Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): A Different Approach to Healing Trauma
By Susan Howells, LCPC | Willow and Stone Counseling LLC
Sometimes, experiences from the past continue to affect us long after they have ended. Trauma, distressing memories, anxiety, and painful experiences can influence how we feel, how we see ourselves, and how we relate to others. Even when we know we're safe in the present, our minds and bodies may continue to respond as though we're still facing the past.
If you've tried talking about difficult experiences but still feel stuck, or if the thought of revisiting painful memories feels overwhelming, you may be wondering whether there's another approach to healing.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a therapeutic approach that may help you process distressing experiences and reduce their emotional impact. It uses guided eye movements and imagery techniques to help the brain process difficult memories in a different way.
One aspect of ART that many people appreciate is that you don't necessarily have to share every detail of what happened to you. You can work toward healing while maintaining control over how much you choose to discuss.
At Willow and Stone Counseling LLC, I offer Accelerated Resolution Therapy as one approach to helping individuals work through trauma, anxiety, and other difficult life experiences. If you're exploring trauma therapy in Meridian, Idaho, ART may be an option worth considering.
What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy is a structured, evidence-informed psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing memories, experiences, and emotions. It incorporates guided eye movements, visualization, and other techniques to help reduce the emotional distress associated with difficult experiences.
ART was developed to help people work through distressing memories without necessarily requiring them to describe those memories in detail. Instead, the approach focuses on how the memory affects you in the present and helps you work toward changing your emotional response to it.
For example, you might understand intellectually that a traumatic event is over, but reminders of that experience may still trigger fear, anxiety, shame, sadness, or physical tension. ART may help reduce the distress associated with those memories so they become easier to think about without experiencing the same intensity of emotion.
ART is not about erasing your memories or pretending something never happened. Instead, the goal is to help you remember an experience without feeling as overwhelmed by it.
Although ART is often discussed in the context of trauma therapy, it may also be helpful for people dealing with anxiety, grief, distressing life experiences, and other concerns.
How Does Accelerated Resolution Therapy Work?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy uses bilateral brain stimulation, imagery, and therapeutic techniques to help you process distressing experiences. Bilateral brain stimulation may sound intimidating, but it's simply a way of stimulating both sides of the brain through alternating sensory input. In ART, this is commonly done through guided eye movements or handheld tappers that gently alternate vibrations between your hands. You can use the method that feels most comfortable for you.
During an ART session, I guide you through a structured process tailored to your needs and treatment goals. I'll explain the process, answer your questions, and help you feel comfortable with the techniques before we begin. The specific techniques we use will depend on what you're working through and how you respond to the process.
While every person's experience is different, ART generally involves several key elements.
Bilateral Brain Stimulation
ART uses bilateral brain stimulation, which involves alternating stimulation between the left and right sides of the body. Although the term may sound intimidating, the process is generally simple and comfortable.
During an ART session, bilateral stimulation can be achieved through guided eye movements, in which you follow a visual stimulus from side to side, or through handheld tappers that gently alternate vibrations between your hands. This gives you options, so we can use the method that feels most comfortable for you.
Bilateral stimulation is incorporated into the ART process to help you work with distressing memories and their associated emotional responses. Eye movements are also used in other trauma-focused therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), although ART has its own distinct structure and techniques.
Processing Distressing Memories
Rather than requiring you to describe everything that happened, ART allows you to work with distressing memories while maintaining control over what you share verbally.
This can be especially helpful if talking about an experience in detail feels uncomfortable, overwhelming, or unnecessary for your goals. You can focus on processing the experience without having to provide a detailed account of what happened.
Using Imagery to Support Change
ART incorporates visualization techniques that may help change how you experience distressing memories. The goal isn't to change the facts of what happened, but to reduce the emotional distress associated with the memory.
For example, you might find that a memory that once triggered intense anxiety, sadness, or fear becomes less emotionally overwhelming. Some people also notice changes in how they feel about themselves or how they respond to reminders of the experience.
Everyone responds differently, and results vary. The focus is on helping you work toward a less distressing relationship with the memories you're processing.
Working at Your Own Pace
Although ART is often described as a brief therapy approach, your comfort and readiness matter. I'll explain the process, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect before we begin.
You can communicate concerns, ask for clarification, and discuss what feels manageable throughout the process. We can also talk about whether ART is the right fit for your needs or whether another therapeutic approach might be more appropriate.
My goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where you can work toward healing without feeling pressured to share more than you're comfortable sharing.
What Can Accelerated Resolution Therapy Help With?
ART is commonly used to address trauma and distressing memories, but it may also be helpful for other emotional and psychological concerns.
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic experiences can affect how you feel, think, and respond to the world around you. You may experience intrusive memories, nightmares, anxiety, avoidance, shame, or a heightened sense of alertness.
Trauma can result from many different experiences, including accidents, medical emergencies, abuse, assault, childhood adversity, and exposure to other frightening or overwhelming events.
ART may help reduce the emotional intensity associated with traumatic memories and related distress.
You don't have to have a formal PTSD diagnosis to explore trauma therapy. If something from your past continues to affect your present, it may be worth exploring.
Anxiety and Emotional Distress
Sometimes, anxiety is connected to specific experiences or memories. You might notice that certain situations trigger intense fear, that you struggle to feel safe, or that your mind repeatedly returns to something distressing.
ART may help when emotional distress is connected to particular memories or experiences. Depending on your needs, it may be used alongside other therapeutic approaches to address anxiety, emotional regulation, and coping skills.
Grief and Loss
Grief can affect every part of life. Losing someone you love or experiencing another significant loss may bring sadness, guilt, regret, anger, or distressing memories.
ART may be worth considering when particular memories or aspects of a loss continue to cause significant emotional distress. Grief is not something that needs to be rushed or eliminated, and not everyone experiencing grief needs a trauma-focused approach.
The goal is to help you process difficult experiences while making space for the emotions and meaning associated with your loss.
Relationship Difficulties and Self-Esteem
Past experiences can influence how we see ourselves and how we connect with others. Experiences involving rejection, betrayal, criticism, or unhealthy relationships may contribute to persistent feelings of shame, fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting others, or a belief that we're not good enough.
ART may help address distress associated with particular experiences that continue to affect your self-image or relationships.
Depending on your goals, we can also explore communication, boundaries, emotional awareness, and healthier relationship patterns through other therapeutic approaches.
Do I Have to Talk About My Trauma in Detail During ART?
One of the questions I hear about trauma therapy is whether someone will have to describe everything that happened to them.
With ART, you generally do not have to share every detail of a distressing experience for the therapy to be useful. You may be able to work through aspects of a memory without providing a detailed verbal account of what occurred.
For people who have spent years avoiding painful memories, feel uncomfortable discussing personal experiences, or worry about becoming overwhelmed when talking about trauma, this can make ART feel more approachable.
However, ART is still an active therapeutic process. You will need to engage with the memory or experience in some way, and I will explain the process and help you determine what feels manageable.
You can ask questions, communicate your concerns, and discuss your preferences throughout treatment. You deserve to feel respected and supported as you work toward your goals.
How Many ART Therapy Sessions Will I Need?
One reason people explore Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is that it may offer relief from distressing memories in a relatively short period of time. ART often takes approximately 1–5 sessions to address a particular treatment target. For comparison, EMDR treatment for PTSD may take around 6–12 sessions, while approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and other trauma-focused therapies may involve weekly sessions over several months. These are general estimates, not guarantees, and treatment length varies depending on the approach and individual needs.
However, this doesn't mean everyone will resolve trauma or other concerns within five ART sessions. The number of sessions needed depends on factors such as the nature and complexity of your experiences, the number of treatment targets, and your individual response to therapy. While some people may experience meaningful relief after a few sessions, others may benefit from additional ART sessions or a combination of therapeutic approaches. You may also want ongoing counseling to address other concerns you may have.
Brief therapy doesn't mean rushed therapy, and faster isn't necessarily better for everyone. During our work together, we'll discuss your goals and determine whether ART is a good fit for your needs. My focus is on helping you find an approach that supports meaningful progress at a pace that feels right for you, without promising a particular outcome within a set number of sessions.
Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy Right for Me?
ART may be worth exploring if you:
Have distressing memories that continue to affect your daily life.
Experience trauma-related anxiety or emotional distress.
Have distressing images you keep seeing over and over
Feel stuck when trying to move forward from difficult experiences.
Find it challenging to talk about painful memories in detail.
Have tried other trauma treatments or “talk therapy” that you feel has not helped as much as you had hoped
Want to explore a structured, potentially brief approach to processing specific experiences.
Are interested in addressing the emotional impact of past experiences as part of your broader counseling goals.
ART is not the only approach to healing, and it may not be the best fit for every person or concern. Your history, current circumstances, preferences, and treatment goals all matter when determining which approach to use.
In some cases, a combination of approaches may be most helpful. For example, we may incorporate ART alongside other therapeutic methods to address emotional regulation, relationship patterns, anxiety, or ongoing life stressors.
You don't have to know which type of therapy you need before reaching out. We can talk about what you're experiencing, what you hope to change, and whether ART may be an appropriate option.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy in Meridian, Idaho
At Willow and Stone Counseling LLC, I provide counseling for individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and other life challenges. I offer in-person counseling in Meridian, Idaho, and secure telehealth services for clients located in Idaho.
If you're looking for trauma therapy in Meridian, Boise, Eagle, Kuna, Nampa, or the surrounding Treasure Valley, I'd be happy to discuss your goals and whether Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) may be a good fit for you.
Healing doesn't mean pretending the past never happened. It means working toward a future in which past experiences have less control over how you feel, how you see yourself, and how you relate to others.
You don't have to navigate that process alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Has Accelerated Resolution Therapy been shown to help with PTSD?
Research suggests that Accelerated Resolution Therapy can help reduce symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I've also found ART to be a helpful approach for many of my clients who are working through trauma and distressing experiences.
Every person's experience is different, and results vary. ART may be one option to consider if traumatic memories continue to affect your emotions, relationships, or daily life. During counseling, we can discuss your concerns and determine whether ART may be an appropriate part of your treatment.
How is ART different from EMDR?
ART and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are both therapeutic approaches that use bilateral brain stimulation to address trauma and distressing experiences. However, they have different treatment protocols and techniques. Neither approach is automatically better for everyone. The best fit depends on your needs, preferences, and treatment goals.
Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy hypnosis?
No. ART is a structured psychotherapy approach, not hypnosis. Although it uses guided imagery and focused attention, you remain aware of the process and can communicate with your therapist throughout the session.
Can ART erase traumatic memories?
ART does not erase the facts of what happened. Instead, it aims to reduce the distress associated with difficult memories. ART’s saying is “Keep the knowledge, lose the pain.” Some people find that a memory becomes less emotionally intense or vivid, making it easier to think about the experience without feeling as overwhelmed.
The goal is not to deny your experiences or change your personal history. It is to help you move forward with less distress connected to the past.
How many ART sessions will I need?
ART often takes approximately 1–5 sessions to address a particular treatment target. However, the number of sessions varies based on your circumstances, treatment goals, and response to therapy. You may need additional sessions to address other experiences or broader counseling goals, as well as different therapuetic techniques.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to try ART?
No. Although ART is often used to address trauma and PTSD symptoms, a formal PTSD diagnosis is not necessarily required to discuss whether this approach may be helpful. ART may be considered for other distressing experiences as well. A discussion of your symptoms, history, and goals can help determine whether it may be appropriate for you.
If you're ready to explore a different approach to healing, I invite you to reach out to Willow and Stone Counseling LLC. We can discuss what you're experiencing, what you hope to change, and whether Accelerated Resolution Therapy may be a good fit for your needs.
You can learn more about my counseling services at willowstoneidaho.com.
Susan Howells, LCPC
Willow and Stone Counseling LLC
Rooted in Healing, Grounded in Strength.