What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a groundbreaking type of psychotherapy that can treat PTSD and other mental illnesses. As the name suggests, Accelerated Resolution Therapy works more rapidly than other forms of therapy.
Laney Rosenzweig, LMFT first developed this technique in 2008. In her many years of clinical experience, she realized that although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helped patients process trauma, some changes could accelerate the process. She combined several evidence-based techniques to create ART. By 2015, the technique earned its place in the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices.
During ART sessions, clients recall traumatic events and 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.
Rosenzweig proclaimsthat the most difficult thing about spreading the use of ART is, “it sounds too good to be true.” However,research continues to showthat 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. OBH can connect patients with Accelerated Resolution Therapy in Florida.
How Does Accelerated Resolution Therapy Work?
A typical course of ART includes one to five treatments across just two weeks. Each session last 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
- Addiction
- 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 recovery with ART should make an appointment. 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, its not surprising that the two techniques share several similarities. They are both evidence-based therapies that OBH offers. For example, they both use eye movement techniques to help patients quickly. However, ART and EMDR to 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.
Some patients understandably have trouble choosing between EMDR and ART. Therapists and psychiatrists at LifeStance Health clinics can help such people decide which method is right for their unique circ*mstances.
