Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a therapy modality that harnesses the brain’s functioning as a way of moving past difficult traumatic memories. Some traumatic memories make it hard for people to live in the present, triggering anxious thoughts and upset emotions. ART “reprograms” your brain so that those painful memories get placed in your brain’s history and you can move forward in your life without barriers.

What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a therapy modality that is considered a short-term therapy where clients generally see progress in as little as one session. The goal of ART is to decrease the client’s physical reactions to memories of traumatic experiences. For example, if a client tends to get sweaty palms when they think about a past toxic relationship, ART will work to decrease the occurrence of the sweaty palms. By lowering the physical manifestations of the trauma, clients can more comfortably go about their daily lives without worrying whether they’ll feel anxious.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) relies on the brain’s memory processing function. By using very specific eye movements, clients activate the part of the brain that handles memory. This part of the brain tells people whether an experience is in the present or in the past. The goal of ART is to remind the brain that the memory is in the past and that it cannot hurt you in the present. It also aims to desensitize you to painful memories so that you don’t feel the physical manifestations of anxiety, as you aren’t in danger.

What happens in an Accelerated Resolution Therapy session?

In ART sessions, the therapist will take their client through a series of relaxing eye movements. This activates the memory processing center of the brain and helps clients feel relaxed.

The therapist will then prompt the client to think through different components and details of a selected painful memory. Therapists may encourage clients to replace specific details of their memory with less painful elements. This desensitizes the memory and may make it easier for the client to think about, especially without reacting physically to the anxiety or pain.

After the completion of the eye movement patterns, the therapist will then ask the client to describe how they’re feeling. There will be a space to talk about anything that arose during the session.

The client may talk aloud about what they’re visualizing, or they may remain quiet and simply listen to the therapist’s directions. However, it’s important that the therapist and the client have a strong, trusting relationship at its foundation. Clients might also consider preparing for ART by selecting a specific troubling memory on which to focus.

What can Accelerated Resolution Therapy help with?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an evidence-based therapy modality that can be helpful with:

• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Substance abuse
• Relationship conflicts

Because ART’s goal is to decrease the occurrence of trauma reactions, it is a modality best suited for people whose trauma symptoms inhibit their ability to enjoy their daily lives. It’s important to find a therapist who is trained or certified in ART. Therapists credentialed in this type of therapy will administer trauma-informed and safe treatment so that you can move past a difficult part of your life.