Accelerated Resolution Therapy

When someone goes through a traumatic event, the brain’s normal processing systems can become disrupted. As a result, the memory may not be stored in a typical way, which can lead to distressing symptoms and emotional pain that persist long after the traumatic event has passed.

Specific therapies, like accelerated resolution therapy (ART), are designed to help the brain reprocess these painful memories in a safe and structured way. This is helpful because it gives someone control over how and when they remember their traumatic memories.

In this guide, we will take a look at what accelerated resolution therapy is, how it works, and what it treats.

What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?

Accelerated resolution therapy is a unique form of psychotherapy that helps someone replace distressing images in the mind with positive ones. This therapy style is particularly effective at relieving symptoms of residual trauma, such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and emotional triggers.

Accelerated resolution therapy is a form of guided therapy, meaning the therapist leads the client through a guided process. What makes this therapy unique is that clients are in control of this process, and the therapist acts as a helpful guide. This approach allows clients to feel safe and empowered while they work through their trauma in a comfortable way.

Read our related article to learn about the different types of trauma. 

History of Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Accelerated resolution therapy was created in 2008 by licensed therapist Laney Rosenzweig. After years of working with clients using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Rosenzweig discovered a distinct process using eye movements that proved to be highly effective with shorter treatment times.

This revolutionary process allows clients to heal from their trauma quickly, with many clients reporting positive results after just a few sessions. To this day, Laney Rosenzweig continues to develop and refine accelerated resolution therapy techniques to help therapists treat a wider range of conditions.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy vs. EMDR

Accelerated resolution therapy and EMDR share several similarities. For example, both therapy modalities:

• Use bilateral eye movements to stimulate brain processing
• Focus on treating trauma-related symptoms
• Help the brain reprocess and reconsolidate distressing memories
• Use the brain’s natural ability to heal from trauma

With that being said, these two therapies are very different in how they’re structured. During ART, the client doesn’t have to discuss their trauma as they replace distressing images with positive ones. Generally, this process is less emotionally intense, and clients often experience positive results in fewer sessions. 

During EMDR, the client has to discuss their trauma and revisit their traumatic memories. The focus of this treatment is on desensitizing someone to their distressing thoughts, rather than replacing them. Unlike ART, this process is emotionally intense and often requires more sessions for clients to see significant results. 

Read our related guide for more information on EMDR, how it works, and what it treats.

How Therapists Decide Between Accelerated Resolution Therapy and EMDR

While both therapy styles are effective at alleviating symptoms of residual trauma, it’s common for therapists to recommend one over the other. This is due to the unique ways that each therapy approach addresses the client’s needs.

Accelerated resolution therapy doesn’t require clients to discuss their trauma, so it can be more helpful for those who are emotionally fragile or reluctant to talk about their trauma. If a client is willing and able to explore the details of their traumatic memories, then EMDR can be a more effective approach.

Accelerated resolution therapy requires fewer sessions, especially if someone needs to work through a single traumatic experience. If someone needs immediate symptom relief from a traumatic memory, then accelerated resolution therapy may be preferred. If someone can spend several sessions working through prolonged trauma, then EMDR is generally the preferred approach.

How Does Accelerated Resolution Therapy Work?

Accelerated resolution therapy draws techniques and philosophies from other modalities, including EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Usually, it is structured around three main phases:

1. Traumatic memory targeting
2. Bilateral stimulation
3. Positive rescripting

These three phases work together to help the brain safely reprocess distressing memories, reduce their emotional intensity, and give the client a sense of control over them. 

Traumatic Memory Targeting

The first phase of accelerated resolution therapy targets a specific memory that is causing emotional distress. This could be a recurring nightmare, distressing memory, or intrusive thought relating to a traumatic event.

During this process, the client doesn’t have to share any details about their targeted memory. Instead, they hold onto it internally so that the memory doesn’t trigger a strong emotional reaction. 

After the client has targeted a specific memory, their therapist may ask them if they notice any physical sensations that are tied to it. This helps the client become more aware of how the memory is stored in the body and allows for deeper emotional processing during the session.

Bilateral Stimulation

Once a distressing memory has been identified, the therapist will begin guiding them through bilateral eye movements. This involves following the therapist’s hand with their eyes while they move it back and forth.

Bilateral stimulation activates both sides of the brain, which helps the client process distressing memories in a calming way. It’s usually conducted in short sets, and it may be repeated several times during the session. 

Positive Rescripting

During this phase, the client chooses a positive image to replace the negative, distressing thought. This new image is usually something that is peaceful, empowering, and healing. 

After the client chooses the new image, the therapist will guide them through more bilateral stimulation. This helps the client store their memory in a way that is no longer emotionally distressing. If the memory comes back up in the future, it will be associated with the positive image that the client chose and stored. 

By rescripting the traumatic memory with something positive, the client can change how that memory is stored and experienced. This not only provides the client with a sense of peace and control, but it also helps provide closure to their unresolved trauma.

Read our related article to discover more types of trauma therapy.

What Does Accelerated Resolution Therapy Treat?

Accelerated resolution therapy is often used to treat the recurring symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With that being said, it can be used to treat any mental health condition that is associated with trauma or distressing thoughts and emotions.

Some of the mental health conditions that accelerated resolution therapy can be particularly effective at treating include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Addiction
• Grief
• Self-esteem issues

Because many mental health conditions are rooted in unresolved emotional or traumatic experiences, accelerated resolution therapy can be a powerful tool for helping clients break free from the patterns that keep them stuck.

Read our related article to identify more mental health conditions caused by trauma.

Find Healing at Sequoia Behavioral Health

Whether we are aware of it or not, the lingering effects of trauma can have a significant impact on our mental and physical well-being. Everyone deserves to live a life that’s free from the weight of past pain, and we’re here to help.

At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we provide holistic care that not only treats the symptoms of trauma but also works to heal the root of your traumatic experiences. Our trauma-informed programs are designed to help you resolve your trauma and live the life that you were meant to live.

‍Reach out today to connect with a mental health professional and take the first step on your healing journey.