Accelerated Resolution Therapy
ART teaches your brain how to process difficulties in a more productive way. It is a short-term, structured treatment that helps with trauma, anxiety, depression, and that frustrating feeling of "I know what to do, but my body won't cooperate."
It uses bilateral eye movements (side to side motion) to help your brain reprocess trauma or your particular difficulty in a productive way making the triggers lose their power within 1 - 5 sessions. During the session you are completely conscious and aware. It is NOT hypnosis.
It is not your typical “talk therapy” session. You are not required to talk about your trauma or the difficulty you are working through out loud, however you do have to think about it!
The session has essentially 3 phases. During the first part you’ll be guided to visualize the memory or challenge that you are working on in your mind while following the therapist’s hand or card with your eyes in a lateral motion (side to side), and intermittently also working on calming the body’s physical reactions and sensations.
The middle part involves using your imagination to reimagine your challenge in a positive way that feels lighter and/or more empowering. ART refers to that as "voluntary image replacement", similar to creating your own dream while awake.
The last portion of the session is working on building your confidence about the changes you have made. In the end you will be able to think about the challenge factually without the distressing emotions.