Hello and Welcome Back to The Therapist Diaries,
When I started this blog, I wanted to find a way to share therapeutic tips for clients while also providing insight to other providers and future providers and this week I think I have the perfect topic to do just that.
Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the annual International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (IS-ART) Conference. The conference is an annual professional event designed for mental health clinicians who use or are interested in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. It brings together therapists, researchers, and trainers to share knowledge, explore clinical techniques, and stay up to date with developments in trauma treatment. The conference included live presentations and case studies and the best part for me is that it was held virtually so despite the 5 hour time difference, I was able to attend from England!
The 2026 conference was centered on enhancing clinical effectiveness when working with trauma and related conditions. During the expert talks, practitioners were given some great tools to assist in deepening their use of ART, integrating it into their existing practice, and improving outcomes for clients through evidence-informed approaches. One of my favorite talks was on the use of ART with patients who are diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
In my practice, I utilize ART for Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, and for mental health issues related to chronic illness such as Type One Diabetes. I've seen ART be used on a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the effects were a significant reduction in pain and so I was very optimistic about the outcomes of ART on those with ALS. To protect the integrity of the speaker I won't be discussing specific points from her presentation but rather summarizing my after thoughts.
Using Accelerated Resolution Therapy with clients living with ALS requires a deep sensitivity to the realities of a progressive, life-limiting condition. In my personal opinion this isn't something any ART clinician should be taking on. If I were advising a ALS patient, I would suggest they look for a Master ART Practitioner (a level above advanced) and I would also be looking to ensure that provider has experience working with progressive conditions as well.
While ART is not designed to treat the neurological course of ALS itself, it can play a meaningful role in addressing the emotional and psychological burden that often accompanies the diagnosis such as fear, anticipatory grief, trauma, loss of identity, and anxiety about the future.
A diagnosis of ALS (or any chronic or progressive diagnosis) can feel abrupt and overwhelming, often experienced as a psychological shock. Many clients carry distressing mental images tied to their diagnosis, future decline, or medical experiences. ART offers a structured, gentle way to process these images without requiring clients to verbally relive every detail. Through techniques such as eye movements and voluntary image replacement, clients can reduce the intensity of distressing memories or thoughts and shift how they emotionally respond to them. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who feel mentally “stuck” in worst-case scenarios or intrusive thoughts about disease progression.
One of the strengths of ART in this context is its efficiency and adaptability. Sessions can be shorter and more contained, which is important for clients who may experience fatigue, reduced mobility, or difficulty with sustained verbal communication. The therapist can modify pacing, incorporate breaks, and rely more heavily on imagery than dialogue when needed. This allows clients to engage in meaningful therapeutic work without becoming overwhelmed physically or emotionally.
Grief work is central when supporting individuals with ALS. Unlike traditional grief tied to loss after death, ALS often brings ongoing, layered losses- of function, independence, roles, and future plans. ART can help clients process these losses as they arise, reducing emotional flooding and supporting a sense of internal control. It can also be used to address earlier life traumas that may resurface or intensify following a serious diagnosis, helping clients feel more grounded as they navigate their current reality.
It’s also important to recognize the relational and systemic impact of ALS. Partners, families, and caregivers are often deeply affected, and clients may carry distress related to being a perceived burden or witnessing their loved ones’ pain. ART can support processing around these themes, helping clients access more adaptive beliefs, such as acceptance, connection, and meaning, even in the face of uncertainty.
Clinically, using ART with this population calls for flexibility, consent-driven pacing, and a strong attunement to the client’s physical state. Therapists must remain mindful of communication needs, accessibility, and potential medical complications, collaborating with the broader care team where appropriate. The goal is not to “fix” the experience of ALS and that should be made clear to the client to prevent future distress. The goal here, as with most chronic diagnosis we work through with ART, is to reduce unnecessary suffering and help clients feel more emotionally regulated, present, and empowered.
Ultimately, ART as a modality, offers a compassionate, efficient approach to supporting the psychological wellbeing of individuals living with ALS. By helping clients process distressing imagery, soften fear responses, and reconnect with a sense of agency, it can create space for moments of calm, meaning, and dignity, even in the midst of profound challenge.
Working with clients living with ALS reminds us that therapy is not about changing the reality of a diagnosis, but about transforming how that reality is carried. Accelerated Resolution Therapy offers a gentle yet powerful way to ease emotional suffering, helping clients move through fear, grief, and distress with greater calm and clarity. By meeting individuals where they are, both physically and emotionally, we can create space for dignity, connection, and meaning, even in the most challenging circumstances.
To find out more about ART visit the website here: Accelerated Resolution Therapy
For more information on how I use ART be sure to check out the Voyager Therapy Website
Until next time- be kind to your mind.
—The Therapist Diaries
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