Accelerated Resolution Therapy - A quick and evidenced based form of therapy to help treat trauma, anxiety, PTSD, relational issues, etc.
Understanding ART
Accelerated Resolution Therapy®(ART) is a brief, structured form of psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories and symptoms by changing how those memories are stored in the brain. ART removes triggers by erasing negative images from view. ART uses guided eye movements and visualization techniques to reduce emotional and physical reactions to past experiences while allowing you to stay fully in control. Many clients report significant relief in just a few sessions. Trauma and many other issues can often be resolved in just one session.
What to Expect
ART sessions are typically 60 minutes and follow a step-by-step process guided by a trained clinician. You do not need to describe your trauma in detail to benefit. The therapist will guide you through visualization and gentle eye movements to help your brain reprocess distressing images or sensations safely and effectively.
How ART Helps
Clinical studies have shown ART to be effective for trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and more. It may be especially useful for those who have not experienced relief from other therapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure.
Key Benefits
• Brief and focused; many clients experience relief within one session.
• No detailed retelling of trauma is required; making it easier for both therapist and client.
• Clients remain in control throughout the session.
• Can address a wide range of emotional and physical symptoms.
• Evidence-based and trauma-informed.
List of issues that ART has been successful in addressing
Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART) is extremely versatile and can help clients in many ways. Here are some
issues that have been quickly and effectively treated by ART:
• Post Traumatic Stress (PTS)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Phobias
• Panic Attacks
• Sleep Issues (including nightmares)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Addictions / Substance Abuse
• Performance Anxiety
• Family Issues
• Victimization/Poor Self Image
• Victimization/Sexual Abuse
• Relationship Issues/Infidelity
• Codependency
• Grief
• Job-Related Stress
• Pain Management
How ART Differs from Other Therapies
Other trauma therapies rely on exposure to create desensitization. This means a client will have to relive the memory of their trauma in a controlled environment as they rehash painful details. With ART, clients don't have to recount their trauma in detail to their therapist, making it a safer, more comfortable process. Plus, there's no homework. ART uses targeted techniques that help you process and resolve trauma effectively, focusing on how memories are stored and experienced without reliving the pain.
ART shares some mechanisms with EMDR, particularly the use of bilateral eye movements and the aim of reducing distress associated with traumatic memories. However, ART differs in its structure and focus: sessions are more directive and include scripted interventions that actively guide the client to replace distressing images. ART is also briefer in format and many issues are commonly resolved in only one session—many clients complete treatment in fewer sessions than traditional trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Prolonged Exposure (PE).
Importantly, ART is not hypnosis. Clients remain fully alert, oriented, and aware throughout the process. Nor is ART a “band-aid” fix; while it can produce rapid relief, the method works through recognized neurological processes of memory reconsolidation supported by emerging research in affective neuroscience.
Evidence and Effectiveness
Peer-reviewed studies, including several randomized and controlled trials, have demonstrated that ART can significantly reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and related conditions. A landmark trial in Military Medicine (2013) found that ART produced large and clinically meaningful improvements in combat-related PTS symptoms, including among veterans who had previously undergone other evidence based therapies without full resolution. Replication studies have since reported similar outcomes in both military and civilian populations.
Beyond PTSD, ART has shown promise in addressing depression, anxiety, grief, phobias, and pain-related distress. Case reports also suggest potential benefits for sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms. Research continues to expand, including neurobiological investigations of ART’s mechanisms and its application in primary care.
Why People Choose ART
Many individuals seek ART because it offers an efficient, empowering way to resolve distress without months of therapy or repeated retelling of painful memories. For some, ART provides a bridge after other therapies have plateaued; for others, it serves as an accessible first-line intervention. Because sessions are typically few in number, ART can be a cost-effective option for individuals and healthcare systems alike.
ART represents an innovative approach that blends structured protocol with deep emotional processing. For clients and clinicians alike, its central promise is simple: to help people remember the facts around difficult memories by removing or replacing the associated negative images, and to restore calm, clarity, and resilience in the process
Learn More
To learn more about ART, visit the official website at www.acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com for educational videos, research summaries, and training information.