FAQs

ART works best for people who are genuinely ready to resolve their problem. If there are secondary benefits to keeping the problem (like avoiding certain responsibilities or getting extra attention/care), or if someone isn't fully committed to change, ART may not be effective.
ART is most successful when clients are motivated to put the issue behind them.

Both use bilateral stimulation (eye movements) to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, but that’s where the similarities end.

EMDR uses free association, which means your mind goes where it goes during processing. This can mean unpredictable session lengths and sometimes wandering into territory that wasn’t the original target. ART uses a directive, structured protocol that keeps you focused on specific images and sensations. We know where we’re going and how to get there.

EMDR typically requires building significant rapport before trauma processing can begin, which means several sessions of groundwork first. ART doesn’t depend on that established relationship in the same way. We can often begin processing in the first session, meaning you experience relief sooner.

With EMDR, you’ll likely describe your trauma out loud in detail during processing. ART works differently: you hold the images in your mind, but you don’t have to narrate them to me. For partner betrayal trauma, where the images might be explicit, humiliating, or involve your partner with someone else, not having to verbalize everything matters.

The result: ART typically resolves trauma in 1-5 sessions, while EMDR often requires significantly more (6-12+). You’ll leave able to remember what happened without the emotional charge so that you can make clear decisions about your relationship, sleep through the night, and stop being ambushed by intrusive images every time you close your eyes.

Betrayal trauma is your nervous system's response to discovering that the person who was supposed to be safe — your partner — was living a hidden life. An affair, a secret sexual behavior, a secret relationship, a pattern of lies that rewrites the history of your relationship, etc.

You might be experiencing intrusive images that show up uninvited: what you saw, what you imagine, what you can’t stop picturing even when you try. You might be cycling between rage and numbness, or between desperate hope and cold detachment, sometimes within the same hour. Sleep is probably a disaster and you’re likely having nightmares. You’re on edge, scanning for more lies, checking things you never thought you’d check. Your appetite is gone or you’re eating without tasting. Concentration at work feels impossible.

You might also notice you’re questioning your own reality. You knew something was off, you asked, and you were told you were crazy, insecure, controlling. Now you know you were right, but the gaslighting did its damage, and you’re not sure you can trust your own perceptions anymore.

Some people describe it as feeling like a bomb went off in their life. Others say it’s more like discovering they've been living in The Truman Show. The relationship you thought you had didn’t exist, and now you have to somehow function while grieving something that was maybe never real.

If this sounds like your life right now, that’s betrayal trauma.

No. In fact, most people can’t make that decision clearly while they’re still traumatized, and that’s exactly the problem. The intrusive images, the emotional flooding, the hypervigilance... all of that makes it nearly impossible to think straight about your future.

ART doesn’t require you to know what you want. It helps you get to a place where you can know. Once the traumatic charge is resolved, you’ll be able to evaluate your relationship with a clear head instead of through the fog of crisis. Some clients realize they want to rebuild, others realize they’re done, and others realize they aren’t ready to make a decision either way. No matter what you decide, the decision comes from clarity.

No. That’s not my role, and frankly, I don’t think it's anyone’s place to tell you whether to stay or go.

My job is to help you resolve the trauma so you can make that decision yourself, without the intrusive images, the obsessive thoughts, and the emotional overwhelm getting in the way. Once we’ve done that work, you’ll have access to your own clarity. What you do with it is up to you.

Yes. You don’t need to have left, separated, or figured out your living situation before starting ART.

ART works by resolving the emotional charge attached to specific memories and images. If your situation is still unfolding (new discoveries, ongoing deception, trickle truth, etc.) we can absolutely make progress, you may just need additional sessions over time as new material surfaces. Each session still works the same way.

Great question! You don’t need to be a strong visualizer for ART to work. The three things needed for a successful session are: the ability to move your eyes comfortably left and right, the ability to hold a thought or image (even a vague one), and motivation to resolve the issue.

Many clients worry about this, but you can “think your way through” the problematic scene or thought, rather than needing vivid mental pictures. ART works with whatever way your mind naturally processes information.

I'm so glad you're interested in working together!

I don't offer consultation calls due to my scheduling constraints.
Instead, I've included comprehensive information about working with me on my website so that you can get all your questions answered immediately.

I am also in the process of adding video content to my Therapy Service pages as an alternative way of consuming the information (and so that you can get a feel for what it's like to work with me on video!).

Of course, there will always be unique circumstances. If you don't know which service best fits your situation, or you have a question that isn't answered on the Therapy Service pages, please feel free to reach out via the Contact Form below.

Unfortunately, no. I live in Mexico, and therefore ALL of my work is 100% online. I use HIPAA-compliant video software to meet with clients, so we’ll be able to see each other during the session.

My fee is a flat $500 for an ART session.

Most issues are resolved in just 1-5 sessions, depending on complexity. Simple issues like needle phobia or a single traumatic incident typically only need 1 session, while more complex issues like complex PTSD, social phobia, addiction, or OCD may take 4-5 sessions.

Session length is typically between 60-90 minutes. This gives us enough time to complete the full ART process without feeling rushed.

For most issues, weekly ART sessions will suffice. The exception to that is addiction, in which case we will need to meet 2x a week for 2-3 weeks.

For clients who want faster results, ART intensives are also available. An intensive is 4+ hours in one day and can address multiple "scenes" or complex issues all at once. There is a cost difference for intensives, but they allow you to complete your entire treatment in a single day or a weekend, rather than spreading it across several weeks.

ART sessions are 90 minutes to ensure we have enough time to complete the full process without feeling rushed. While some sessions may only take 60-75 minutes, others require the full 90 minutes if we discover additional “scenes” or underlying issues during the process.

This longer timeframe allows for thorough resolution rather than having to stop mid-process and continue in another session. You’ll only be charged the flat $500 fee.

No, I am not in network with any insurance company. (You may sometimes see my name on outdated provider lists, but I left insurance networks in 2022.)

Yes, but please be aware that insurance reimbursement varies significantly by plan, and my 90-minute sessions do not fit standard insurance session length expectations (which are typically 53 minutes). This means your insurance company may only partially reimburse you.

You are responsible for paying at the time of service, and my record system will email you a Superbill automatically once per month (by request only).

When you schedule a session, payment is required at the time of booking to hold your spot. For any additional sessions I schedule for you, your card will be automatically charged within 24 hours before the appointment time. Credit cards are securely stored in your private client chart.

I am currently seeing ART clients on Thursdays from 6am to 4pm Pacific Time. I will be opening additional session options as they become available.

ART intensives are available outside of my typical Thursday schedule but will need about 2 weeks' notice to arrange.

Once you request a session either via email or using the self-scheduling widget above, I will send you your new client forms. (These forms come from my electronic record system, not my email.)

You are responsible for reviewing and digitally signing them at least 72 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment to avoid an auto-cancellation.

If you don’t receive these forms, please reach out to me at allyson@allysonclemmonslicsw.com.

Please use my self-scheduling link HERE to schedule your first session.