Is ART Therapy Evidence-Based?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, has an emerging research base, especially for symptoms of PTSD. Current studies suggest ART may be promising and time-efficient for some clients, but the evidence is still developing. Here is what clients, therapists, and referral sources should know.
When ART May Not Be the Right Fit
ART can be a focused and powerful therapy for some clients, especially when a specific memory, image, trigger, or emotional response remains stuck. But ART is not right for everyone. A thoughtful referral includes attention to timing, safety, stabilization, medical history, dissociation, client readiness, and clinical fit.
When a Client Has Insight But Still Feels Stuck
Some clients are thoughtful, self-aware, and deeply engaged in therapy. They understand their patterns, trauma responses, attachment wounds, and protective strategies. And still, something remains stuck. This is often where focused adjunctive ART or a therapy intensive may be worth considering.
How ART Intensives Can Support Ongoing Weekly Therapy
Clients do not always need to choose between weekly therapy and focused trauma work. ART intensives may help clients address a specific stuck point while continuing the ongoing therapy relationship that already supports them.
ART Therapy vs. EMDR: What Referral Sources Should Know
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, are often discussed together because both use eye movements and may be used in trauma treatment. But they are different therapies, with different structures, protocols, therapist roles, and clinical considerations.
What Therapists Should Know About Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Therapists may hear about Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, from clients, colleagues, trainings, or referral searches. ART can sometimes be used as focused adjunctive trauma work for clients who have insight but remain stuck around a specific memory, image, trigger, grief scene, betrayal, medical trauma, or body-based emotional response.
Can ART Be Used Adjunctively While a Client Stays With Their Primary Therapist?
Clients do not always need to leave their primary therapist in order to do focused ART work. Adjunctive Accelerated Resolution Therapy may help clients work on a specific trauma memory, grief image, betrayal trigger, medical trauma, or emotional response while continuing the ongoing therapy relationship that already supports them.
When Should Therapists Refer a Client for ART?
Therapists do not need to “lose” a client in order to refer them for focused trauma work. Adjunctive Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, may be helpful when a client is doing meaningful ongoing therapy but remains stuck around a specific memory, image, trigger, grief response, betrayal, or body-based trauma reaction.
Can ART Help If You Don’t Want to Talk About Trauma?
Many people avoid trauma therapy because they do not want to tell the whole story again. Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, offers a structured way to work with distressing memories, images, sensations, and emotions without requiring you to retell every detail of what happened.
What Does ART Therapy Feel Like?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, is structured, active, and focused. Many people are curious about ART but nervous about what it will feel like. You remain awake, aware, and in control, and you do not have to retell every detail of what happened.