific eye positions that correlate with the activation of emotional and somatic experiences. These eye positions are often tied to unresolved trauma or emotional disturbances.
Dual Attunement: This concept refers to the therapist being attuned to both the client’s emotional state and their physical state. The therapist guides the client in finding the eye position (brainspot) that corresponds to their issue and helps process the emotions that come up when focusing on it.
Activation of the Unconscious: Brainspotting can allow access to unconscious material, as the eye positions can stimulate the brain’s deeper emotional centers, particularly those connected to trauma and unresolved experiences.
Simplicity and Directness: Unlike other therapies that may require extensive talking or analysis, brainspotting focuses more on the client’s bodily sensations and emotional responses as they concentrate on specific eye positions. This can allow for faster, more direct processing.

How Brainspotting Works:

The Setup: The therapist asks the client to focus on an issue or trauma that they want to process. The therapist may use a pointer or other visual cues to help the client find the appropriate eye position.
Spotting the Brainspot: Once the client finds the eye position (sometimes in response to the pointer or other cues), they focus on that spot. This is the "brainspot." The therapist encourages the client to notice the physical and emotional sensations that arise during this process.
Processing the Experience: While focusing on the brainspot, the client may experience emotional shifts, memories, or physical sensations. The therapist helps guide the client through these experiences, allowing for the emotional release and healing to take place.
Release and Integration: After the emotional charge has been processed, the client may experience a sense of relief or resolution. Brainspotting allows for the integration of these feelings, which can lead to improved emotional regulation and a reduction in trauma-related symptoms.

Benefits of Brainspotting:

Effective for Trauma: It has been shown to be effective for people dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related disorders.
Can Work for Different Populations: It has been used with a wide range of people, including veterans, athletes, abuse survivors, and individuals dealing with chronic pain.
Non-Verbal Processing: Because it doesn’t require a lot of talking, it can be particularly useful for individuals who find it difficult to verbalize their emotions or experiences, such as those who have experienced severe trauma.

Applications:

Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and Depression
Chronic pain
Performance enhancement (in athletes, musicians, etc.)
Stress reduction

While research into brainspotting is still growing, many clients and therapists have found it to be an effective and transformative tool for emotional healing. It is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques to provide a holistic approach to mental health treatment.