How Many Sessions of Accelerated Resolution Therapy Do I Need?
- Brittani Antunes, MC, LPC
- May 1
- 4 min read
If you're curious about this then you're likely looking for a therapy that can get you results quickly. Our lives are busy and therapy can feel like a lot to sign up for, I get it. Having old memories creep up into our already busy lives is also time consuming, ugh.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a type of therapy that can get you in and out of therapy, healed, and back to life.
How long does it take? You guessed it, 'it depends'. But I know how unsatisfying that answer is, so I'll try my best to break it down based on my personal experience as a therapist that uses this very often with those I work with.
1-2 Prep Sessions
I can't speak for all Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) trained therapists, but when working with me, this is my process:
We meet, you let me know (even in just a few words if you don't wish to share details) what you'd like to work on
We discuss if ART would be a good fit for the topic and what that would look like
I teach a few skills that are helpful to have on board that help get set up for the ART session, while doing the process, and in between sessions if needed. Emotional safety is top priority. I want you to feel and be safe before, during, and after.
We get set up for ART. I'll talk about the process, we customize settings of the website that prompts your eyes to move back and forth.
"eyes moving back and forth??" more on that below :)
1-3 Accelerated Resolution Therapy Sessions
There are some factors that contribute to how many sessions it takes from here, I'll keep it brief since time is valuable, but here are some...
More likely to heal a memory in 1-2 sessions if:
You have one specific memory to work on
ex- one traumatic event, one embarrassing memory, one nightmare, etc.
The memory is a bit older, not very recent
Because- it's had time to consolidate some
You've thought about/talked about this memory some
Because- your mind has started to sort out some thoughts and feelings already
This session is 90-min rather than typical 50-min
Because- the protocol tends to take 90-min to complete all of the steps, a shorter session may feel rushed or the steps not completed and will need to complete them in the next session.
You start the ART process at the very start of session
Because- checking in and talking about another topic prior to starting the process can add time and it's 15-min into the session before you know it, making it less likely to complete the protocol in one session.
Might take a little longer if:
You have multiple memories that you'd like to work on
Because- each memory will take a session (or depending on the situation, some can be lumped together and set up like a montage of a few similar memories).
If you have many memories over a span of time (ex- a childhood of abuse, years of bullying), it's possible that EMDR may be a better fit
Your memory is over a longer span of time
Because- there is likely more content to get through
The memory is recent
Because- your brain hasn't had time to consolidate parts of it, it's fresh so there are likely more details which can sometimes take longer to get through.
You haven't thought about this memory in a long while
Because- it's been tucked away in the back of the brain, thinking about it may bring more details than you recall, and can take a little longer.
It really depends on the person, mind, and memory.
Why is ART So Much Faster?
Traditional 'talk' therapy accesses the memory in a verbal way, while ART uses bi-lateral stimulation (doing something, often eye movements, that activate each hemisphere of your brain back and forth) to access the memory in an entirely different way. Instead of talking it through, we 'show' the brain where the memory is currently stored (in terms of visuals, thoughts, emotions, body sensations, everything) and store it differently... neatly... in one place... reprogramed with less emotional intensity, reduced/no physical reactions to it, and new thoughts surrounding it. Your mind now knows that it's in the past, no longer getting confused if it's happening now or not.
I'm valuing your time so I'm resisting the urge to dig into the details of how exactly this works because it is very cool. If you're curious, I have more info...
In short- we use the brain to re-file the memory rather than just think and talk about it.
What Will I Feel Like After an ART Session
If we complete the full protocol, then ideally....
When you think of the memory...
it doesn't suck
you may not feel much emotion at all
you don't have a physical reaction
you know it's in the past
You feel lighter
You feel a sense of relief
You feel free from this pain/impact
This memory will no longer loop in your mind
This event will no longer play a role behind the scenes in life
This event will no longer cause similar things in life to feel bigger than they are
You may notice a physical release (ex- less shoulder tension, knot in stomach gone)
Can I Get Quick Results Online?
Totally.
If you are in Arizona (and now also Minnesota, more states soon).... whether it's
Phoenix, Chandler, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Queen Creek, Sedona, you name it.. if you're in the state, then we can meet virtually for ART.
You can work around your schedule, no commute time, and be on your own comfy space.
I have a setup where I send you a link to another site where you can customize the visuals of what prompts your eyes to go back and forth OR we use other methods like tapping on your body back and forth in a certain way. As long as we're activating one side of your brain and then the other.
When Can I Start?
Soon. Very Soon.
If you would like to work with me, complete the Appointment Request Form and we can get our first session scheduled.
Let's do this, I'll guide you the whole way.
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