Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). In-person sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Accelerated Resolution Therapy Is Right for You

You may be wondering whether what you have been through is serious enough to look into something like this. Maybe the experience was a long time ago and you expected it to stop affecting you by now. Or maybe you are not sure what happened qualifies as trauma at all.

You might notice that certain situations still set off a reaction you cannot fully explain. A sound, a place, a person's tone of voice, and your body tightens or your mind goes blank. You may find yourself avoiding things that once felt ordinary, or carrying a weight that does not lift even when everything around you seems fine. Sleep may feel unreliable. Concentration may come and go.

These are common ways the mind and body respond to experiences that overwhelmed them. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They often reflect the ways your nervous system learned to protect itself.

If you are considering whether a structured therapy approach like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) could be worth exploring, this page may help you understand what it involves and how it works at Wholesome Psychology.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

ART counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be a good fit for people who are:

• Experiencing distress connected to specific memories, images, or triggers from past events
• Noticing that trauma-related stress continues to affect daily life, relationships, or work
• Curious about a structured, focused approach to working with difficult memories
• Looking for an alternative or complement to talk therapy they have tried before
• Open to exploring whether ART, another trauma-focused therapy, or a combination of approaches may help

This Service May Not Be the Right Fit If You Are:

• In immediate danger or crisis. Please see the crisis resources below.
• Seeking a psychological assessment, assessments are a separate service.
• Looking for psychiatric medication management. A referral to a prescribing professional may be more appropriate.

Crisis Resources

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, please contact one of the following resources:

• 911 for immediate danger
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Accelerated Resolution Therapy Is

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a structured psychotherapy approach that is sometimes used for trauma-related distress and difficult memories. It may involve guided imagery, attention to body sensations, and sets of eye movements, used in a paced and supported way while working with distressing material.

The goal of ART is not to erase or deny what happened. Instead, it focuses on changing how strongly certain memories, images, or triggers affect a person in the present. A session is guided by the therapist, and the pace is always set by the client.

ART is a therapy option, not a legal service, investigative process, or crisis intervention. This page describes counselling only. Assessments are a separate service at Wholesome Psychology. Questions about confidentiality are covered in a dedicated section below, and your therapist will review these boundaries with you in the first session.

Signs That Trauma-Related Distress May Be Affecting You

People seek therapy for many different reasons. You do not need a diagnosis to benefit from support. The following patterns are common among people who have experienced distressing or overwhelming events:

• Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or images that replay without warning
• Strong emotional or physical reactions when reminded of a past event
• Avoiding certain places, people, or situations because of what they bring up
• Feeling on edge, easily startled, or unable to relax
• Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or staying present in conversations
• Pulling away from people who care about you, even when you do not fully understand why
• A sense of emotional numbness or flatness that makes it hard to feel pleasure or connection
• Feeling as though the world is less safe than it used to be, or that something bad could happen at any time

If you recognise some of these patterns in yourself, that does not mean there is something fundamentally broken. These responses are common reactions to experiences that overwhelmed the mind and body. Structured support, including approaches like ART, can sometimes help reduce their intensity over time.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match Tool to explore therapist profiles, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance. You can also browse individual therapist profiles directly.
• Book your first session. In the first session, your therapist will review confidentiality, explain consent, and ask about your goals, history, and preferences. This is a chance to ask questions and get a sense of whether the relationship feels right.
• Build your plan together. Therapy at Wholesome Psychology is collaborative. Your therapist will work with you to develop a plan that fits your goals. If ART is being considered, it would typically be discussed as one possible option within a broader treatment plan.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes long, typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly. Frequency can be adjusted as you and your therapist see fit.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly and adjusts the plan as your needs change. There is no fixed number of sessions required.

The pace of therapy is guided by you. Your voice matters at every stage.

Evidence and Approaches

The following section describes the therapeutic approach offered on this page and places it in the context of broader trauma-focused therapy research. All evidence statements are grounded in the sources listed in the References section.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

What it helps with: ART is sometimes used for trauma-related distress and difficult memories, particularly when distress is connected to specific images, events, or triggers.

Evidence summary: ART has been discussed in peer-reviewed literature as an intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (Kip et al., 2013). Research on ART is still evolving, and the evidence base appears more limited than for some longer-established trauma therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).

Limitations: The current body of research on ART is smaller than for established trauma-focused therapies. More studies may be needed regarding comparative effectiveness, ideal candidates, and long-term outcomes. ART is not currently listed as a recommended first-line intervention in major clinical guidelines.

Broader Context: Trauma-Focused CBT

What it helps with: TF-CBT approaches target trauma-related symptoms including intrusive memories, avoidance, and disturbances in mood and arousal.

Evidence summary: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2018) recommends individual trauma-focused CBT as a first-line psychological intervention for adults with PTSD. The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA, 2020) also identifies CBT, cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure as strongly recommended interventions for PTSD.

Limitations: Treatment response varies among individuals. Multiple sessions are typically needed, and outcomes depend on factors including the nature of the trauma, the client's readiness, and therapeutic fit.

Broader Context: EMDR

What it helps with: EMDR is used for trauma-related distress and involves bilateral stimulation (often eye movements) while processing distressing memories.

Evidence summary: NICE (2018) recommends EMDR for adults with PTSD who have presented more than three months after a traumatic event. Like ART, EMDR incorporates eye movements, though the two approaches differ in their overall structure and clinical protocols.

Limitations: EMDR may not be effective for all individuals, and outcomes can vary. The approach requires trained practitioners with ongoing supervision.

Canadian Context

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC, 2025) provides public education on trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in the Canadian population. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2019) classifies disorders specifically associated with stress under ICD-11, which provides the international diagnostic framework used by clinicians.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from trauma-related distress is not a straight line. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work. There is no single timeline that applies to everyone.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions when the focus is on a specific memory or trigger. Others may need more time, particularly when multiple experiences or longer histories are involved. Your therapist will check in regularly to review how things are going and adjust the plan as needed.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature of the experiences involved, your current life circumstances, how ready you feel to engage, and the fit between you and your therapist. Therapeutic fit matters. If an approach or therapist does not feel right, changing either is always an option.

No therapy guarantees outcomes. Research suggests that structured trauma-focused therapies may help reduce distress for many people, but experiences vary. Honest conversations with your therapist about what is and is not working are part of the process.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by professional ethical standards and by Alberta law to protect your personal information.

All psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Your personal health information is protected under the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which are Alberta's primary privacy laws governing health information and personal data.

There are limited, legally defined exceptions where a therapist may be required to disclose information without your consent:

• When there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others
• When there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• When a court order requires disclosure

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during the first session. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You are not required to share a detailed account of what you went through. ART is sometimes described as allowing people to work with distressing material without needing to narrate the full event out loud. Your therapist will follow your pace, and you can work with present-day patterns or reactions rather than going through every detail of the past. The level of disclosure is always your choice.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Therapy is confidential, with limited legal exceptions involving risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. These limits are explained in the first session. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no single standard number. ART is often described as a brief and structured approach, and some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions when working on a specific memory or trigger. Others benefit from additional sessions, particularly when goals are broader or the history is more complex. Your therapist will review progress regularly and adjust the plan together with you.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters. If a therapist or approach does not feel right, you can speak with the admin team to explore a different clinician within the practice. Finding the right match is part of the process, not a sign that therapy will not work. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available across Alberta. Whether ART specifically is appropriate for virtual delivery may depend on the therapist, your needs, and clinical judgement. The same confidentiality standards apply to virtual sessions.

Is ART the same as EMDR?

They are different approaches, though both may involve eye movements in some form. ART and EMDR differ in their protocols, structure, and clinical application. A therapist can help explain the differences and whether one approach, another approach, or a combination may suit your goals. You can also learn more on the EMDR Therapy page.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed. You can book directly through the online booking system, use the Match Tool, or call 780-904-4880.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology's team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Certified Canadian Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. All psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians at the practice have training in trauma-focused therapy, including ART, EMDR, and cognitive behavioural approaches. To review individual therapist profiles and find someone who works with the concerns that matter to you, visit the Our Therapists page or use the Match Tool. You can also call 780-904-4880 for guidance from the admin team.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches tailored to each child's developmental stage and needs.

When a young person is experiencing the effects of trauma or distressing events, clinicians work collaboratively with caregivers to support the child's recovery environment. The approach is gentle and paced to the child's comfort. For more information, visit the Child and Youth Mental Health page or the Child and Youth Stress and Trauma page.

Getting Started

If you are considering Accelerated Resolution Therapy or another trauma-focused approach, you can take the next step in whatever way feels most comfortable:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Learn more about getting started

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Canadian Psychological Association. (2020).
  "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Post-traumatic stress disorder. https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/
• Kip, K. E., Elk, C. A., Sullivan, K. L., Kadel, R., Lengacher, C. A., Long, C. J., Rosenzweig, L., Shuman, A., Diamond, D. M., & Gironda, R. J. (2013). Accelerated resolution therapy: An innovative mental health intervention to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
  Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 24(1). PubMed listing.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018).
  Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025).
  About trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/about-ptsd.html
• World Health Organization. (2019).
  ICD-11: International classification of diseases, 11th revision. https://icd.who.int/en