Finding Relief Through Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a short-term form of psychotherapy that uses guided imagery, voluntary recall of memory, and sets of bilateral eye movements to reduce the distress associated with traumatic or unpleasant memories.[2]

ART was developed in 2008 by Laney Rosenzweig, a licensed marriage and family therapist. It has aspects similar to previously established forms of therapy, like exposure-based treatments, imagery rescripting, and relaxation strategies supported through eye movement.[3] It can be appropriate for people experiencing symptoms of trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, fears, phobias, disturbing memories, or emotional triggers related to substance use.

Typically, clients receive ART at either an outpatient or day-treatment facility with a trained mental health professional such as a therapist, counselor, or other qualified clinician. ART session duration can vary depending on the individual’s need, willingness, ability to engage in treatment, symptoms, and treatment plan.

At Agape Treatment Center, we view ART as part of a larger clinical picture. Clients receiving ART may also be participating in individual counseling, group counseling, family education, support, relapse prevention planning, holistic wellness services, and other evidence-based interventions for treating co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health conditions. Agape Treatment Center’s philosophy is centered around providing compassionate individualized care, dignity and respect for all clients, along with developing treatment plans tailored to the individual rather than a generic, one-size-fits-all model.

ART is intended to facilitate changes in the brain in order to alter the physical and emotional reactions associated with a distressing memory.

A typical ART session involves guiding the client to briefly access a difficult memory or image while simultaneously engaging in smooth eye movements. The client does not have to describe every detail verbally. The therapist helps the client to become aware of what comes up internally, reduce the intensity of body sensations, and replace the disturbing image with a more neutral or positive one through a process known as voluntary image replacement or imagery rescripting.[4]

The Role of Eye Movements

One reason why ART is commonly compared to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is due to the role of eye movements.

Although the eye movement aspect of ART shares similarities with EMDR, there are differences in terms of the overall protocol structure and clinical style of each modality. Throughout the ART session, the client follows the therapist’s hand movements or another visual cue while focusing on specific internal experiences. The goal of eye movements is not to suppress information or deny what happened, but to enable the memory to feel less overwhelming so that it no longer elicits the same levels of distress, panic, shame, or physiological arousal.

The Role of Image Rescripting

Another key element of ART is image rescripting. To do this, the therapist guides the client to replace a distressing mental image with a new image that evokes a sense of safety, calm, or empowerment. This can be especially helpful if the client truly recognizes that an event is over, but continues to react as if the danger is still present. By changing the emotional charge connected to the image, ART may help the nervous system respond differently when old reminders or triggers appear

ART and Addiction Recovery

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is used for addiction, not as a stand-alone treatment for substance use disorder, but to support recovery when factors like trauma, loss, grief, shame, fear, or distress have contributed to initial use or relapse.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), trauma has been linked to continued substance use and the development of substance use disorders.[5] For those people whose addiction is linked to trauma, addressing the trauma while working through changing their behavior may be an important component of their overall care.

This means ART is always coordinated along with other services. In addition to ART sessions, a client might be working on trauma symptoms through individual therapy, learning new coping skills through group therapy, building on family dynamics through our family programs, and working with their clinical team to develop a relapse prevention plan. Those diagnosed with co-occurring conditions will benefit greatly from this type of model due to how these two issues can exacerbate each other.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy Pros and Cons

Like any therapy, ART has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• Brief, structured sessions may cause less overwhelm than open-ended trauma processing
• Less emphasis on describing details about traumatic events
• Focus on reducing emotional and physical distress resulting from painful memories
• Compatible with a broad range of treatment plans for addictions, traumas, anxieties, and depression
• Strengths-based process that helps clients in imagining alternative responses to past triggers

Disadvantages:

• May not be suitable for all clients or for all stages of recovery
• Some people may become emotionally activated during or after a session
• Research basis for ART is emerging but still evolving
• Should not replace necessary medical, detox, prescription psychiatric care, substance use treatment when available
• Results will vary, and no ethical treatment provider will guarantee an outcome

Accelerated Resolution Therapy Side Effects

Side effects of ART typically relate to temporary emotional or physiological reactions rather than medication-type side effects.

Since ART involves recalling previously painful memories, some clients may report experiencing side effects like:

• Discomfort
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Vivid dreams
• Emotional sensitivity immediately after a session

It is important to discuss these types of reactions with your therapist.

At Agape, our trauma-informed approach aims to enable clients to progress at a pace that is clinically appropriate for them. We practice trauma-informed care and, for ART, that means explaining the therapeutic process to the client, monitoring for increasing distress throughout the session, providing grounding techniques as required, and adjusting the session as necessary if the client gets overwhelmed.