Art Therapy in Short Hills, NJ: Discover the Healing Power of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Many individuals in Short Hills, NJ searching for art therapy are seeking a safe, creative way to explore emotions, heal trauma, and build resilience. While traditional art therapy can be deeply effective, there’s a modern, scientifically supported alternative that delivers rapid results—even without any artistic ability. It’s called Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey, I specialize in virtual Accelerated Resolution Therapy, helping clients across the state—including Short Hills—heal from emotional distress, trauma, and anxiety from the comfort of their homes.
In this blog post, we’ll explore:
What ART is and how it differs from traditional art therapy
What ART can treat
Peer-reviewed research supporting ART
How virtual ART therapy works
What to expect in a session
How to get started today
What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a trauma-informed psychotherapy that combines eye movements with guided visualization to help individuals process and resolve distressing images and emotions stored in the brain. Unlike traditional therapy, ART doesn’t require you to talk in detail about painful experiences.
Developed in 2008, ART is designed to quickly reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer hold emotional charge—helping you feel lighter, freer, and more in control.
ART integrates elements of:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mind-body techniques
Most importantly, ART works quickly—many clients experience relief in 1–5 sessions.
ART vs. Traditional Art Therapy
When people in Short Hills search for art therapy, they often envision using drawing, painting, or sculpture to explore emotional issues. Traditional art therapy is creative and expressive, but it can take many sessions to see substantial progress.
Here’s how ART differs from traditional art therapy:
ART doesn’t involve art supplies—it uses internal visualizations. You don’t need to be artistic to benefit from ART. Instead, the focus is on replacing distressing mental images with calming, empowering ones.
What Can ART Treat?
ART has been shown to be highly effective for a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns, including:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex trauma and childhood trauma
Grief and loss
Anxiety, panic, and worry
Depression and mood disturbances
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
Phobias (e.g., driving, needles, flying)
Relationship issues and attachment wounds
Self-esteem and body image issues
Obsessive thoughts or compulsions
Medical trauma or chronic pain
ART works by shifting how distressing images are stored in the brain. Instead of being reactivated again and again, they become neutral and lose their emotional charge.
Research Supporting ART
Accelerated Resolution Therapy is backed by clinical research, with studies showing positive results for trauma, depression, anxiety, and more.
Key studies include:
Kip et al. (2013): In a randomized clinical trial with U.S. military veterans, ART significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after just a few sessions.
🔗 Read the studyWaits et al. (2017): ART was found to be a brief, safe, and effective treatment for trauma-related conditions.
🔗 Read the reviewKip et al. (2016): ART provided not only emotional relief but also improvement in physical symptoms associated with PTSD.
🔗 Read more
These studies support what I see in my own practice: clients find ART to be empowering, transformative, and fast-acting.
Virtual ART Therapy for Short Hills Residents
If you live in Short Hills, NJ, you can receive the full benefits of ART through virtual sessions. As a New Jersey-licensed therapist, I provide secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy to clients across the state.
Why virtual ART works well:
It’s as effective as in-person ART
You don’t have to commute or find parking
It offers greater flexibility and privacy
You can attend sessions from the comfort of home
You’ll need:
A quiet, private space
A computer, tablet, or phone with video capability
A stable internet connection
What to Expect in a Virtual ART Session
Each ART session follows a structured process:
Step 1: Identify the Target
We’ll identify a distressing image, feeling, or situation you want to resolve. You don’t need to share every detail aloud.
Step 2: Eye Movements
You’ll follow my hand or a moving target with your eyes while focusing on the troubling memory. This mimics the brain’s natural REM sleep process, allowing for memory reprocessing.
Step 3: Voluntary Image Replacement
You’ll be guided to replace the negative image with one that is peaceful, neutral, or empowering—helping reduce emotional distress.
Step 4: Integration
We’ll ensure the emotional intensity is gone or greatly reduced. Clients often report feeling lighter, calmer, and clearer.
ART is designed to minimize retraumatization. You remain in control throughout the process.
About Me: Laura Geftman, LCSW
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York. My therapeutic style is integrative, trauma-informed, and highly personalized. I specialize in helping clients overcome complex trauma, anxiety, and emotional blocks through Accelerated Resolution Therapy.
I bring over a decade of experience in supporting clients through transformative healing journeys. My goal is to help you move forward—fast—so you can reclaim your peace, purpose, and power.
Client Testimonials
"ART helped me work through a traumatic experience I couldn’t even talk about before. I felt safe and supported the entire time." — Virtual Client, NJ
"Laura’s calm and clear guidance made me feel completely at ease. ART changed my life in just a few sessions." — Client in Essex County
Why Choose ART Therapy in Short Hills?
Residents of Short Hills are often busy professionals, parents, and caregivers balancing multiple demands. ART therapy offers:
Fast relief without long-term weekly therapy
Privacy and confidentiality from home
Evidence-based treatment with proven results
A safe way to resolve trauma without having to relive it
Whether you’re managing anxiety, recovering from loss, or struggling with memories that won’t let go—ART can help.
How to Get Started with ART in Short Hills
I offer flexible scheduling for virtual sessions across New Jersey, including evenings and weekends. You don’t need to live with emotional pain any longer.
Ready to begin?
👉 Click here to get started today
Healing is possible. With the right support, you can resolve your past and build a more peaceful, empowered future—starting now.