BIPOC Brainspotting Intensive Application

Welcome fellow Brainspotters!

Thank you for your interest in the April 2027 BIPOC Brainspotting Intensive. This application includes important information about the Intensive, so please take the time to read it thoroughly before beginning the application.

This five-day Intensive is an opportunity to move beyond simply learning additional Brainspotting techniques and into a deeper, embodied experience of the work. The Intensive is highly experiential, relational, and reflective.

Throughout the five days, participants will move between the roles of client and practitioner. Each day will include two experiential Brainspotting sessions, followed by time for reflection and in-depth debriefing.

With only 10 participants, there will be substantial opportunity for individualized attention, practice, observation, meaningful connection, and reflection. I will be actively involved in your learning, including sitting beside you while you practice and offering individualized guidance.

This Intensive is designed for BIPOC Brainspotting practitioners who have completed Brainspotting Phase 1 and Phase 2, and have experience using Brainspotting with clients.

What we will explore
During the Intensive, we will explore areas including:

·      Clinical presence and attunement

·      Trusting your clinical instincts

·      Tolerating uncertainty

·      The Self of the Brainspotting practitioner

·      Your own internal experience while practicing

·      How your nervous system and presence influence the therapeutic space

·      Experiencing Brainspotting from the client’s perspective

·      Practicing Brainspotting with another participant

·      Observation and Reflection

You do not need to arrive knowing everything or demonstrating expertise. The invitation is to come with curiosity, willingness to practice, openness to reflection, and a readiness to explore.

Why is there an Application process
This Intensive is intentionally limited to 10 participants, and the composition of the group matters.

Because the learning is highly experiential and relational, I want to be thoughtful about creating a learning community in which participants can learn with and from one another.

Completing this application does not automatically guarantee a place in the Intensive.

Before accepting a deposit, I will meet individually with each applicant. Our conversation will give us an opportunity to talk more about:

·      Your Brainspotting experience

·      Your goals for participating

·      What you are hoping to deepen in your practice

·      Your experience with experiential learning

·      What you are looking for in an Intensive learning community

·      Any questions or concerns you may have

Following these conversations, I will consider the overall fit for the group as participants are selected. My intention is not to create an exclusive environment, but to be thoughtful about the container we are creating together.

 

About the BIPOC Learning Community
This Intensive is intentionally designed for BIPOC Brainspotting practitioners.

There can be something powerful about learning in a space where we can bring our lived experiences, identities, cultural contexts, and perspectives into the room without having to continually explain or translate ourselves.

At the same time, this is not an assumption that BIPOC practitioners share one experience. We don’t.

The intention is to create a space where our differences and similarities can both be present, and where we can deepen our practice within community.

Please complete the below application for BIPOC Brainspotting Intensive with Linnea Swanson, Psy.D., M.A., LMFT, Approved Brainspotting Trainer and Consultant.

Please ensure you have adequate time to provide thoughful responses to these questions. 

 

Training Location:

Carondelet Event Center | St. Paul, Minnesota
In-person | BIPOC participants only
Limited to 10 participants

 

This Intensive involves a high level of interaction, practice, observation, feedback, and shared learning.

Because the group is intentionally small, each person’s participation affects the experience of everyone else.

I want participants to feel free to take up space—to ask questions, be enthusiastic, share ideas, practice, make mistakes, and be fully present.

At the same time, I want everyone to be able to notice when it may be time to make space for someone else.

There is no expectation that participants be quiet or hold themselves back. Rather, I am interested in how we navigate the balance between participation, curiosity, self-awareness, and consideration for others.

Before completing this application, please review the following expectations for participation in the April 2027 BIPOC Brainspotting Intensive. By completing this application, I confirm that I understand and agree to the following:

Training dates and attendance: I understand that the Intensive takes place April 15–19, 2027, and that I am expected to attend and participate for the full five days. Partial attendance is not permitted.

Tuition and payment: I understand that the total cost of the Intensive is $2,000 USD, with a $500 deposit due within one week of being invited to participate. I also understand that there is an additional $150 cost for breakfast and lunch, for a total cost of $2,150 USD. I understand that other applicable payment deadlines will be communicated to me and that I am responsible for meeting those deadlines. I understand that completing this application does not guarantee acceptance into the Intensive. If I am invited to participate, I will receive instructions for submitting the required deposit and subsequent payments.

Travel and Lodging: I understand that I am responsible for arranging and paying for my own transportation, travel, lodging, and other personal expenses associated with attending the Intensive. I understand that I make these arrangements at my own discretion and risk and that the trainer and organizers are not responsible for costs, cancellations, changes, delays, or other issues related to my travel or lodging.

Individual meeting: I agree to meet individually with the trainer before the Intensive. I understand that this conversation is an opportunity to discuss my experience, goals, expectations, questions, and any concerns, and is also part of determining whether the Intensive is a good fit for me and the learning community.

Pre-Intensive group meeting: I agree to participate in a 60- minute virtual group meeting with the trainer and other participants during the week before the Intensive. I understand that this meeting is intended to help us prepare for the Intensive, establish expectations, and begin building our learning community. April 12, 2027 12pm CDT.

Experiential learning: I understand that this is a highly experiential and interactive Intensive. Participation may include practicing Brainspotting with other participants, being a client, observing others, receiving and offering feedback, participating in discussions, and engaging in personal reflection.

Community participation: I understand that my participation affects the experience of everyone in the group. I agree to contribute to a learning environment that is respectful, curious, collaborative, and supportive.

Sharing space: I agree to be mindful of both taking up space and making space for others. I understand that active participation is encouraged while also being attentive to the amount of space I am taking in the group.

Respect and confidentiality: I agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of other participants and to treat differences in experience, perspective, identity, and professional approach with respect.

Feedback and communication: I agree to remain open to feedback and to communicate directly and respectfully if concerns, differences, or interpersonal difficulties arise.

Personal responsibility: I understand that I am responsible for my own participation, boundaries, learning, and well-being during the Intensive.

Questions and concerns: I understand that I am encouraged to ask questions and communicate any concerns with the trainer before or during the Intensive.

Acceptance: I understand that completing this application does not guarantee acceptance. The trainer will consider each application and the overall composition of the learning community when making final participant selections.

By completing this application, I confirm that I have had an opportunity to review these expectations, ask questions, and consider whether this Intensive is a good fit for me. I agree to the conditions and expectations outlined above as a participant in the April 2027 BIPOC Brainspotting Intensive.