What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?
- May 18, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 25
You're likely looking for a rapid and effective solution for anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and it's understandable to feel overwhelmed by all the therapy options available. We have the exact information you need about a cutting-edge treatment that is changing lives.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
ART is a groundbreaking psychotherapy that helps people quickly resolve trauma, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. By combining elements from various therapies like EMDR and CBT, it allows a trained professional to help you process and recategorize distressing memories in just one to five sessions.
If you're interested in learning more about how ART works, what it can treat, and how it compares to other therapies like EMDR, keep reading. We'll delve deeper into the specifics of this powerful, fast-acting treatment and how it can help you find lasting relief.
Evidence Based Psychotherapy
Do you suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder? If so, you may be interested in learning about Accelerated Resolution Therapy. This relatively new form of therapy has been shown to be very effective in treating a variety of mental health issues. In this blog post, we will discuss what Accelerated Resolution Therapy is and how it can help you overcome your symptoms.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?
Initially, when someone hears that Chateau Recovery offers ART therapy it is met with "Oh, good. I like to draw." Although they share similar names, rest assured there is more to the ART therapy which we offer.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a groundbreaking type of psychotherapy that can treat PTSD, depression, anxiety and trauma endured during an individual's lifetime. As the name suggests, Accelerated Resolution Therapy works more rapidly than other forms of therapy.
During ART sessions, clients recall traumatic events and trained counselors help them quickly recategorize these memories. After one to five sessions, clients no longer feel intense distress when they recall these memories. Furthermore, the memories no longer cause disruptive symptoms like panic attacks and depression.
Practitioners of ART proclaim that the most difficult thing about spreading the use of ART is, “it sounds too good to be true.” However, research continues to show that this groundbreaking technique is effective and powerful for patients with several types of disorders.
Only a trained mental health professional can effectively use ART with patients. It’s important for such clinicians to specifically receive training in ART.
How Does Accelerated Resolution Therapy Work?
A typical course of ART includes one to five treatments across just two weeks. Each session lasts between 60 and 75 minutes. Patients often feel considerably better after only one appointment but should finish the prescribed course of treatment.
The secret to ARTs success is that it combines the most useful piece of several psychotherapies, including EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, Gestalt, and psychodynamic therapy.
Although patients can use ART as the sole treatment for their mental health, they may also combine it with other treatments. Some patients continue to take medication throughout their ART, and others attend group therapy. Patients should never stop a prescribed therapy to pursue ART, especially medicines, without the supervision of the appropriate professional.
What can Accelerated Resolution Therapy Treat?
Although researchers first developed Accelerated Resolution Therapy for patients with PTSD, the technique has proven effective for several other disorders as well. Clinicians currently use ART to treat:
PTSD
Depression
Anxiety
Phobias
Alcoholism
Grief
Sleep issues
Patients may exhibit other symptoms that do not fit neatly into any of the categories above. As a general rule, ART is effective for people whose symptoms stem from traumatic events. The trauma can be long-lasting, such as war or an abusive relationship. The treatment can also treat symptoms from acute traumas, including assault and accidents.
Patients who experience cognitive, emotional, or physical distress from any of the following traumas may benefit from ART:
Abuse, including sexual, physical, and emotional
Being the victim of a crime
Witnessing or participating in a war
Being the victim of a natural disaster
Seeing a loved one die suddenly
Surviving an accident or fire
Living through medical traumas
People who have lived through these experiences may not qualify for a specific diagnosis or may not have sought treatment before. However, they still experience distressing symptoms. ART may help.
Anyone who believes they can experience healing with ART should make an effort to find a residential center like Chateau Recovery which offers ART. A counselor can assess the client’s symptoms, potential causes, and the possibility for ART to help.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy vs EMDR
Since the EMDR served as an inspiration for ART, it's not surprising that the two techniques share several similarities.
They are both evidence-based therapies that Chateau Recovery offers. For example, they both use eye movement techniques to help patients quickly. However, ART and EMDR do have a few important differences, including:
ART uses a specific number of eye movements, but EMDR numbers vary
EMDR focuses on content whereas ART concentrations on emotions and images
ART clinicians operate under specific directives, while EMDR practitioners have more general guidelines
EMDR is more adaptable than ART
Sometimes, one of these approaches works better for a patient than the other. Clients who do not respond well to one can try the other and may find great success. Here at Chateau, we have counselors trained in both therapies discussed in this blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
• What mental health conditions can Accelerated Resolution Therapy treat?
ART was originally developed for PTSD but has been shown to be effective for a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and sleep issues. It can also help with symptoms from long-term or acute traumas.
• How many sessions of ART are typically needed?
A typical course of ART includes one to five sessions, each lasting between 60 and 75 minutes. Many patients feel significantly better after just one appointment.
• What is the main difference between ART and EMDR?
While both therapies use eye movements to help patients, ART uses a specific number of eye movements and focuses on emotions and images. EMDR's number of eye movements can vary, and it focuses more on the content of the memory itself.
• Can I combine ART with other treatments?
Yes, ART can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies like group therapy or medication. It's important to consult with a professional before making any changes to your prescribed treatment plan.
• Do I need a specific diagnosis to benefit from ART?
No, you do not need a specific diagnosis to benefit from ART. If you experience cognitive, emotional, or physical distress stemming from a traumatic event, ART may be able to help.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, we want you to know you're not alone. We understand how difficult it can be to take the first step toward healing, and our team at Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center is here to walk with you. We are deeply committed to providing effective, evidence-based care, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), to help you reclaim your life. When you call us at (435) 222-5225, we can discuss your specific needs and create a personalized plan for your recovery journey. Together, we can find the right path forward.
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About The Author
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
