What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?

ART vs. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

How EMDR Works:

EMDR processes traumatic memories by having you recall the disturbing event while making side-to-side eye movements. The therapy follows your brain’s natural associations, ie: wherever your mind goes during processing is where you go. You might experience intense emotions, body sensations, or unexpected memories that surface during treatment.

EMDR typically requires 6-12 sessions (though it can be done in fewer for a single event) and works by helping your brain naturally process “stuck” traumatic memories. The therapist controls how fast and long you do the eye movements, adjusting the speed and direction based on your response.

How ART Works:

ART also uses eye movements, but you do exactly 40 movements each time and actively direct the process. Instead of following whatever your brain brings up, you deliberately choose how to change the disturbing images in your mind (this is called Voluntary Image Replacement).

ART sessions feel more structured and predictable because you’re in active control of reshaping the memory rather than just processing whatever emerges. This typically feels less emotionally overwhelming since you’re replacing disturbing images rather than only re-experiencing them.

Key Differences:

• Control: EMDR is more therapist-guided with variable eye movements; ART gives you more control with fixed 40-movement sets

• Predictability: EMDR can bring up unexpected material; ART follows a clear, structured protocol

• Emotional intensity: EMDR often involves re-experiencing emotions; ART focuses on replacing rather than reliving

• Sessions needed: EMDR typically takes 6-12 sessions; ART usually 1-5 sessions

• Experience: EMDR can feel emotionally intense; ART typically feels calmer and more manageable

Why This Matters:

If you've tried EMDR but found it too emotionally overwhelming, unpredictable, or if you didn't like not knowing what might come up during sessions, ART's more directive approach might be a better fit. Learn how ART treats trauma with less emotional intensity.

ART vs. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)

How ERP Works:

ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD. It works by deliberately exposing you to your OCD triggers while preventing you from doing compulsions. For example, if you have contamination OCD, you might touch a “dirty” object and then sit with the intense anxiety without washing your hands.

The theory is that if you experience the anxiety without doing the compulsion enough times, your brain will eventually learn that nothing bad happens and the anxiety will decrease. This typically requires 16-20 sessions of repeatedly facing your fears and tolerating significant distress.

ERP has good research support, and while it can be challenging because it deliberately increases anxiety initially, about 85% of people who start it are able to complete the treatment successfully.

How ART Works:

ART approaches OCD completely differently. Instead of facing triggers repeatedly, ART changes how OCD thoughts are stored in your brain's memory system.

For example, instead of forcing yourself to touch contaminated objects without washing, you might visualize the contamination scenario and then change the image so it no longer feels threatening. This changes how your brain files and responds to these thoughts without requiring you to endure prolonged anxiety.

Key Differences:

• Anxiety level: ERP increases anxiety initially before it decreases; ART typically feels manageable throughout

• Approach: ERP requires confrontation with triggers; ART changes how triggers are processed neurologically

• Time: ERP needs 16-20 sessions; ART usually 3-5 sessions

• Homework: ERP requires daily exposure exercises; ART has no between-session assignments

• Completion rates: ERP has 85% completion rate; ART has 94% completion rate

• Mechanism: ERP teaches your brain triggers aren't dangerous through repeated exposure; ART changes how triggers are stored neurologically

Why This Matters:

If you've tried ERP but found the anxiety too overwhelming, or if you completed ERP but your symptoms returned, ART’s approach to OCD offers relief without deliberately triggering your worst fears.

ART vs. TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

How TF-CBT Works:

TF-CBT combines cognitive therapy (changing thoughts about the trauma) with behavior changes and gradual exposure to trauma reminders. You work extensively on identifying and challenging negative thoughts like, “the entire world is dangerous” or, “the traumatic event was my fault.”

Treatment involves detailed discussion of the traumatic event, written trauma narratives, and homework assignments to practice new thinking patterns. TF-CBT typically takes 12-16 sessions and requires you to repeatedly revisit and discuss the trauma in detail to process it cognitively.

How ART Works:

ART bypasses the need for cognitive analysis entirely. You don’t need to understand why you think certain thoughts or challenge their logic (this tends to be an exercise in futility for many people anyway!). Instead, you work directly with the disturbing images that trigger those negative thoughts in the first place.

When you change how the traumatic images are stored in your brain, the associated negative thoughts naturally resolve without cognitive work. You don’t have to discuss trauma details, write narratives, or complete homework assignments.

Key Differences:

• Focus: TF-CBT works with thoughts and beliefs; ART works with images and memory storage

• Trauma discussion: TF-CBT requires detailed trauma discussion; ART allows you to keep details private

• Homework: TF-CBT involves extensive written exercises; ART requires no homework

• Sessions: TF-CBT takes 12-16 sessions; ART typically 3-4 sessions

• Approach: TF-CBT challenges trauma-related thoughts; ART changes the images that create those thoughts

• Cognitive work: TF-CBT requires extensive analysis; ART requires minimal talking

Why This Matters:

If you tried TF-CBT but found the cognitive work exhausting, if you don’t want to discuss trauma details, or if you understand your thoughts are “irrational” but still can't make them stop, ART’s non-cognitive approach for trauma and PTSD might be more effective.

ART vs. CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)

How CPT Works:

CPT is specifically designed for PTSD and focuses extensively on examining and challenging trauma-related thoughts through written exercises. You'll write detailed accounts of your traumatic experience and complete “impact statements” about how the trauma has affected your beliefs about safety, trust, power, esteem, and intimacy.

Treatment involves significant homework between sessions, including daily thought records and written assignments. CPT typically takes 12+ sessions and requires deep cognitive analysis of how trauma has affected your worldview.

How ART Works:

ART doesn't require any analysis of how trauma has affected your beliefs or extensive written work. You don't need to examine your thoughts about safety, trust, or control. Instead, you work directly with the specific traumatic images that keep your brain's alarm system activated.

By changing how these images are stored neurologically, your brain naturally stops treating old traumas as current emergencies. Healthy beliefs about safety and trust often return naturally without cognitive work.

Key Differences:

• Written work: CPT requires extensive writing assignments; ART involves no written homework

• Cognitive analysis: CPT focuses heavily on examining beliefs; ART bypasses cognitive work

• Trauma details: CPT requires detailed written trauma accounts; ART allows privacy

• Sessions: CPT takes 12+ sessions; ART typically 3-4 sessions

• Between sessions: CPT has daily homework; ART has no assignments

• Mechanism: CPT changes thoughts about trauma; ART changes how trauma is stored in the brain

Why This Matters:

If you’ve tried CPT but found the written assignments overwhelming, if you don’t want to analyze how trauma has affected your beliefs, or if you prefer not to write detailed trauma accounts, ART offers rapid trauma relief without the homework load.

ART vs. Brainspotting

How Brainspotting Works:

Brainspotting uses specific eye positions to access trauma stored in deeper brain regions. The therapist helps you find eye positions that activate your trauma response, then you hold that position while your brain naturally processes whatever comes up.

The approach is less structured and follows your body's natural healing process, which can be unpredictable. You might experience intense emotions, body sensations, or unexpected memories. Sessions can feel open-ended as you follow wherever your nervous system leads.

However, Brainspotting has limited research compared to other treatments, with very little quality evidence available yet.

How ART Works:

ART also accesses deeper brain regions but through a more structured, directive approach. Instead of finding eye positions that activate trauma and then processing whatever emerges, you use specific eye movement patterns while actively directing changes to disturbing images.

You're not just accessing and processing trauma — you’re actively reshaping how it’s stored. This feels more controlled and predictable since you’re directing the changes rather than following your nervous system's natural flow.

Key Differences:

• Structure: Brainspotting is less structured; ART follows a clear protocol

• Control: Brainspotting follows your nervous system's lead; ART lets you direct changes

• Predictability: Brainspotting can be unpredictable; ART sessions have consistent structure

• Eye work: Brainspotting uses static eye positions; ART uses specific movement patterns

• Research base: Brainspotting has limited research; ART has more established evidence

• Active vs. passive: Brainspotting is more passive processing; ART involves active image replacement

• Sessions: Brainspotting timeline varies widely; ART typically 1-5 sessions

Why This Matters:

If you've tried Brainspotting but wanted more control over the process, if you found it too unpredictable, or if you prefer a more structured approach with stronger research backing, ART's directive method might suit you better.

ART vs. Traditional Talk Therapy

How Traditional Talk Therapy Works:

Traditional therapy focuses on understanding your trauma, developing insights about how it affects you, and learning coping strategies to manage symptoms. You’ll explore patterns, gain understanding about your reactions, and work on building emotional regulation skills. This is especially true with issues like betrayal trauma or trauma experienced as a medical provider.

The approach emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, gradual insight development, and learning to manage trauma responses. Progress is typically measured in months or years, with gradual improvement in symptoms and functioning.

How ART Works:

ART bypasses the need for understanding, insight, or gradual skill building. You don't need to figure out why you react certain ways or learn complex coping strategies. Instead, you work directly with the neurological "filing system" where traumatic memories are stored.

When these memories get properly filed (through the eye movement and image replacement process), symptoms naturally resolve without requiring insight or coping skills. It's like fixing a malfunctioning alarm system rather than learning to live with false alarms.

Key Differences:

• Time: Talk therapy takes months/years; ART typically 1-5 sessions

• Focus: Talk therapy emphasizes understanding; ART emphasizes resolution

• Insight: Talk therapy requires developing insights; ART doesn't require understanding

• Skills: Talk therapy teaches coping strategies; ART removes the need for ongoing coping

• Relationship: Talk therapy relies heavily on therapeutic relationship; ART is more protocol-driven

• Talking: Talk therapy involves extensive discussion; ART allows privacy about details

Why This Matters:

If you've spent months or years in talk therapy, understand your trauma well, but still feel stuck with symptoms, ART offers a completely different approach that doesn't require more talking or insight development.

ART vs. PE (Prolonged Exposure)

How Prolonged Exposure Works:

PE treats PTSD by having you repeatedly and deliberately recall traumatic memories in detail while staying present and safe. You’ll tell the story of your trauma multiple times per session, often for 45+ minutes, while rating your anxiety levels.

You’ll also gradually confront trauma-related situations you've been avoiding in real life. The theory is that repeated exposure to trauma memories and reminders will reduce their emotional impact over time. PE typically takes 8-15 sessions.

How ART Works:

ART doesn’t require you to retell traumatic events repeatedly or gradually confront avoided situations. While PE requires 45+ minutes of detailed trauma retelling, ART’s trauma approach lets you keep details private while still achieving resolution.

You might bring the traumatic image to mind briefly, but then immediately work on changing it rather than sitting with it for extended periods. The goal is resolution through neurological reprocessing, not habituation through repeated exposure.

Key Differences:

• Exposure time: PE requires prolonged exposure (45+ minutes); ART uses brief activation followed by change

• Repetition: PE involves multiple detailed retellings; ART typically processes each memory once

• Approach: PE reduces impact through habituation; ART eliminates impact through reprocessing

• Real-life work: PE requires confronting avoided situations; ART doesn't require exposure exercises

• Anxiety tolerance: PE requires sitting with high anxiety; ART typically feels manageable

• Sessions: PE takes 8-15 sessions; ART usually 3-4 sessions

Why This Matters:

If you’ve tried PE but couldn't tolerate repeatedly reliving your trauma, if you found the exposure exercises too difficult, or if you completed PE but symptoms returned, ART offers trauma resolution without re-traumatization.

ART vs. Traditional Grief Counseling

How Traditional Grief Counseling Works:

Traditional grief therapy focuses on processing emotions, working through the “stages of grief,” and learning to accept the loss.

You’ll talk extensively about your feelings, explore the relationship with your loved one, and work on finding meaning in the loss. Progress is measured over months as you gradually adjust to life without your person.

How ART Works for Grief:

ART targets the specific disturbing images that keep grief feeling fresh and traumatic. Whether it's seeing your loved one in pain, a disturbing hospital scene, or the moment you received the devastating news, ART processes these painful images while preserving all your loving memories intact.

Instead of learning to “accept” painful images, you actually change how they're stored so they no longer cause distress. You’ll always have your love and memories, but the traumatic aspects of your loss lose their emotional charge.

Key Differences:

• Focus: Traditional grief counseling works on accepting loss; ART eliminates traumatic grief images

• Time: Traditional therapy takes months; ART typically 3-4 sessions

• Approach: Traditional focuses on stages and adjustment; ART targets specific disturbing visuals

• Outcome: Traditional helps you cope with painful memories; ART removes the pain while keeping the love

Why This Matters:

If you love your person deeply but are haunted by how they died, their final moments, or traumatic circumstances around the loss, ART’s grief therapy can free you to remember them with pure love instead of mixed pain.

Why These Differences Matter for Your Treatment Decision

Traditional therapies work with symptoms and thoughts

They help you understand, manage, cope with, or gradually overcome your reactions to traumatic memories through insight, skill-building, or repeated exposure.

ART works with the neurological source

It changes how the traumatic memories themselves are stored in your brain's filing system, which naturally eliminates symptoms without requiring coping strategies.

Think of it this way —

• Other therapies — Learning to live with a broken smoke detector that goes off when you cook

• ART — Fixing the smoke detector so it only goes off for actual fires

This is why ART can work even when other therapies haven’t…

Because it operates through a completely different mechanism than cognitive, exposure-based, or insight-oriented approaches, many people who've plateaued in traditional treatments find breakthrough results with ART.

Important ...

ART is newer — While ART shows really promising results, most of the research has been done by the same research team. A 2024 review said we need more studies by different researchers to be completely sure how well it works.

People have preferences — What works best really depends on the individual person, their specific trauma, and what they’re comfortable with.

What major organizations say — The American Psychological Association lists EMDR, PE, CPT, and TF-CBT as the top recommended treatments for PTSD. ART is recognized by SAMHSA (another important organization) but isn’t on the APA’s top list yet because it needs more research. Brainspotting doesn't have official evidence-based recognition yet.

Results vary — All of these treatments work differently for different people. The number of sessions, dropout rates, and how well they work depend on things like how well-trained the therapist is, how closely the treatment plan is followed, and individual factors about each person.

You don’t have to choose between ART and other therapies — you can use ART in tandem with any other therapy you’re in.

Ready to try ART for yourself?

I offer ART treatment for clients physically located in Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts for…

• Trauma and PTSD Treatment

• Betrayal Trauma Therapy

• Trauma Therapy for Medical Providers

• Fear and Phobia Treatment

• OCD Treatment

• Grief Counseling