Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) stimulates the neural pathways in your brain. It mimics the rapid eye movements present in REM sleep, allowing your mind to effectively reprocess traumatic memories.
There’s no denying that trauma can leave a lasting impact on your mind and body. Even if it’s something that happened in childhood or even if it’s something you don’t fully remember, it takes a toll. ART can help to calm your nervous system, making it easier to work through those memories and lead a more peaceful life with better emotional regulation.
How exactly does the process work, and what can you expect? Let’s take a closer look at how ART calms the nervous system and why it might be the most effective option for you.
Eye Movements and Reprocessing
By utilizing rapid eye movements, ART allows your therapist to access the visual cortex. When the neural pathways in your brain are stimulated, you are able to process painful memories in a healthier, more effective way. If you’ve been holding onto trauma (even without realizing it), this process can make it easier to work through those memories and bring them to the forefront of your mind.
From that point, you can think of your brain having a “rewrite” button. The memories don’t go away. However, you are able to reprocess their negative aspects. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or scared by painful memories, you can start to see them from a different perspective and recognize that you’re in control.
ART helps you do this by encouraging visualization. You’ll use specific techniques to replace painful images with more positive ones, allowing you to move forward more effectively.
ART and the Nervous System
Research has shown that accelerated resolution therapy actually targets the sympathetic nervous system. This nervous system is responsible for your body’s “fight or flight” mode. It can increase your heart rate, make you feel like you’re on edge, and constantly make you feel like there is a perceived threat around, even when there isn’t one.
ART works to shift the nervous system into a state of relaxation by tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system. This is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response. It promotes relaxation, slows your heart rate and breathing, and helps you feel a greater sense of calm without worrying about what’s around the corner.
The Connection to Trauma
When you experience trauma at any age, it’s not uncommon to have a heightened sense of awareness throughout the rest of your life. You might constantly feel like you’re in fight-or-flight mode, or that you’re waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Combine that with unpleasant memories, and the lingering effects of trauma can affect everything from your career and relationship to how you see yourself and the world.
By utilizing a modality that calms the nervous system, you can start to focus on a genuine healing journey. With a more balanced system, it’s easier to reprocess memories effectively and replace them with positive perceptions.
Again, ART doesn’t erase the memories of your experiences. However, when you start to process them from a calmer, more balanced state, you’re more likely to recognize that your trauma doesn’t define who you are, and it certainly doesn’t have to control your future.
Accelerated resolution therapy can be a bit different from traditional talk therapy. It’s a science-backed modality that changes the way your brain processes certain things, which is often exactly what’s needed when it comes to healing from trauma. If you’re interested in learning more or you’re ready to set an appointment, feel free to contact us to set something up soon.