They say time heals all wounds, but trauma doesn’t always respond to the passage of time. For many adults, painful memories and the anxiety attached to them can remain disruptive for years, no matter how much they want to move on.
Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) was developed specifically for situations like this. It is a structured and evidence-backed approach that helps people process and reframe traumatic memories. If you have been unsuccessful with other forms of therapy for unresolved trauma in adults, ART is a promising alternative to traditional approaches.Â
To help explain the techniques and benefits of ART, this article will cover:Â
Accelerated resolution therapy was developed in 2008 by Laney Rosenzweig, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Florida. She had trained extensively in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, another popular trauma treatment, and began experimenting with modifications for more consistent results.[1]Â
ART draws on the bilateral eye movements from EMDR and adds in a more directive set of techniques. Rather than following a client’s associations with trauma freely, an ART therapist guides the session through a specific sequence that’s designed to move from distress to resolution in a predictable timeframe.Â
Rosenzweig spent several years refining the protocol before it began attracting broader attention. Early case studies were promising enough that researchers began conducting more formal studies, with peer-reviewed studies underway by the early 2010s.[2]Â
Accelerated resolution therapy earned recognition as an innovative psychotherapy for trauma treatment, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recognizing it as a promising program. It has since been adopted across a range of clinical settings as an alternative trauma therapy method.[3]
Accelerated resolution therapy is relatively brief, with most courses running anywhere from one to five sessions, with each session usually lasting between an hour and 75 minutes.
A typical session moves through several phases:
Every approach to treating trauma works differently, so it’s useful to look at how ART sits alongside other well-established approaches. This can help you decide whether accelerated resolution therapy is the right fit for your needs.
An ART vs. EMDR comparison involves many similarities, as ART was developed around many EMDR principles. Both approaches use eye movements and target distressing memories directly, but EMDR follows the client’s memories, thoughts, and feelings as they surface. ART is more directive, with the therapist following a specific protocol.Â
CPT is another well-researched post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment that works by identifying and restructuring distorted thoughts connected to traumatic events.Â
CPT asks people to examine and reframe how they think about what happened to them, making it more verbal and cognitive-based than ART approaches.Â
By contrast, short-term trauma therapy options like ART don’t focus on the meaning of a memory. Instead, ART works on the imagery and sensations that have become attached to it.Â
Prolonged exposure asks participants to revisit their traumatic memories repeatedly and in detail, both in sessions and through homework completed between appointments.Â
It is based on the idea that repeated exposure reduces fears over time. However, the process can sometimes be difficult, and dropout rates can be higher.[4]Â
Rapid trauma recovery therapy like ART asks participants to access these memories as well, but the protocol is designed to move more quickly to reduce stress.Â
Conventional therapies, such as psychodynamic, person-centered, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, can take months or even years to make a change in trauma symptoms.Â
By contrast, trauma-focused therapies such as ART are designed specifically to target trauma symptoms and their emotional impact. This can make ART-based approaches a viable option for those who are finding it difficult to make progress with other methods.Â
The effectiveness of accelerated resolution therapy has been studied across both civilian and military populations, with results remaining encouraging as the research base continues growing.Â
One of the most-cited clinical trials found that ART was a trauma therapy capable of producing faster results for adults. ART demonstrated a 61% response rate, defined as at least a 10-point drop on the validated PTSD checklist, and a 94% completion rate. Other established PTSD therapies usually have a response rate of between 49 and 70%, with a completion rate of 60 to 65%.[5]Â
In addition, the number of ART sessions needed in this clinical trial averaged just 3.7 sessions in all, far fewer than the eight to 15 sessions required by other traditional evidence-based PTSD treatments.[5]Â
Another 2024 systematic review (the first of its kind on ART for PTSD in adults) found that all included studies reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms from pre-to-post intervention, alongside notable reductions in:[6]Â
One study published in Military Medicine found immediate, sustained reductions in PTSD and mental health symptoms for service members and veterans following ART participation.[7]Â
Reduction in the symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related guilt was much greater among the ART group compared to the control group, results that persisted at three months.[7]Â
While more large-scale, randomized controlled trials are needed, ART continues to establish itself as a viable alternative for trauma-based treatment across several adult populations.
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
As with all types of therapy, ART isn’t the right fit for everyone. But certain adults tend to respond particularly well, and knowing more about it can help you decide if it feels worth trying. Evidence has found that ART can be particularly helpful for adults who:
Conversely, accelerated resolution therapy might be less appropriate for adults with neurological conditions affecting their eye movements or those in a crisis situation.Â
If you are considering ART, it is important to work with a qualified provider who can assess whether this approach is appropriate for your situation.
If you’ve been living with trauma for a long time, you may feel like you’ll never be able to find relief. Please don’t lose hope. AMFM (A Mission For Michael) Mental Health Treatment uses a trauma-informed approach that includes accelerated resolution therapy.Â
ART is available at AMFM’s Minnesota residential locations, alongside a wide range of evidence-backed approaches for trauma and other mental health conditions.Â
AMFM Mental Health Treatment’s residential programming gives you access to a fully supported treatment environment for healing. We also offer flexible outpatient treatment programs if you need support that works around your schedule.
Our expert clinical team is tenacious in making sure you feel seen, heard, and cared for, with your well-being serving as our guiding principle. We believe in delivering the best possible treatment outcomes for you.
If you or someone you love is living with PTSD, unresolved trauma, depression, anxiety, or other challenges that haven’t responded to other treatment, call our caring team today at 866-478-4383 or start the admissions process online.
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Most people complete accelerated resolution therapy in one to five sessions, but the total number depends on the nature and complexity of the trauma being addressed.Â
At AMFM (A Mission For Michael) Mental Health Treatment, your treatment plan is built around your unique needs, with ART therapy being only one component of a considered, intentional plan rather than a standalone course of treatment.
Yes, it can absolutely still work, as ART works differently from other talk-based or exposure-based therapies. ART was developed to modify an EMDR approach, with many of the studies mentioned above contrasting it with other front-line treatments.Â
No, ART therapy for trauma in adults is designed so that the content of a traumatic memory can largely remain private. You will be asked to hold the memory in mind during a session, but you don’t have to talk about it out loud or walk your counselor through what happened.Â
Anxiety and depression commonly co-occur with trauma, and ART’s ability to work with several presentations as part of a larger, holistic treatment plan can be a major advantage. Â
If you’ve been seeking a fresh approach to healing from ongoing mental health symptoms, then call AMFM Mental Health Treatment today and find out how you can get started.Â
At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
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