ART Therapy: A vehicle for change

Witnessing clients go through powerful transformations using a modality called ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) has been one of my greatest joys as a psychologist.  I first took my training back in 2022 and have been using this modality since then to help clients treat and heal from trauma and stuckness in their lives.  I often have people ask about EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and ART in our initial consults. Clients have very often heard about these two modalities, but are not quite sure how they work or what they are about, so let's drive in!

What is ART therapy? How does Accelerated Resolution Therapy work?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy was developed as a sort of adapted version of EMDR. ART focuses on changing old stuck images related to past events, or more current issues, and replaces them with new ones - imagine how powerful that could be!  ART is an amazing way to try something different when talk therapy has sort of run its course or a client is looking to tune in more deeply with their body sensations related to past trauma.

Through ART, a targeted memory is activated and then something called memory reconsolidation (or rewiring in the brain) occurs where we are able to upgrade the memory and its images to be more positive - in return, this changes how we feel about what happened to us.

ART is a scripted process in which I am assisting the consenting client as their guide using eye movements or another bilateral stimulation such as the hand buzzers. Typically, the actual ART processing will not happen in the first initial session.  We will want to spend some time together to gather the client’s history, build our relationship so that the client feels safe when we are together and for the client to have developed some positive ways to take care of themselves when feeling triggered, activated or overwhelmed.

For example, we may have worked on creating a calm place (a mindfulness tool) or the client is well aware of and has used other resources to help them calm their nervous system as needed.  After having established safety in our therapeutic relationship and positive resourcing, we will outline together some targets that would be helpful to work on using ART.  Targets might include past childhood trauma, a recent breakup from their partner, a horrible boss, a car accident or injury that is contributing to anxiety, or any variety of events or beliefs that the client feels gets in the way of them living a more hopeful and open life.

What does an ART therapy session look like?

Typically, we will plan for a 90-minute session as the process does take time. I like to let clients know in the ART session that they are in complete control of the session and their brain will be making the changes for them.  We use a lot of metaphors and different ART techniques that allow the client to access healing options from a dream-like place. ART is creative and fun and despite the heavy work involved in leaning into difficult memories, sensations and emotions, clients often leave with some surprisingly humorous and new images that are helpful and represent deep meaningful changes for them.

What does an ART session feel like?

At first an ART session can feel quite different if the client has not done this type of therapy before. Generally, clients quickly get the hang of following my hand for the eye movements (or utilizing the buzzers) and adapt to scanning their body for sensations as we process them. Clients very often let me know that they were surprised by how the session felt and leave with an enormous sense of relief and hope that their issue or problem is starting to heal and change.

We have several skilled and compassionate therapists with Safe Haven Counselling that are trained in ART. These therapists include Eric Fisher (advanced and enhanced training), Michaela Rebus, Reyna Dawes, Sam Kerr, Stephanie Evans, Carl Conradi and myself, Sarah Elton.

If you are interested in learning more about ART and how it could help transform your life please reach out for a brief free consultation or send an email with any questions or wondering that you may have.

Written by: Sarah Elton

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