What to Do After an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Session
Even after an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) session ends, your brain continues its transformative work. ART helps rescript traumatic memories into more positive versions through a process called "positization." This is facilitated by a mechanism known as "reconsolidation," where the brain changes how memories are stored, forming new, healthier beliefs and perspectives. This is often referred to as "rescripting" in the scientific community.
Understanding the Aftereffects of ART
ART leverages the brain's natural ability to process and integrate traumatic memories. The changes induced by ART are comparable to those that occur during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep, where the brain consolidates memories and processes emotions. This transformation helps make traumatic memories less distressing, storing them in a more adaptive and integrated manner.
Many people experience a newfound sense of energy, hope, and inspiration after just one ART session. However, it's important to remember that your brain continues to "positize," reconsolidate, and rescript memories for long-lasting results even after the session has concluded.
Positive Actions to Take After an ART Session
Indulge in Relaxation
Before your ART session, you might have been in a state of hyperarousal due to an overactive amygdala. Now, with the calming of this part of your brain, you can experience deep rest. The bilateral eye movements performed during ART create a deep state of relaxation by stimulating both sides of the brain.
Take this time to rest and process the emotions and experiences that surfaced during your session. Engage in calming activities like reading, spending time in nature, taking a warm bath with magnesium salts, or enjoying herbal tea.
Engage in Gentle Movement
Incorporate gentle movements such as stretching, yoga, or a leisurely walk in nature. These activities support the work accomplished in your ART session by encouraging you to be present in your body. Relaxing walks, in particular, can help process emotions further as your eyes naturally engage in bilateral movements similar to those used in ART.
Get Creative
ART engages the creative side of your brain, inducing theta waves associated with deep relaxation, creativity, intuition, and daydreaming. After shifting from "surviving" to "thriving," explore your creative side through activities like drawing, painting, or other forms of artistic expression. Creative endeavors can serve as powerful outlets for processing emotions and stimulating both hemispheres of the brain.
Journaling
Document your thoughts, feelings, and insights from your ART session in a journal. Journaling helps you remember and reflect on the images, narratives, and cognitions that emerged during the session. Writing utilizes both the rational and creative sides of the brain, aiding in the processing and integration of your experiences. This practice can reveal new perspectives as your brain continues to create new neural pathways.
Mindfulness or Meditation
Practice mindfulness or meditation to maintain the mind-body connection established during your ART session. Mindfulness helps you observe sensations and thoughts, enhancing your awareness of your wants and needs. Engage in activities that promote presence and intentionality, such as focused breathing or being fully present in your environment. This mindful state can provide insights into how to comfort yourself in future moments.
Finding Support
Consider seeking an ART-trained therapist to continue your journey of healing and transformation.
By indulging in relaxation, engaging in gentle movement, tapping into your creativity, journaling, and practicing mindfulness, you can support the ongoing positive changes initiated by ART. Your brain’s remarkable ability to rescript and positize memories ensures that the benefits of your session extend far beyond the therapy room, fostering a long-lasting sense of well-being and resilience.