Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a brief, evidence-based psychotherapy that uses rapid, side-to-side eye movements to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. ART is an evidence-based treatment. There are several studies showing that it is highly effective and works fast for trauma and grief. Studies for depression and anxiety are pending.
| Feature | Traditional Talk Therapy | EMDR | Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session length | 45–60 min, many weeks | 45–60 min, 8–12 sessions | 45–60 min, often just a few sessions for measurable relief |
| Storytelling requirement | Detailed narrative of the problem | Detailed narrative + bilateral stimulation | Only the context is needed — you do not have to recount every graphic detail |
| Exposure time | Gradual, may span several sessions | Repeated sets of eye-movements over many minutes | My observation for my clients is that one ~5-minute “re-experience” is sufficient for most clients. |
| Mechanism | Cognitive restructuring, insight | Bilateral stimulation + memory reconsolidation | Rapid eye-movement protocol + voluntary image replacement (positive image swaps for the distressing one) |
| Typical outcomes | Symptom reduction over months | Symptom reduction over weeks–months | I have noticed that most of my clients experience relief after the first session. |
Most clients notice a significant reduction in distress after the first session; many complete treatment in just a few sessions.
No. ART only requires the context of the event. You keep the narrative brief, and the eye-movement protocol does the heavy lifting.
Yes. Exposure is brief (~5 minutes) and done under calm, controlled conditions.
Many feel relief in just a few sessions.
Yes — it often pairs well with medication, CBT, and family work.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
All clinical content on this website is written or reviewed by Vickie Starkey, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee since 2005 (License #579). Vickie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Carson-Newman College (1989) and a Master of Divinity in Psychology and Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1995), and is a Certified Master ART Practitioner since 2023. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Verify my license here: https://internet.health.tn.gov/Licensure/
