Art Therapy in Queens: A Virtual Path to Healing with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
If you’re searching for “art therapy Queens,” you may be looking for a way to heal that goes beyond conventional talk therapy. You might want something creative, dynamic, and effective—something that helps you feel better fast. That’s where Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) comes in.
I’m Laura Geftman, LCSW, a licensed therapist in New York offering virtual ART sessions to clients throughout Queens—from Astoria and Forest Hills to Flushing, Jackson Heights, and beyond. Whether you're dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm, ART is a transformative approach that helps people resolve distress quickly and gently.
In this blog, I’ll explain:
What ART is and how it differs from traditional art therapy
What conditions ART effectively treats
Peer-reviewed research that supports ART
What you can expect from virtual sessions
Why ART is a great fit for Queens residents
How to get started today
What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a brief, evidence-based psychotherapy that uses:
Voluntary image replacement
Eye movement techniques (similar to REM sleep)
Memory reconsolidation
This powerful combination helps clients reprogram distressing memories without needing to relive them in detail. ART is influenced by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and guided visualization, but is often more structured and faster.
Most people feel significant relief in just 1 to 5 sessions.
ART vs. Traditional Art Therapy: What’s the Difference?
When people look for art therapy in Queens, they often imagine sessions involving painting, drawing, or sculpture to explore their emotions. Traditional art therapy is indeed a valuable tool, especially for expression and emotional processing.
However, ART doesn’t involve creating physical artwork. Instead, it relies on mental imagery—your internal visualization—to resolve trauma and emotional pain.
If you’re seeking results-driven therapy that heals, not just expresses, ART may be exactly what you’re looking for.
What Can ART Help With?
ART is highly effective in treating a wide variety of emotional and psychological concerns. Common issues I help clients with include:
PTSD and trauma (childhood, medical, combat, abuse)
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Phobias and fears
Sleep disturbances and nightmares
Complicated grief
Relationship distress
Low self-esteem
Chronic pain and illness-related stress
Vicarious trauma (especially among healthcare and service professionals)
Clients often come to ART after trying other forms of therapy that didn’t bring full relief. With ART, we don’t just talk about the problem—we rewire how it’s stored in your brain.
What the Research Says About ART
Several high-quality studies have shown ART’s effectiveness in treating trauma and emotional disorders.
Key Peer-Reviewed Studies:
Kip et al. (2013): In a randomized controlled trial, U.S. military veterans who received ART showed significant reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. 🔗 Full study
Waits et al. (2017): This review emphasized ART's safety, efficiency, and consistency in improving trauma-related symptoms. 🔗 Systematic review
Kip et al. (2016): Found long-term benefits of ART for PTSD with sustained symptom improvement and better quality of life. 🔗 Read the article
These studies mirror what I see every day in my practice: clients feel better, often faster than they thought possible.
What Happens in a Virtual ART Session?
Living in Queens means life is busy—commutes, jobs, family obligations, and the pressure of city life can be intense. That’s why I offer virtual ART sessions using a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform you can access from anywhere.
Here’s what to expect:
You choose a target memory or feeling. You don’t need to go into detail unless you want to.
We use guided eye movements while you visualize the memory.
I help you replace painful imagery with something more positive, neutral, or empowering.
We test your emotional response. Most clients report a significant drop in distress.
Sessions typically last 60–75 minutes. The goal is emotional resolution—not just symptom management.
Why ART Is a Great Fit for Queens Residents
Queens is one of the most diverse, dynamic, and hard-working areas of New York City. But that energy can come with stress, burnout, and trauma—especially if you’re balancing work, caregiving, community involvement, and more.
ART is ideal for people in Queens who:
Want fast, effective treatment
Need flexible, virtual therapy options
Prefer not to discuss trauma in depth
Have tried other therapies without results
Are ready to move forward emotionally
Whether you’re in Long Island City, Jamaica, Forest Hills, or Sunnyside, ART offers you a powerful, convenient tool for emotional healing.
Meet Your Therapist: Laura Geftman, LCSW
As a licensed clinical social worker with advanced training in trauma and Accelerated Resolution Therapy, I specialize in helping clients recover from emotional wounds and reclaim their peace.
I work with:
Adults of all ages
Healthcare and frontline workers
Therapists and mental health professionals
Artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs
Students and young professionals
My approach is warm, affirming, and efficient. With ART, we focus on results—not endless rehashing.
What Clients Are Saying
"ART helped me feel free from something I carried for years. I didn’t even have to talk about it in detail. Laura made the process feel safe and empowering." — Client from Jackson Heights
"I’ve tried EMDR, talk therapy, and medication. ART worked faster than any of them. I was skeptical at first, but now I recommend it to everyone I know." — Client from Forest Hills
Get Started with Virtual ART in Queens
If you’ve been searching for “art therapy Queens,” but want more than just expressive art techniques—if you want to actually resolve trauma and emotional pain—then Accelerated Resolution Therapy may be the right path for you.
With ART, you don’t have to relive the past. You don’t have to spend years in therapy. You just need a safe space and a therapist who’s trained to help you heal efficiently.
👉 Ready to get started?
Click here to book your virtual ART session today.
Let’s begin the journey toward emotional clarity, freedom, and lasting relief—right from your home in Queens.