Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Accelerated resolution therapy, also known as “ART” is an evidence based eye movement therapy used in the treatment of trauma and other issues.  ART utilizes back and forth eye movements during therapy to aid with processing and are found to have a calming effect for the client. The eye movements are combined with a technique referred to as Voluntary Image Replacement that works to reprogram distressing images and their accompanying symptoms. It is important to note that clients do not lose their memory of the distressing event(s), rather they will retain the facts but lose the symptoms.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF ART

  • Directive: An ART therapist uses a specific protocol to direct the process.
  • Collaborative: ART is very interactive in that clients have a strong role in creating new healing images.
  • No details necessary: ART can be completed without the client verbalizing details of a traumatic event (if desired). 
  • Brief: ART often resolves a client’s issue within one to five sessions. Complex trauma that involves multiple incidents may require additional sessions.

How does it work?
To date, we don’t know exactly how the eye movements work but research suggests they are effective! Clinical research on how the brain processes trauma suggests that every time we recall a memory, we recall it somewhat differently than we did the last time. It is then stored in is newly altered form. Researchers believe that this tendency for our memories to change may be an evolutionary advantage. Instead of a past threat constantly activating our flight or flight response, we can modify the way we recall events to optimize the way we respond to similar future threats. (See for reference links provided below on memory reconsolidation research).
 
We also know there appears to be a discrete period of time (the reconsolidation window) during which a memory can be altered. ART uses this therapeutic window to assist the client in releasing distressing symptoms and images of the past, then encourages and collaborates to create new personalized and powerful imagery that forms and strengthens the reconsolidation process.

More information
Here are two videos that explain the effects and the outcomes of ART.

The science of memory reconsolidation:
A video by the creator of ART, Laney Rosenzweig

Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery: Accelerated Resolution Therapy