Accelerated Resolution Therapy
I recently got trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and have been loving using it with clients! In this article, I’ll explain a little about what ART is, what is helps, and some answer some frequently asked questions, so that you can get a better idea of whether ART is something you’d like to try.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a type of brain-body therapy that uses back-and-forth eye movements, noticing your body’s sensations, and guided imagery, to replace distressing images and sensations with positive ones of your choice.
ART works directly to rewire the way your brain and body hold onto distressing memories and images, so that they no longer trigger intense physical and emotional reactions.
ART is highly structured and also highly creative, so you’re in control of the process and I, as your therapist, am a helpful guide.
Although traumatic or distressing experiences can be painful to visualize, ART’s structure and your therapist will help you to move through the pain and toward the positive changes you want to make.
Sessions are often calming and even joyful for both you and your therapist, especially toward the end. (That’s where the sparkly magic tends to happen!)
What does ART help with?
ART has been proved effective in treating:
Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Depression
Grief
Phobias
Anxiety
Addiction
ART may also help with negative self-image, relationship issues, stress and performance enhancement.
FAQ
Is ART art therapy? As in, painting, drawing, etc?
No, however, ART is highly creative and may feel like creating mental art.
Is ART the same as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)?
No. ART and EMDR both use eye movements, but have many differences. For example, ART is more structured with directive guided imagery, whereas EMDR uses free association. You can read more about the differences here.
I have an eye condition. Can ART still work for me?
Yes! Depending on your eye condition, you may wish to talk with your doctor before beginning ART’s eye movements. We can test out using the standard eye movements, and if needed, switch to tactile bilateral stimulation instead, such as self-tapping on your knees or collarbones.
I’m worried about replacing negative images with positives - I don’t want to forget what happened.
In ART, you won’t forget the facts of what happened, you’ll just lose the distressing images and sensations. You may lose your hypervigilence, but not your vigilence (you ability to keep yourself safe).
How long does ART take?
Each issue typically takes 1-5 sessions to resolve. Ongoing issues may require more sessions as each layer is processed. You may also choose to extend therapy in order integrate your changes.
You can schedule multiple sessions in a week if you’d like to work intensively.
You can learn more about ART, including the evidence base, here.
Interested in trying an ART session? Contact me to set up a consultation or 90 minute session!
