At Layers Counseling Specialists, we offer Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to help individuals heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. ART is an innovative, evidence-based therapy that provides fast relief from distressing memories, helping clients resolve painful experiences without having to re-experience the trauma.

What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a structured, brief therapy that combines elements of cognitive therapy with eye movements similar to those used in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). ART helps clients process and reframe traumatic or distressing memories quickly and effectively, often within a few sessions.

ART works by using voluntary image replacement: while recalling a distressing memory, the client follows the therapist’s hand movements with their eyes, which helps to rewire the way the brain stores that memory. By the end of the session, the client can replace negative images with positive ones, significantly reducing the emotional impact of the original memory.

Who Can Benefit from ART?

ART is highly effective for individuals dealing with a variety of mental health conditions, including:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): ART helps trauma survivors reprocess disturbing memories without reliving the emotional pain.

• Anxiety and Panic Disorders: Clients can reframe anxiety-inducing thoughts or images, leading to long-term relief from symptoms.

• Depression: ART allows clients to reduce the emotional weight of distressing memories that contribute to depressive symptoms.

• Phobias and Fears: ART is useful for addressing specific fears or phobias, helping individuals confront and process fear-inducing memories or thoughts.

• Grief and Loss: ART can help those who are grieving by reducing the pain associated with memories of loss.

How Does ART Work?

ART uses a unique blend of traditional therapeutic techniques combined with eye movement therapy. Here’s what to expect:

• Voluntary Image Replacement: During the session, clients are asked to think of a distressing memory or experience while engaging in bilateral eye movements guided by the therapist. This process allows the brain to reprocess the memory and change its emotional response.

• Fast and Effective: Most clients experience significant relief within 1-5 sessions. ART is designed to bring about rapid results without the need for clients to retell or relive their trauma in detail.

• Permanent Resolution: Once a memory has been reprocessed using ART, the emotional distress associated with it is significantly reduced or eliminated, and the results are typically long-lasting.

Why Choose ART?

• Quick Results: ART is one of the fastest therapies available for processing trauma and other distressing emotions, often providing relief in just a few sessions.

• No Retraumatization: Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART does not require clients to relive their trauma or provide detailed accounts of painful memories, making it a less emotionally taxing experience.

How We Incorporate ART into Treatment

We integrate ART with other therapeutic modalities to create a holistic treatment plan for each client. Our therapists are trained to combine ART with other evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), ensuring clients receive comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.

Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?

If you or a loved one is struggling with trauma, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) can help you find relief quickly and effectively. Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and learn more about how ART can help you take control of your healing process.