ART: A New Method for Treating Trauma

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an emerging therapy used to treat PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other conditions like anxiety, phobias, and addiction. For those suffering from PTSD, ART targets the unresolved traumatic experiences and emotions that are stored differently in the brain. Usually, information is processed in the day, sorted at night, and then sent to the cerebral cortex for long-term storage. Unresolved experiences, on the other hand, are subcortical (stored below the cerebral cortex). Thus, these memories, especially those related to survival, are recalled and held on to. So when someone is faced with a situation that requires a fight or flight response, the body tries to recall this information so that it may respond in a way that increases the chance of survival. This understanding helps to partly explain the recurring flashbacks of traumatic events that some experience for years on end. ART is cleverly used to reprogram how these disturbing memories are stored in the brain so that certain images and sensations do not trigger intense emotional, physical, or physiological responses. Specifically, it targets and resolves the event that elicits the response, instead of just targeting the symptoms. 

One of the key points of this therapy is the back and forth eye movements that clients perform with the direction of the therapist. These eye movements are similar to those that occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep when the brain is processing information and consolidating memories. As the client is performing these eye movements, the therapist walks them through a traumatic memory (using guided visualizations) and helps them introduce and associate a positive sensation or feeling to that memory. This allows the brain to rewrite harmful memories and store them differently so that when the client recalls the memory, they recall the new positive sensation instead of re-experiencing traumatic physiological responses.

On a more microscopic level, the key to ART is believed to be how it utilizes the natural memory consolidation mechanisms of the brain. Evidence shows that a person can actually rewrite old sensations by first activating a memory, replacing the original sensations associated with it with a new sensation or stimulus, and then reconsolidating the memory within a certain period. This can modify the memory at the level of DNA transcription. In essence, ART uses a combination of eye movements and the brain’s reconsolidation mechanism to help clients rewrite old traumatic memories.

ART stems from another therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Both rely on eye movements and guided visualizations and may be used for a variety of mental problems. However, there are some key differences between the two. Since it focuses more directly on how negative images are connected with emotional or physical reactions, ART has a more procedural approach where clinicians are able to guide clients through a disturbing event to recode how the brain stores traumatic images and memory. EMDR, on the other hand, takes a free association approach that focuses more on content, where memories may come up and can be explored. However, this can cause memories to be left half-processed and can lead to clients fixating on distressing memories during the session, and hence requires a higher level of training and a longer session. 

Often, there seems to be skepticism surrounding ART. However, there are many benefits to this therapy. ART is effective and gratifying for clients who are able to overcome triggers in as few as one to five hour-long sessions. Research has indicated that many people experience positive, long-lasting results. Also, it helps prevent therapist fatigue or “burn out,” since clients do not need to talk about the traumatic event; rather, therapists guide clients through the entire process while patients visualise or think of the event on their own. However, since this therapy was created a little over ten years ago, in 2008, there is not as much evidence supporting it compared to decades-old therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy. There have been only a few case reports and one randomized controlled clinical trial. This randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted by the University of South Florida, showed a 94% treatment completion and found that ART may offer significant resolution of PTSD symptoms in less than five treatment sessions. It is also important to note that ART has firm roots in evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapies. Although ART is relatively new and may not be suitable for everyone, it provides a valuable new means of recovery for those affected by PTSD and other conditions.

An Interview with ART International

This past summer, I interned at ART International, which aims to help people who suffer from PTSD by promoting and providing ART therapy. Here is what Patricia Thompson and Kelly Breeding, the Vice Chairman and Executive Director of ART International, respectively, had to say:

Could you describe the process of establishing ART International and how it has grown? 

Patricia: ART International Training and Research is a grass-roots organization that was founded by Chris T. Sullivan. Sullivan became very interested in the therapy several years ago at a luncheon at the University of South Florida where he learned of the effectiveness of the therapy. He then decided to form a nonprofit organization to help people who suffer from trauma-related symptoms by providing the most effective and innovative therapeutic method possible—Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART).

The first thing we had to do was reach a legal agreement with the developer/founder of the therapy so that ART International would have an exclusive license to use the intellectual property needed to train mental health providers in the therapy. At the same time, Kelly Breeding, the Executive Director, was hired, and she began creating the application to operate as a nonprofit organization, developing our Board of Directors, and the process to run the business. Once an agreement was reached, we began creating a three-year business plan and established a board of advisors who would help develop a strategic plan. Additionally, we hired a digital media firm and a public relations firm to assist with developing the ART International brand by marketing the therapy and scheduled training.

We have seen tremendous growth over the past three years and have worked diligently to grow the number of training classes held and broaden the outreach to organizations nationwide in an effort to create partnerships to help expand ART.

What would you do differently?

Patricia: As far as what we would do differently, we probably would have spent some time creating an organized office space before getting too far into running the business and offering training. Additionally, spending more time with the founder’s business manager at the beginning would have been beneficial. We have learned a lot since we started and know that there is still much work to be done. 

Could you tell me about the work your organization does? 

Patricia: ART International Training and Research Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which provides training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART Basic level) and SAF-T to licensed mental health clinicians, supports innovative research in ART, and educates others about ART.

Why do you believe in ART? Why are you choosing to support and put your time into it?

Kelly: I believe in ART because I have seen how it can make significant progress in healing a client from trauma in just one therapeutic session. My involvement with ART International provides me the opportunity to apply my background in clinical social work across diverse populations with a specialization in trauma and life transitions as well as providing nationwide outreach for at-risk individuals and families.

Patricia: I became involved during the first study that Chris T. Sullivan funded over six years ago. Since I am not a mental health clinician, I struggled to understand how the therapy works. However, once I learned the science behind the brain and compared it to the protocol used during an ART session, I had an aha moment. It suddenly became very clear to me why people were having so much success. Time and time again, clients who have experienced ART hands down feel better and attribute gaining a new perspective on life from going through the therapy.

We are both very passionate about what we do. We hope that ART is easily accessible to anyone who needs it anywhere in the United States.

How do you see ART International changing in the future and what are some future goals?

Kelly: We truly believe that ART and other alternative therapies are going to change the face of mental health treatment as we have known it. Our future goals are to continue to advocate and educate the community at large on the power of trauma-informed care and how such tools can be applied to both treat traumas of the past and prevent future negative outcomes. We would like to continue to partner with organizations and broaden the reach of ART.