The short version

TRE is a body-based practice that activates the body's natural tremor reflex through a set of physical exercises, letting self-regulated shaking discharge tension and support nervous-system regulation. Brainspotting, developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, uses eye position — a "brainspot" in the visual field — to access and process trauma held in the brain and body, within a focused therapeutic relationship. TRE works through the body's movement; Brainspotting works through where you look and the focused attention that follows.

Where they come from

Brainspotting emerged from the world of EMDR. Dr. Grand, working with eye movements, noticed that a fixed eye position could hold and unlock a reservoir of traumatic experience. From that observation he developed Brainspotting as its own modality, grounded in the idea that "where you look affects how you feel" and that the brain can process and release material when attention is anchored on the right spot.

TRE comes from Dr. David Berceli's work in conflict and disaster settings, where he observed the body's spontaneous shaking in the aftermath of danger. He designed a simple, repeatable series of exercises to evoke that neurogenic tremor deliberately, giving people direct access to the body's self-regulating mechanism — without needing to focus on or revisit a specific memory.

How each one works in practice

Brainspotting

A Brainspotting session is relational and focused. The practitioner helps the client locate a brainspot — an eye position connected to an activating issue — and then supports the client in holding mindful attention there while the nervous system processes. It often pairs with bilateral sound and relies on a strong, attuned therapeutic relationship. It's typically used to process specific traumatic material, performance blocks, or somatic distress, one-to-one.

TRE

A TRE session centers on the body rather than the gaze or the narrative. The exercises evoke the tremor reflex, and the body largely leads from there. A facilitator establishes safety, paces the session, and helps the person stay within their window of tolerance, but the release itself is the client's own physiology at work. Crucially, once learned, TRE can be practiced independently — making it a self-sustaining tool rather than something that only happens in session.

A side-by-side comparison

Mechanism. TRE evokes physical, self-regulated tremoring; Brainspotting uses eye position and focused attention to access and process trauma.

Self-directed vs. guided. TRE can be practiced solo once learned; Brainspotting is delivered within a practitioner-client relationship.

Relationship to specific memories. Brainspotting typically works on a particular activating issue or memory; TRE generally doesn't require identifying or revisiting specific content.

Training path. Brainspotting training is usually structured in phases for licensed mental-health professionals. TRE certification is more modular and open to dedicated practitioners as well as clinicians.

Best fit. Brainspotting excels at focused, one-to-one processing of specific material. TRE excels as an accessible, repeatable regulation practice for stress and tension — usable with individuals and groups, and continuable at home.

Which should you train in?

A few honest signposts to help you decide:

• If you're a licensed clinician who wants a focused method for processing specific trauma and blocks one-to-one, Brainspotting is a strong, well-supported path.
• If you want a body-first tool you can offer to individuals and groups — one clients can also practice independently — with a shorter, modular route to certification that's open to non-clinicians too, TRE may suit you better.
• If you want range, the two layer well. Brainspotting can target and process a specific knot; TRE gives clients an ongoing, self-directed way to discharge tension between sessions and sustain regulation.

This isn't an either/or for many practitioners. Brainspotting offers precise, attention-based processing; TRE offers an embodied, self-renewing release the client can carry into daily life. Used together, they cover more ground than either does alone.

Want to add TRE to your practice?

If TRE is the tool you'd like to offer — alongside Brainspotting or on its own — our partner organization Neurogenic Integration runs a supervised TRE Certification on TRE For All's Global Certification pathway, endorsed by Dr. David Berceli and led by Alex Greene (Red Beard's founder), Dr. Siv Jøssang Shields, and Ellen McKenzie.

It's a live online cohort across three modules (Aug 2026 – Jan 2027), with personal sessions and video-reviewed facilitation included. Full certification is $3,200 early bird (by July 1, 2026); the standalone foundations module is $450 and open to everyone. Applications close August 1, 2026.

Explore the TRE Certification and apply →

Frequently asked questions

Is TRE the same as Brainspotting?

No. Brainspotting uses eye position and focused attention to access and process trauma within a therapeutic relationship, while TRE uses physical exercises to evoke a self-regulated tremor reflex in the body. They engage the nervous system through different doorways and can complement each other.

Can I use TRE and Brainspotting together?

Yes. Brainspotting can target and process specific material in session, while TRE gives clients a body-based practice they can continue on their own to sustain regulation. Many practitioners value having both.

Do I have to be a licensed therapist to train in TRE?

No. Brainspotting training is generally geared toward licensed mental-health professionals, but the TRE certification pathway welcomes bodyworkers, movement teachers, coaches, and committed personal practitioners as well. You can see a TRE certification pathway here.

Which is faster to get certified in?

TRE certification is typically more modular and shorter than a full Brainspotting phase sequence, and it's open to non-clinicians. The Neurogenic Integration cohort runs across three live modules from August 2026 to January 2027.

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