Accelerated Resolution Therapy©

WHAT IS ART?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy© is a form of psychotherapy with roots in existing evidence-based therapies but shown to achieve benefits much more rapidly (usually within 1-5 sessions). Clients with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, sexual abuse and many other mental and physical conditions can experience remarkable benefits starting in the first session. ART is not hypnosis.

ART Testimonials

“My experience with ART was transformative. I had been haunted by debilitatingly intrusive images and sounds in the days following a traumatic event. I was desperate for relief so when ART was suggested I made an appointment with the bare minimum of research. I had no solid expectations of success or failure either way. To my surprise and relief though, the work seemed to bear results even while I was still in the chair, and the days that followed the session proved to be exactly as Brooke described.  The images and sounds were faded, muted, opaque and all intrusive qualities were gone. I could see the event if I worked to conjure it, but it seemed so far away; there was no need to draw it out. Several weeks later now, I feel as if things have been actually processed and transformed vs. shoved down or boxed up. I’m calmer, easier. I’m not haunted anymore.” – Nina G.

“I have been working with Brooke for about two years. Recently she introduced me to ART and I’m very pleased she suggested it.  I find it fascinating how you can rewrite the script so the flashbacks and ‘movies’ in your head are more enjoyable and controllable. I have struggled for years with flashbacks and triggers, and ART seems to be helping me get to the root of my issues at an accelerated rate more so than talk therapy. I find ART to be life changing, and it is relieving me of my constantly depressed state. ART is giving me the tools to have control over my life and thoughts, and I feel much less burdened by events and memories of my past. I highly recommend ART with Brooke for anyone who needs a push to have helpful breakthroughs.”  -Anna R.

“My experience with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) with Brooke was incredibly powerful. I feel like I made a tremendous amount of progress in just a few visits. I went from not being able to be in alone or in certain spaces without feeling incredibly uncomfortable and quite triggered by noises, to feeling more and more confident and at ease to be physically in those spaces. Even though the memory and triggers of what happened are still there, they don’t consume me, and Brooke gave me some strategies for how to manage those feelings when they arise. I wholeheartedly recommend ART with Brooke!” – Jane F.

“When I first heard of ART therapy, I was a little skeptical. I didn’t fully understand how it worked and the concept seemed almost too good to be true. However, when I sat down for my first session with Brooke, she explained everything in a clear manner so that I could feel comfortable and relaxed. She created a warm environment where I felt I could take the time to fully heal myself. After only two sessions, I immediately noticed a difference in how my body felt and reacted when I thought about what triggered me. Despite my doubts, Brooke exceeded my expectations and truly helped overcome what I had been struggling with.” – Kate T.

How ART Works

ART incorporates a combination of techniques used in many other traditional psychotherapies. ART works directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. ART accomplishes this through the use of rapid eye movements similar to eye movements that occur during dreaming. Although techniques similar to these are used in other types of therapies, ART’s very specific and directive approach can achieve rapid recovery from symptoms and reactions that may have been present for many years. ART combines long respected, sound treatment practices with safe and effective methods validated by current scientific research studies conducted by the University of South Florida.

ART has been used to treat adults and children with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, trauma from sexual abuse, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, physical and mental challenges, addictions, grief and job or relationship issues.
 
The client is always in control of the entire session, with the therapist guiding the process. Although some traumatic experiences such as rape, combat experiences, or loss of a loved one can be very painful to think about or visualize, the therapy rapidly moves clients beyond the place where they are stuck in these experiences toward growth and positive changes. The process is very straightforward, using relaxing eye movements and a technique called Voluntary Memory/Image Replacement to change the way in which the negative images are stored in the brain. The treatment is grounded in well-established psychotherapy techniques, and the end result is that traumas and difficult life experiences will no longer trigger strong emotions or physical reactions. Importantly, clients do not even have talk about their traumas or difficult life experiences with the therapist to achieve recovery.

Core Techniques of Art

ART utilizes the core techniques of evidence-based PTSD treatment recognized by national organizations as well as the DoD and VA. ART incorporates a combination of techniques in a very unique and specific way.

With ART:

  • ART can be utilized with other therapies and medical treatments.
  • The client is always in control of what is happening.
  • ART does not involve hypnotherapy.
  • No medication is given; however, if clients are already taking medications, ART can still be used.
  • Clients can choose whether or not to share their most distressing memories.
  • There are no homework assignments.
  • The client does not have to purposefully recall the traumatic scene(s) between sessions.

What Makes Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART) Unique? 

 

Specific Interventions

Both ART and EMDR use eye movements to facilitate visualization techniques focused on helping to reduce distress from traumatic memories. ART focuses more directly on how negative images are connected with emotional and physical reactions. The specific and unique way in which the techniques are delivered in ART tend to result in a more rapid and complete recovery. Clients find relief from distress by the end of a treatment session rather than having to wait for several sessions.

Specific Protocols for Different Problems

ART is a manualized therapy with specific techniques and protocols to use with different problems; whether the problem is trauma from sexual abuse, depression, anxiety or smoking cessation.

Procedural Approach

ART is a therapy with specific procedural steps that most clinicians find easy to follow. Therapists can successfully utilize the techniques in their clinical practice after a 3 day Basic Training. Once the fundamental skills are learned, there are many other creative and powerful ways to apply these skills to aid clients in experiencing relief from many different types of problems.

Brief

ART often resolves one presenting problem in a one to three session model. Clients may continue on in therapy to resolve other issues. In addition, clients may wish to use traditional talk sessions to process the changes and insights they have gleaned from ART’s eye movement sessions.

Directive

Clinicians guide clients in a way that prevents them from getting confused or “stuck” and allows clients to find their own solution to their problems.

Interactive

Clients often comment that they feel comfortable because ART is so interactive. They report feeling the therapist is right there with them each step of the way. Conversation is a natural part of the therapy and ART techniques can be useful with traditional talk therapy.

Voluntary Memory Replacement/Voluntary Image Replacement (VMR/VIR)

ART’s powerful technique of the Voluntary Memory/Voluntary Image Replacement is a form of re-scripting similar to techniques used in some other treatments that are involved with other forms of cognitive therapy. When combined with desensitization through visualization (imaginal exposure), this intervention has a powerful effect on changing the clients’ relationship to their traumatic narrative.

Although clients know that the new image is not the actual image from their memory, changing the images affects the current level of emotional and physical functioning. The narrative will remain but the narrative will not trigger the problem symptoms.

For more information about ART, please watch Laney Rosenzweig’s TED talk.