Who is ART for? 

People struggling with negative or intrusive images and emotions. People who feel stuck. People who have not found relief from traditional talk therapy.  People who have never tried therapy.  People who are not comfortable telling a therapist the details of their trauma history.

Does ART work for everyone?

No, not everyone is a good candidate for ART. Most importantly, to participate in ART you must have full use of your eyes.  People with vision disorders may not qualify to have ART sessions.  Further, ART is most effective with people who have experienced some sort of trauma in their lives.  However, ART is also an effective mode of treatment for many other disorders.  If you are still uncertain whether or not ART would be right for you, please contact me for more information. 
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What makes ART different from other eye movement therapies?

There are several different therapies that involve the use of eye movements.  What makes ART unique is two-fold.  Firstly, ART is a client-centered mode of therapy.  It is interactive and allows the client to be an active participant in their treatment.  Secondly, ART is not a passive approach.  There are different procedures for different types of problems.  ART considers each person unique and thus ART provides a variety of treatment protocols to address different problems.

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How does ART work?

This is a very complicated question.  The truth is that very little is actually known about how the brain works and why any mode of therapy is helpful.  What is known is that learning appears to be facilitated and strengthened by the R.E.M. stage of sleep.  ART simulates the same type of brain activity that occurs during the R.E.M. stage.  ART has been shown to facilitate in learning new patterns of thought and behavior.  A large part of ART also involves voluntary memory replacement.  This process does not “remove” the memory however it removes the “images” associated with it.  Clients who have participated in ART have shown a change in affect which is almost immediate.

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How long does it take to see results?

Most people will feel significant relief from symptoms after only one session. ART often resolves one presenting problem in a one to three session model. Clients may continue on in therapy to resolve other issues. In addition, clients may wish to use traditional talk sessions to process the changes and insights they have gleaned from ART’s eye movement sessions.

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Are there any risks associated with ART sessions?

Yes, distressing or unresolved memories may surface through the use of the ART procedure. Some people have reported experiencing a high level of emotional or physical sensations during the ART sessions. If this is a concern for you, we recommend that you consult with your physician before participating in ART sessions.

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What does a session look like?

Sessions last 60-75 minutes on average.  The client is always in control of the entire ART session, with the therapist guiding the process. Although some traumatic experiences such as rape, combat experiences, or loss of a loved one can be very painful to think about or visualize, this therapy rapidly moves clients beyond the place where they are stuck in these experiences toward growth and positive changes.  The treatment is grounded in well-established psychotherapy techniques, and the end result is that traumas and difficult life experiences will no longer trigger strong emotions or physical reactions. Importantly, clients do not even have talk about their traumas or difficult life experiences with the therapist to achieve recovery.  ART is not hypnosis.

 

Evidence-Based

ART is officially recognized at the federal level by the National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices (NREPP). ART was found to be an effective psychotherapy for PTSD, depression, stress, and personal resilience. ART was also classified as a promising therapy for symptoms of phobia, panic, anxiety, sleep and wake disorders, disruptive and antisocial behaviors, general functioning and well-being.

 

Scientifically Researched

ART has been shown to be highly effective in multiple studies, including a Department of Defense study of combat-related trauma.

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How much does it cost and is it covered by my insurance?

Cash cost for a session is $130 and they last approximately 60 -75 minutes. All clients must schedule an intake session prior to engaging in ART. Intake sessions cost $150. You may also use your health insurance as needed.

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How do I schedule a session?

Call, email or complete contact me to for a consultation.