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 a Therapy Intensive Complement Weekly Therapy?
You do not necessarily have to choose between your current therapist and a therapy intensive. When there is a specific memory, trigger, betrayal, loss, or unresolved experience that needs focused attention, adjunctive ART can complement the meaningful work you are already doing in weekly therapy.
When Weekly Therapy Has Plateaued: When to Consider Adjunctive Trauma Therapy
Sometimes a client is engaged in therapy, has developed meaningful insight, and values their relationship with their therapist—but a particular memory, trigger, or trauma response remains unchanged. Adjunctive trauma therapy can provide focused processing without requiring the client to leave their primary therapist or begin an entirely new course of ongoing treatment.
When You Understand the Pattern but Still Feel Stuck
Sometimes a client has developed meaningful insight, built a strong relationship with their therapist, and made real progress—yet one memory, trigger, or emotional response remains unchanged. Adjunctive trauma therapy allows the client to receive focused trauma processing without ending their existing therapeutic relationship.