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Life Solutions Counseling Services
Trauma Recovery
Providing Professional Help To Adults In The Chicago Area
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a scientifically supported psychotherapeutic approach that employs reciprocal eye movements to assist clients in addressing common issues like depression, anxiety, phobias, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although it shares the use of eye movements with EMDR, ART is a distinct method.
In ART, the process involves connecting existing pieces of information in the client's memory, facilitating the resolution of their issues. As the brain focuses on a problem while engaging in eye movements, it forms new connections, reinforcing the individual's strengths and problem-solving abilities.
This targeted eye movement therapy, ART, has demonstrated swift, effective, and safe outcomes in treating various conditions such as trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, and grief, both in adults and children. During therapy, clients may initially experience discomfort when reflecting on their problems, but they often progress from unease to a sense of calm and, ultimately, relief. Evidence suggests that the positive changes achieved through ART tend to be enduring.
More about the Technique
In the therapy session, you will have complete control. Our conversation will proceed as it would in a typical session without involving eye movements. I will guide you through the process, asking you to use ART's Degree of Intensity Scale to convey the intensity of emotions linked to your issue by adjusting an indicator on the scale. Positioned slightly to your left or right, I will instruct you to follow my hand movements while you reflect on your concern.
During this brief period of eye movement, you'll describe your experiences, including any physical sensations. The eye movements are designed to process these sensations, allowing distressing feelings to diminish and positive emotions to flourish. Remarkably, through ART interventions, clients have often been able to replace negative images with positive ones. Consequently, when reflecting on their problem, it is the positive images that clients will recall.
Throughout the process, I will prompt you to pay attention to any body sensations that arise. There's no need to worry about whether you are performing ART correctly, as the eye movements have a relaxing effect and take care of the therapeutic work. I might pose specific questions for you to focus on during the eye movements, as they tend to enhance problem-solving abilities.
You may find that answering questions is more accessible while engaging in ART's eye movements. Creative visualization might also be incorporated to facilitate problem resolution. As we initiate ART, you might observe a growing sense of calmness, a common experience even for those who initially feel anxious. Despite delving into challenging events or problems, ART often instills a calming effect, with clients typically leaving the session feeling a sense of relief, as if a weight has been lifted.
Let Life Solutions Counseling services help you or your loved one through this most difficult journey
Accessibility & Parking
Parking is free and available in a lot outside of the building.
We are located on the second floor. Elevator is located just inside main lobby next to the stairs.