Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART): Benefits, Process, and What to Expect

Written by Nichole Accetta PMHNP-BC

Nichole Accetta is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at La Lune Integrative Psychiatry who provides Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to adults in Oregon and Washington. In this article, she answers common questions about ART—an evidence-based therapy shown in research to be effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART®) is a brief, structured psychotherapy approach designed to lessen distress associated with difficult experiences or memories. Using guided eye movements and visualization techniques, ART enables your brain to reprocess troubling images, sensations, and emotions, which may reduce their impact and emotional charge.

How does ART work?

ART uses a process called memory reconsolidation to alter how painful memories are stored in your brain. During guided eye movements, you intentionally replace distressing images with new, calm, or positive ones. While the factual memory remains the same, the associated emotional and physical responses connected to it may decrease.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

One of ART’s most distinctive features is that you do not have to describe your trauma or personal experiences in detail if you choose not to. Many clients are able to process distressing memories privately, with your clinician guiding you through the technique.

What kinds of issues can ART help with?

ART may be helpful for many issues. To date, most research has focused on ART’s usefulness in PTSD.   A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded trial is currently underway to examine the use of ART for early maladaptive grief (National Library of Medicine, 2023).  Emerging research supports ART as a promising treatment option for:

• Depression (Kip et al., 2013)

• Complicated grief (Buck et al., 2020)

• Anxiety (Storey, Marriott, & Rash, 2024)

• Sleep (Storey, Marriott, & Rash, 2024)

How many sessions will be needed?

Each person’s needs are different, but many clients report noticeable improvement within one to five sessions. 

In some cases, multiple memories connected to a single issuecan often be addressed in one session. Your clinician will collaborate with you to determine the best pace and treatment plan.

What is a typical ART session like?

• Sessions typically last 60 minutes. During this time:

• You'll sit comfortably while your clinician guides you through side-to-side eye movements and visualization exercises. 

• You'll focus on specific images, sensations, or emotions, while the clinician helps you transform how you store and experience those memories.

Will I have to relive painful memories?

ART is designed to minimize re-traumatization. You will briefly recall distressing images, referred to as imaginal exposure, with the goal to replace them with calm, safe, or empowering images—which can result in immediate emotional relief.

Is ART hypnosis?

No. ART is not hypnosis. You remain awake, alert, and fully in control throughout the session. Clients typically report feeling calm and focused rather than detached or unaware.

Is ART evidence-based?

Yes. ART has been studied in peer-reviewed research and has shown very promising results in studies to date.  A recent systematic review of ART for adults with PTSD found significant reductions in PTSD symptoms from pre- to post-intervention, as well as in symptoms of depression, mental distress, anxiety, and sleep dysfunction (Storey, Marriott, & Rash, 2024).

Is ART and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) the same?

No. ART shares some mechanisms with EMDR, particularly the use of bilateral eye movements and the aim of reducing stress linked to traumatic memories. ART is brief and highly focused, often requiring fewer sessions than EMDR. It employs a structured, directive protocol that actively guides the client to replace distressing images, enabling meaningful change in fewer sessions. ART emphasizes client control and avoids prolonged reliving of trauma.

Is ART safe?

Yes. ART is considered a safe, low-risk intervention. It is delivered by licensed mental health professionals who have specialized ART training and certification. As with any psychotherapy, your clinician will ensure the pace and focus are appropriate for your comfort and safety.

What does ART feel like?

Many people describe ART sessions as calm, focused, and surprisingly gentle. You may notice physical sensations—such as tingling, tightness, tears, or relaxation—as emotions shift and release. Clients often leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control.

How long do results last?

ART is a relatively new treatment (developed in 2008), and as a result, there’s a lack of long-term data. Although some research has suggested long-term benefits. In a study comparing military service members and veterans diagnosed with PTSD and treated with ART, there was a sustained reduction in symptoms observed at 6-month follow-up (Pang et al. 2021). Once the brain reprocesses a distressing memory, the emotional response to that memory may remain reduced over time.

How do I know if ART is right for me?

If you’ve experienced distressing memories, trauma, or ongoing anxiety you’d like to resolve quickly and safely, ART may be a good fit. 

You can schedule a consultation with an ART-trained clinician to discuss your history, goals, and whether this approach aligns with your needs.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy® and ART® are registered service marks of the Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery (RCRR), used with permission.

References

Buck, H. G., Cairns, P., Emechebe, N., Hernandez, D. F., Mason, T. M., Bell, J., Kip, K. E., Barrison, P., & Tofthagen, C. (2020). Accelerated resolution therapy: Randomized controlled trial of a complicated grief intervention. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 37(10), 791–799. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909119900641

Kip, K. E., Sullivan, K. L., Lengacher, C. A., Rosenzweig, L., Hernandez, D. F., Kadel, R., Kozel, F. A., Shuman, A., Girling, S. A., Hardwick, M. J., & Diamond, D. M. (2013). Brief treatment of co-occurring post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms by use of accelerated resolution therapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00011

National Library of Medicine. (2023, November 11). Accelerated resolution therapy for maladaptive grief. Identifier NCT05624879. ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05624879

Pang, T., Murn, L., Williams, D., Lawenta, M. l, Abhayakumar, A., & Kip, K. E. (2021). Comparison of accelerated resolution therapy (ART) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between veterans with and without prior PTSD treatment. Military Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab335

Storey, D. P., Marriott, E. C., & Rash, J. A. (2024). Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults: A systematic review. PLOS Mental Health.

Nichole Accetta is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner at La Lune Integrative Psychiatry and she is currently accepting new adult patients in Oregon and Washington. She provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy and medication management, and specializes in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, insomnia, eating disorders, PTSD, and panic attacks. Nichole has post-graduate training in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), accelerated resolution therapy (ART) for trauma, and grief therapy.

We have board-certified providers in WA, OR, AZ, CO, and NH who are specialized in different therapeutic modalities. Here at La Lune Integrative Psychiatry, we prioritize a holistic approach to care. We dive deeper to understand the core cause of your struggles and provide an individualized approach. Fill out our 5-minute intake form below and we can match you with someone today.