Accelerated Resolution Therapy

ART is an evidence-based, short-term psychotherapy that uses relaxing eye movements and a technique called "Voluntary Image Rescripting." Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART focuses on how your brain stores distressing memories. 

By using guided eye movements, similar to what happens during REM sleep, ART helps your brain process traumatic images and sensations so they no longer trigger a "fight-or-flight" response. You don't lose the memory of what happened, but you lose the painful emotional charge attached to it.

ART is unique because it works directly with the images stored in your mind. During a session:

• Guided Eye Movements: Your therapist will guide your eyes back and forth, which helps calm the nervous system and facilitates bilateral processing in the brain.
• Voluntary Image Rescripting: You are empowered to "rewrite" the way a distressing memory is stored. You keep the facts of the event, but replace the negative images with more positive, peaceful ones of your choosing.
• No Need to Talk: One of the greatest benefits of ART is that you do not have to verbalize the details of your trauma to find relief. This makes it an excellent option for those who find it too difficult or retraumatizing to speak about their past.

While ART is most famous for its success with PTSD and trauma, it is highly effective for a wide range of concerns, including:

• Anxiety and Panic Attacks
• Depression
• Phobias
• Grief and Loss
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Performance Anxiety
• Relationship Issues

• Speed: Many clients experience significant relief in as few as 1 to 5 sessions.
• Empowerment: You remain in total control of the process and the "new" images you create.
• Low Stress: Because you don't have to talk extensively about the trauma, the sessions are often less emotionally draining than traditional methods.
• Lasting Change: By changing how the brain stores the memory, the relief is often permanent.

If you feel "stuck" in your healing journey or are looking for a way to resolve trauma without years of talk therapy, ART may be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for. Our Calgary therapists are trained in this transformative modality and are here to support you in a safe, compassionate environment.

• Jodie Purnell, Registered Psychologist - Advanced Trained