Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) offers a highly effective approach for resolving the effects of trauma and distress. It is a somatic-based therapy that takes a holistic and integrative stance towards improving mental health without the need for exhaustive recounting of traumatic experiences. ART employs a solution-focused methodology, often yielding immediate results, making it beneficial for individuals with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and phobias.
The core of ART lies in dissociating physiological sensations from the narrative or memory associated with distressing experiences.
By replacing disturbing images with more constructive ones, ART helps reframe and mitigate the impact of these memories. If we decide this therapy is appropriate for you, we collaboratively identify a specific problem or scene to address. Through guided eye movements, where you follow my hand as it moves back and forth, we locate and alleviate uncomfortable physical sensations connected to distressing memories or triggers.
Communication remains open throughout the session to monitor shifts in your physical sensations. As the session progresses, many patients report a noticeable increase in feelings of calmness. The eye movements utilized in ART facilitate the reprogramming of distressing images and memories in the brain, reducing the intensity of emotional and physical reactions while replacing negative imagery.
It is important to note that while you retain knowledge of your experiences, ART empowers you to live without the pain associated with them by actively reshaping and transforming the images surrounding those memories.
In essence, ART enables you to “keep the knowledge and lose the pain,” fostering a more positive and manageable perspective on past experiences.
Watch this TED talk to learn more
