By: Olivia Schreiber, RCSWI

It is not easy being a child today, and I think it is even harder to be a teen. With all the peer pressure, bullying, and social media, our youth can struggle and suffer from trauma that goes unrecognized and untreated. Recently, teen depression and suicide have been reported to go up …… need reference.

Unresolved trauma is often a root cause of anxiety and depression. That’s where ART comes in. ART–Accelerated Resolution Therapy– is a safe and effective treatment that utilizes eye movements to help individuals process trauma, anxiety, depression, and other conditions in both adults and children. And though ART is a relatively young modality, developed by Laney Rosenzweig, LMFT in 2008, it is already recognized by SAMSHA as an evidenced-based therapy for trauma. 

Even more, it is a treatment that aims to ensure minimal discomfort and exposure, therefore, making it not only a preferred method for adults seeking relief from PTSD, but ideal for youth. In fact, ART can be used on children as young as 5 years old. 

 

In fact, ART can be used on children as young as 5 years old. 

 

Another primary benefit of ART is that it works quickly and effectively to replace negative images in the mind with positive ones. Some will find relief in 1 session, and usually no more than 5 sessions are needed.  With a focus on increasing resilience, or “positizing” as Laney explains, ART provides a tolerable, non-invasive approach. Laney defines positizing as …..   

 

By leveraging well-validated therapeutic approaches like Gestalt, Psychodynamic Therapy and Guided Imagery, ART stands out as a dynamic and integrative therapy. 

The eye movements and ART protocols quickly reduce negative sensations and shift distressing emotions and memories without aversive exposure or weeks of intense therapy. Better yet, there is also no homework as with some other trauma treatments. 

 

Better yet, there is no homework!

 

Children and youth catch on to ART easily and it is adaptable for those who suffer from autism, adhd, and for those who are less verbal. Sessions may be shortened to best support younger children, as well as providing age-appropriate language to guide youth through the process of ART. 

 

As a provider, it is a relief to uncover a modality that is remarkably effective in providing relief from fears, grief, feeling stuck, obsessive thoughts, constant looping, stress management, performance and test anxiety, and more. If you or your child struggle with unresolved trauma or anxiety, reach out and learn more about ART. You are not alone. Reach out and start your healing journey today. 

 

Complete this form today, to get more information about ART! 

To learn more about the details of ART and further research, please visit the official website of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) at https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com/ 

---

Written by:

Teen & Adult Psychotherapist, Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern

Olivia Schreiber, RCSWI