Some clients talk through trauma. Others struggle to find words at all. But talking alone is not always enough. For many, the pain of a traumatic memory lives in the body just as much as the mind.
That is why therapists often look at methods that use both the mind and body to help people heal. Two of the most talked-about options are Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Both focus on how the brain stores painful memories. Both help reduce distress tied to trauma, anxiety, or loss. Yet they work in very different ways.
Here, we will explain how they differ, what research says, and how mental health professionals can train in each through board-approved continuing education.
Quick Comparison: ART Therapy vs EMDR
Both therapies use bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. But they do so in different ways.
| Factor | ART Therapy | EMDR Therapy |
| Core Method | Replace distressing images through visual processing | Reprocess trauma using the eight phase treatment protocol |
| Best For | Clients who avoid talking or struggle to describe trauma | Clients who can tolerate guided memory recall |
| Training Required | ART certification after clinical license | EMDR training |
| Session Structure | Short, fast, visual | Structured, step-by-step protocol |
| Insurance | Often billed under general mental health codes | Widely accepted for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
| Speed | Often resolves issues in just a few sessions | May take longer depending on trauma history |
What Is ART Therapy?
ART therapy is a licensed therapy method that uses creative tools, like drawing, sculpting, and painting, as part of the healing process.
It was developed in 2008 by Laney Rosenzweig, a licensed marriage and family therapist trained in EMDR. She noticed that many clients responded more quickly when imagery was added to bilateral eye movements.
Over time, she refined the process into its own structured method focused on rapid relief and body awareness.
So, ART works well for people who struggle to talk or who shut down easily. Because it is image-based, the process feels less invasive but still powerful.
During an ART session, the client recalls a painful event while the therapist moves a hand side to side. Each set of eye movements lasts about 30 seconds.
The client then imagines a new, more peaceful image to replace the distressing one. The goal is not to erase memory but to remove the sting that comes with it.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It follows a detailed eight-phase model that helps clients reprocess traumatic memories using guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.
Clients recall a distressing memory while following the therapist’s hand or sound tones that move left and right. This bilateral stimulation helps both sides of the brain talk to each other. Over time, the emotional charge tied to the event fades.
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model. The idea is that trauma gets “stuck” in the brain and body. EMDR helps the brain reprocess the event so it no longer feels threatening.
Today, EMDR is approved by the APA, WHO, and Veterans Affairs for treating trauma. It is widely used for PTSD, anxiety, and even complex trauma.
Clinicians can begin with a Certificate in EMDR Therapy Skills or go deeper with our Advanced EMDR Therapy Certificate. You can also explore all our EMDR courses for flexible CE options.
Key Differences Between ART Therapy and EMDR
Though both methods aim to resolve trauma and ART grew out of EMDR, they differ in how they get there.
Therapeutic Mechanism: Expression vs. Reprocessing
ART therapy uses creative expression to help clients feel and release trauma. The work is symbolic and body-based.
EMDR, by contrast, uses movement desensitization and reprocessing to directly target and rewire the brain’s memory of a traumatic event.
Client Suitability
ART therapy works well for multiple trauma victims, especially those who avoid talking or feel unsafe in the body.
EMDR is best for clients ready to engage directly with past trauma and follow a more cognitive, step-by-step model.
Evidence & Recognition
EMDR has more high-level research. A 2022 meta-analysis found EMDR effective across many trauma types and ages.
ART has fewer randomized controlled trials, but early findings show strong potential. Studies report symptom relief in just a few sessions, especially for veterans and survivors of complex trauma.
Insurance, Billing & Credentialing Requirements
EMDR is widely recognized and billable under PTSD and trauma codes.
ART is growing but less standardised. It often falls under general psychotherapy codes and may require explanation for reimbursement.
Session Duration
EMDR may take eight to twelve sessions or more.
ART is designed to work quickly. Each memory or “scene” is addressed one at a time, and treatment can be complete in 1-5 sessions.
Origin & Creation Date
EMDR was developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro.
ART came later, in 2008, developed by Laney Rosenzweig, a licensed marriage and family therapist who studied EMDR but wanted a faster and more visually oriented model.
The Therapist’s Role
EMDR therapists follow the client closely while staying within the protocol.
ART therapists play a more directive role, guiding the client through imagery, sensations, and resolution therapy techniques to replace negative images with neutral or positive ones.
When to Choose ART Therapy Over EMDR
Some clients need more distance from their trauma. They may feel dysregulated, highly anxious, or shut down during talk therapy.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) offers a gentler, image-based alternative that does not require them to recount details out loud.
It can be especially helpful for clients with:
- High emotional sensitivity
- Difficulty verbalizing trauma
- Fear of re-experiencing painful scenes
For clinicians who already use creative tools, ART may be a natural extension.
A study published in PubMed highlighted that ART often helps clients reach symptom relief within just a few sessions, while also reducing therapist fatigue. The research found that ART was as effective as other first-line trauma treatments like EMDR or Cognitive Processing Therapy, but faster, easier to learn, and less emotionally taxing for both client and clinician.
When EMDR Is the Better Choice
When a client is ready to face traumatic memories directly and wants a structured path to resolution, EMDR may be the better fit.
The eight-phase treatment helps build emotional stability before processing and includes built-in tools for regulation.
It is also better supported in court or medical settings due to its formal structure and recognition.
Can You Combine EMDR and ART Therapy?
Yes. Some therapists use creative tools to prepare clients before EMDR reprocessing. Others blend imagery and movement into later phases of EMDR.
A 2021 paper in the Journal of the American ART Therapy Association explored how ART therapy and EMDR can work together for clients with complex PTSD.
Written by a therapist and former client, the study described how combining both methods improved emotional regulation and interoceptive awareness during trauma work.
There is no strict rule, but it is essential to remain grounded in each method’s core principles. The goal is to protect client safety while allowing trauma to resolve in the brain and body.
Which Modality Should You Learn First?
That depends on your clients and your license.
For most licensed clinicians, EMDR is the more versatile first choice. It has broader insurance coverage, more referrals, and is often a requirement for trauma-focused agencies.
Once EMDR is established, ART can be a valuable tool for faster results or for clients who struggle with standard memory recall.
You can explore both via our continuing education courses, which are designed for working mental health therapists. We also ensure clear CE approvals by board and license type.
FAQs
What are the drawbacks of ART therapy?
ART has fewer large-scale studies, less formal recognition, and may not be covered by all insurance plans.
Is ART therapy covered by insurance?
Sometimes. It depends on how it is coded. Many therapists bill it under general psychotherapy codes.
Which is more effective, ART therapy or EMDR?
Both are evidence based trauma treatments. EMDR has more research. ART may work faster for some.
Is ART therapy good for trauma?
Yes. ART is designed to reduce distress from trauma through guided imagery and structured eye movements.
What is better than EMDR therapy?
There is no single “best” therapy. EMDR, Brainspotting, ART, and others serve different clients and contexts.
Who needs ART therapy?
Clients who avoid verbal processing, feel flooded by emotion, or want faster trauma relief may benefit from ART.
