Art Therapy in New York: Discover Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for Virtual Trauma Healing
Many New Yorkers search for "art therapy" when looking for a creative and effective way to manage stress, trauma, and emotional challenges. While traditional art therapy uses visual art to express and explore emotions, there's a powerful, evidence-based alternative that offers fast, profound healing—Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
I’m Laura Geftman, LCSW, a New York-licensed psychotherapist who specializes in virtual Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). My clients throughout the state—including New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, and Long Island—have found relief from trauma, anxiety, and other issues through this efficient and transformative method.
This post will guide you through:
The difference between ART and traditional art therapy
What ART is and how it works
Peer-reviewed research supporting ART
What to expect from virtual ART therapy
How New Yorkers can get started with ART today
What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a brief, effective form of psychotherapy that uses rapid eye movements, memory visualization, and guided image replacement to help people resolve emotional distress.
ART draws upon evidence-based methods, including:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Imagery rescripting and memory reconsolidation techniques
Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART helps people resolve traumatic experiences without needing to verbally recount them in detail. Instead, it uses brain-based techniques to help rewire how distressing memories are stored, often in as few as 1–5 sessions.
ART vs. Traditional Art Therapy
When you search for “art therapy New York,” you might expect creative expression through painting, drawing, or sculpture as part of the therapeutic process. That’s true for traditional art therapy, which helps clients express emotions through art.
But Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) does not involve creating visual art. Instead, it guides clients through internal visualization and eye movement exercises to resolve emotional pain. While it shares the goal of emotional healing, ART is significantly faster and more targeted.
If you're looking for effective, research-supported trauma therapy in New York without needing to create or discuss art, ART may be the ideal solution.
What Conditions Does ART Treat?
ART has been shown to help with a wide range of emotional and psychological conditions, including:
PTSD and complex trauma
Anxiety and panic disorders
Depression
Grief and complicated loss
Phobias and fears
OCD symptoms
Substance use-related trauma
Chronic illness-related distress
Relationship trauma
Sleep disturbances and nightmares
Stress from racial, gender-based, or cultural trauma
ART is especially effective for trauma survivors who want healing without re-experiencing their pain in detail.
Scientific Research on ART
Several peer-reviewed studies support the effectiveness of Accelerated Resolution Therapy for trauma and anxiety-related conditions.
Key Studies:
Kip et al. (2013): This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that ART significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety in military veterans. 🔗 Read the study
Waits et al. (2017): A systematic review of ART studies concluded that the therapy is safe, efficient, and produces rapid symptom reduction for trauma-related disorders. 🔗 Full article
Kip et al. (2016): Researchers found that ART significantly reduced psychological and physiological symptoms of PTSD with lasting effects. 🔗 View the study
These findings mirror what I observe with my New York clients. Many experience relief from trauma symptoms, improved emotional regulation, and increased peace of mind after just a few ART sessions.
Virtual ART Therapy for New Yorkers
I offer virtual Accelerated Resolution Therapy for clients across New York State. Whether you live in Manhattan or upstate, you can access high-quality trauma therapy from the privacy and convenience of your home.
Benefits of Virtual ART:
No commute or wait time
Flexible scheduling for busy New Yorkers
Secure, HIPAA-compliant teletherapy platform
Same clinical effectiveness as in-person sessions
Access from anywhere in the state—urban or rural
Virtual therapy empowers you to prioritize your mental health without sacrificing time, privacy, or accessibility.
What Happens in a Virtual ART Session?
1. Setting the Focus
You choose a distressing memory or issue to address. You don’t have to go into detail—I simply need to know enough to guide the process.
2. Eye Movement Exercises
You’ll follow a moving object on your screen (often my hand) to simulate the brain’s natural processing during REM sleep.
3. Voluntary Image Replacement
You’ll be guided to replace distressing images and sensations with positive or neutral ones—retraining how the memory is stored in your brain.
4. Integration
We check to see if the memory or emotion still carries a charge. Many clients are amazed by how much lighter they feel.
Sessions usually last 60–75 minutes. Most clients benefit from just a few sessions, though the pace is always client-driven.
Why New Yorkers Are Choosing ART
New York is fast-paced and high-pressure. Many of my clients are:
Professionals in finance, media, or tech experiencing burnout
College students overwhelmed by academic stress
Parents balancing caregiving with trauma histories
Survivors of interpersonal, racial, or sexual trauma
Individuals who’ve tried talk therapy without lasting results
Accelerated Resolution Therapy offers rapid relief that fits busy New York lifestyles, without long-term therapy commitments.
About Me: Laura Geftman, LCSW
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced training in trauma treatment, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy. I’ve supported hundreds of clients from all walks of life and am committed to helping you heal on your terms.
I’m licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida—and I provide virtual ART sessions throughout these states.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in neuroscience. I believe healing should be efficient, empowering, and tailored to your needs.
Client Testimonials
"After years of traditional therapy, ART helped me resolve my trauma in just a few sessions. Laura made the process safe, calming, and surprisingly easy." — Client from Brooklyn
"I was skeptical of online therapy, but ART worked. The nightmares are gone. I feel free for the first time in years." — Virtual ART Client in Upstate NY
Ready to Try ART Instead of Traditional Art Therapy?
If you're searching for "art therapy New York" but want a more direct and evidence-based path to healing, Accelerated Resolution Therapy may be the answer.
No art supplies. No long-term therapy. Just powerful transformation—virtually.
👉 Ready to get started?
Click here to book your first virtual ART session
Let’s work together to rewrite your story—one peaceful image at a time.