Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a type of trauma therapy that combines the use of eye movements (that lead to a state of relaxation and stress inoculation), use of breath to reduce body symptoms, exposure through visualization, and guided imagery to re-script negative images. These are all combined in one session to assist the client to process their scene.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
ART works directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain. Traumatic memories, if they are not processed, get stuck in our reptilian or survival brain. This is the area of the brain that is responsible for our fight/flight/freeze/fawn response. This is why when something triggers a trauma memory we experience this type of survival response.
Evidence has shown that use of eye movements is calming and therapeutic as it produces theta brain waves. Theta brain waves have been connected to creativity, intuition, and daydreaming. Additionally, these brain waves are often present during meditative states.
While it is not yet known how eye movements are so powerful, it is thought that eye movements replicate the response experienced during the REM phase of sleep. So, this is yet another reason why when we use ART, our clients typically report feeling calm as opposed to dysregulated. Current studies indicate that clients experience relief and symptom reduction within 1-5 sessions.
How Accelerated Resolution Therapy works
ART as a process guides the client to change how they feel and respond when triggered around their trauma. ART also allows us to replace negative images in the mind that cause our symptoms, with positive images of the clients choosing. Once the negative images have been
replaced by positive ones, the triggers will be minimized or eliminated altogether. Also, intrusive thoughts about the scene will be less intense, not last as long, and can even stop.
One of the main benefits of using ART is that is reduces re-traumatization for the client as there is no need to share their story with the ART clinician. This is because ART is procedural and uses the client’s images and memories combined with the eye movements to process their
scene.
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