Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) in Jacksonville, FL
At MCS Counseling Center in Jacksonville, Florida, we offer Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-informed, trauma-focused psychotherapy that uses guided eye movements and imagery techniques to help individuals process distressing memories and emotional experiences.
ART may be helpful for individuals experiencing trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, phobias, grief, and other concerns involving distressing memories. Our trained clinicians offer ART as a focused intervention or as part of an individualized treatment plan, depending on each client's needs and goals.
What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy that combines guided eye movements with techniques designed to help individuals process distressing memories and reduce the emotional and physical responses associated with them.
ART incorporates a process called Voluntary Image/Memory Replacement, which allows clients to change how distressing images are experienced without changing the factual details of what occurred.
While ART shares some features with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), including the use of eye movements, the two approaches follow different treatment protocols.
One distinguishing feature of ART is that clients do not necessarily need to describe the details of traumatic experiences aloud to benefit from the process.
What Can ART Help With?
ART has been studied primarily for trauma-related concerns, with additional research exploring its potential applications for other psychological difficulties.
Depending on individual circumstances and clinical assessment, ART may be considered for:
Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety and panic-related symptoms
Phobias and distressing fears
Grief and loss
Distressing memories and experiences
Depression associated with difficult life experiences
Emotional distress related to past events
ART is not necessarily appropriate for every individual or presenting concern. Your therapist will help determine whether it may be a suitable part of your treatment.
What Happens During an ART Session?
ART is a collaborative process in which you remain aware, engaged, and in control throughout the session. It is not hypnosis.
During treatment, your therapist will guide you through a structured sequence of eye movements while you focus on selected memories, images, emotions, or physical sensations.
You may be invited to notice and describe what you experience, although you are not required to share every detail of a distressing memory.
Your therapist may also guide you through Voluntary Image/Memory Replacement, allowing you to develop alternative imagery that can change how an upsetting experience is emotionally processed.
The goal is not to erase the facts of what happened, but to reduce the distress associated with remembering it.
Your therapist will explain the process, monitor your responses, and adjust treatment according to your needs and comfort.
How Many ART Sessions Will I Need?
ART was developed as a relatively brief, focused approach to psychotherapy.
Some individuals report meaningful improvement within a small number of sessions, while others may benefit from additional treatment depending on their symptoms, personal history, and clinical needs.
ART can also be incorporated into longer-term psychotherapy when appropriate.
There is no predetermined number of sessions that guarantees a particular outcome. Treatment planning is individualized and discussed collaboratively with your therapist.
ART Therapists at MCS Counseling Center
MCS Counseling Center offers Accelerated Resolution Therapy in Jacksonville, Florida, through clinicians who have completed specialized ART training.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Resolution Therapy
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No. Although both approaches incorporate eye movements and address distressing experiences, ART and EMDR are distinct psychotherapies with different treatment protocols. ART includes a structured imagery replacement component and may be delivered within a relatively brief course of treatment.cription text goes here
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Not necessarily. One feature of ART is that clients can work with distressing memories without having to verbally disclose every detail. Your therapist will explain what information is needed for treatment and work collaboratively with you throughout the process.
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No. ART does not erase the factual memory of an experience. Instead, its techniques aim to change how distressing images and memories are experienced, potentially reducing their associated emotional and physical responses.
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Your therapist will consider your presenting concerns, treatment history, goals, and current functioning. ART may be recommended as a focused intervention or incorporated into a broader course of psychotherapy when clinically appropriate.
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ART may be incorporated into psychotherapy services that are eligible for insurance coverage. Coverage depends on your insurance plan, medical necessity, provider network participation, and applicable benefits. Our office can help review your insurance information before scheduling.
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MCS Counseling Center provides ART services through trained clinicians at our practice located at 7545 Centurion Parkway, Suite 106, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Please contact our office to discuss provider availability and whether ART may be appropriate for your needs.
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Yes. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) may be provided through secure video sessions when clinically appropriate. While ART is often conducted in person, trained therapists can adapt the eye-movement process for telehealth.
At MCS Counseling Center, telehealth ART may be available depending on the clinician, your individual treatment needs, and whether a virtual setting is appropriate. Your therapist will discuss the process, technology requirements, and whether in-person or virtual ART is the best fit for you.
The Research Behind ART
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed research examining its use for trauma-related symptoms and other psychological concerns.
Research on ART has included randomized controlled trials and clinical studies involving individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, grief, and related distress. Studies have reported meaningful reductions in symptoms for many participants, often within a relatively brief course of treatment.
A 2024 systematic review examined the available research on ART for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Across the studies included in the review, participants experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with improvements also reported in depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and sleep difficulties. The researchers concluded that ART shows promise as a time-efficient treatment for PTSD while emphasizing that additional high-quality research is needed to continue building the evidence base.
ART has also been studied in randomized controlled trials. A study involving U.S. service members and veterans with combat-related PTSD found significantly greater reductions in PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related guilt among participants receiving ART compared with an attention-control condition. Another randomized clinical trial involving older adults experiencing complicated grief found significant improvements in grief, PTSD, and depression symptoms following ART.
As with any form of psychotherapy, individual experiences and outcomes vary. The number of ART sessions needed depends on the concerns being addressed, the individual client, and their treatment goals.
Selected ART Research
Storey, D. P., Marriott, E. C. S., & Rash, J. A. (2024). Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults: A systematic review. PLOS Mental Health, 1(4), e0000123.
Kip, K. E., Rosenzweig, L., Hernandez, D. F., et al. (2013). Randomized controlled trial of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for symptoms of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Military Medicine, 178(12), 1298–1309.
Buck, H. G., Cairns, P., Emechebe, N., et al. (2020). Accelerated Resolution Therapy: Randomized controlled trial of a complicated grief intervention. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 37(10), 791–799.
Meet the Founder of ART, Laney Rosenzweig
Hear from Laney Rosenzweig, LMFT, as she shares the benefits of ART.