Why ART Is One of My Favourite Trauma Therapies

Gun Meskanen
Oct 8
3 min read

When it comes to facilitating healing from trauma, few therapies are as transformative and gentle as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Over the years, I’ve supported many clients through different trauma modalities, but ART stands out as one of my absolute favourites — and for good reason.

What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?

ART is an evidence-based trauma therapy designed to help people process distressing memories quickly and safely. It draws on elements of eye movement therapy, somatic awareness, and guided visualization to help the brain reprocess painful memories without the need to retell the story in detail.

This means that you don’t have to retell the trauma to heal from it — a huge relief for many people who find traditional talk therapy re-traumatising or overwhelming.

Why I Love Using ART in My Practice

As a therapist, I’ve seen ART create powerful shifts in just a few sessions. People often describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more at peace — even after years of carrying painful memories. Here’s why ART has become one of my most valued tools in trauma therapy:

1. It’s Fast and Effective

While trauma can take years to process with conventional approaches, ART often produces noticeable results within one to five sessions. Clients frequently report that the emotional charge around a memory is gone — they can think about it without distress.

2. It’s Gentle and Empowering

One of the reasons I like ART is that it doesn’t require clients to go into detail about their trauma unless they choose to. You are in control of what you want to share, while your mind and body do the healing work in a safe, contained way.

3. It’s Integrative and Holistic

ART blends beautifully with other approaches I use, such as breathing and mindfulness-based interventions. It acknowledges the body–mind connection and supports nervous system regulation, which is vital in trauma recovery.

4. It Helps Restore Hope

Trauma can make people feel stuck — trapped in painful loops of memory and emotion. ART helps rewire how the brain stores these experiences, offering a real sense of freedom.

Who Can Benefit From ART?

ART can be used for a wide range of issues, including:

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Phobias
Grief and loss
Chronic pain
Disturbing memories or nightmares

It’s suitable for adults and adolescents, and can be integrated alongside other counselling or medical treatments.

Healing Without Reliving the Pain

What makes ART so special is its focus on resolution rather than re-exposure. Instead of rehashing painful stories, ART helps the brain rewrite how those memories are stored — replacing distressing imagery with calm, positive, and empowering ones.

Clients often describe it as “the trauma is still there, but it no longer hurts.” That can be a truly life-changing experience.

Ready to Experience ART for Yourself?

If you’ve been living with the effects of trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories, Accelerated Resolution Therapy may be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

I offer ART sessions in Sunrise Beach, Gympie, and online, so you can experience this gentle yet powerful trauma therapy wherever you are. In my experience, ART works as well in person as online.

Book a session today to start your journey toward calm, clarity, and emotional freedom.