ART is a brief, evidence-based approach to help a variety of concerns, including trauma & PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, grief, loss, victimization, self-image, and interpersonal issues. It is grounded in a number of established psychotherapy techniques.

ART works by using eye-movements (similar to those that occur during dreaming) and increased relaxation. Through this therapist-guided process, distressing memories and/or images are changed in how they are stored in the brain. As such, they no longer elicit strong physical and emotional reactions.

Benefits of ART include:

• Distressing memories have the potential to become less negative or even positive.

• The memories/images become more normally processed and are stored in a brain location that no longer bothers the individual.

• ART is brief (requires fewer sessions as compared to other forms of therapy).

• The low need to verbalize distressing events may make ART easier for some individuals.

• It is a client directed approach with the therapist serving as a guide.

• There is a sense of closure with each ART session.

You can learn more about ART here.

EMDR is an evidence-based (research supported) approach to help several concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This intervention is an 8-phase protocol, beginning with history and treatment planning, preparation, and assessment.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation through the use of eye movements, tapping, and/or auditory tones to set up a learning state in your brain. Through bilateral stimulation, the experiences causing you distress are processed again and then effectively stored within the brain along with more adaptive emotions, feelings, and/or sensations. Additionally, new and positive cognitions about the experiences emerge and the older emotions, beliefs, and body sensations will diminish or be no longer present. This reprocessing is important for healing, and will be able to guide you in more positive and effective ways in the future.

EMDR is typically provided over several sessions. The number of sessions will depend on the nature of your concerns.

Benefits of EMDR include:

• A considerable body of research has demonstrated the efficacy of EMDR.

• The memory or event is remembered. However, the painful emotions, physical sensations, and/or disturbing images or thoughts are diminished or no longer present. New cognitions and perspectives may emerge.

• EMDR helps the brain work to reintegrate memories or events, and store them in a more appropriate place in the brain, and thus facilitating healing.

• Since EMDR relies less on verbalizing distressing events, it is often easier to engage in for some individuals.

• It is a client directed approach with the therapist serving as a guide.

More information about EMDR can be found here.

PE is an evidence-based (research supported) approach to help trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. It teaches individuals to gradually approach their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations. Through this process, they learn that these memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided.

PE works on the interventional strategy of exposure (commonly used in cognitive behavioural therapy) to help individuals face their fears. This is because most people who have experienced trauma avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma. However, avoidance actually reinforces their fears. Thus, by facing what has been avoided, through both imaginal and in-vivo exposure in a safe place, a person can decrease symptoms of PTSD.

Benefits of PE include:

• A considerable body of research has demonstrated the efficacy of PE.

• PE can significantly reduce the symptoms of PTSD.

You can learn more about PE here: