Evidence-Based

ART is an evidence-based treatment that has shown very promising results in studies to date, especially those involving PTSD and bereavement.

ART is firmly grounded in techniques used in well-established evidence-based treatments, including exposure through visualization, relaxation/stress inoculation facilitated by eye movements, re-scripting of negative images, Gestalt techniques, and others.

Key Findings (to date)

Supporting Evidence

Rapid outcomes

(average of 3–4 sessions; as few as 1)

  • In a randomized controlled trial of combat-related PTSD (Military Medicine, 2013; N = 57), participants achieved large reductions in symptoms of PTSD after a mean of 3.7 sessions (Kip et al., 2013a).
  • A community-based civilian trial (Behavioral Sciences, 2012; N = 80) likewise showed substantial reductions in symptoms of PTSD within one to five ART sessions (Kip et al., 2012).
  • A veteran cohort including community residents and residents of a homeless shelter (Nursing Outlook, 2016; N = 117) reported large, comparable reductions in symptoms of PTSD (Kip et al., 2016).
  • Brief treatment courses with ART have consistently produced durable results, with sustained well-being demonstrated in follow-up work (OMEGA – Journal of Death & Dying, 2022; Belew et al.).

Effectiveness in PTSD
  • ART produces clinically significant and lasting reductions in PTSD and comorbid symptoms across both military and civilian settings:
    • In a randomized controlled trial published in Military Medicine (2013), ART recipients (vs. an attention control group) showed significantly greater reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related guilt immediately post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up.
    • In a randomized trial for complicated grief (Journal of Aging & Health, 2020; N = 54), participants demonstrated broad reductions in PTSD, grief, and depressive symptoms (Buck et al., 2020).
    • A Military Medicine (2023) subgroup analysis of data from an earlier ART veteran cohort found significant PTSD symptom improvement among participants, including those previously treated with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Broad symptom impact

(depression, grief, comorbidity)

  • Across multiple peer-reviewed investigations, ART alleviates co-occurring depression, anxiety, and grief alongside trauma relief:
    • In a 2013 prospective cohort trial (Kip et al., 2013b; N = 80), participants exhibited significant reductions in both PTSD and depressive symptoms after ART.
    • In a randomized controlled trial of ART in complicated grief (Journal of Aging & Health, 2020; N = 54) participants demonstrated significant improvements in emotional well-being and daily functioning.
    • In an observational study of veterans (Nursing Outlook, 2016; N = 117) subjects demonstrated multi-domain benefits, including reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality.

Sustained / durable effect
  • Across multiple peer-reviewed publications, ART was shown to alleviate symptoms of depression, prolonged grief, and anxiety:
    • A randomized controlled trial in complicated grief (Journal of Aging & Health, 2020) showed significant symptom reduction, with an observation follow-up (OMEGA – Journal of Death & Dying, 2022) documenting maintenance of gains and higher life satisfaction over time.
    • In military populations, symptom reductions persisted for at least six months post-intervention (Military Medicine, 2015; N = 80).
    • In cohort studies of diverse clinical populations (Kip et al., 2012–2016) researchers reported similar durability of outcome without need for extended treatment courses.

Evidence Base

Randomized Controlled Trials (including Secondary Analyses)

  • ART: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Complicated Grief Intervention(Journal of Aging & Health, 2020) — ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE
  • A Longitudinal Examination of Quality of Life of Older Adults with Complicated Grief Receiving ART (OMEGA – Journal of Death & Dying, 2022) — ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE
  • Randomized Controlled Trial of ART for Symptoms of Combat-Related PTSD (Military Medicine, 2013) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE

Non-randomized Studies: Pilot / Cohort / Comparative Observational / Case Reports

  • Insomnia Alleviated with ART: Two Case Studies (Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2025) — ABSTRACT
  • ART for Cancer Distress and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: Results of a Pilot Study (Psycho-Oncology, 2024)— ABSTRACT
  • Comparison of ART for PTSD Between Veterans With and Without Prior PTSD Treatment (Military Medicine, 2023) — ABSTRACT /  FULL ARTICLE
  • A Tale of Two Compulsions– Two Case Studies Using ART for OCD (Military Medicine, 2019) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • ART for Women Veterans Experiencing Military Sexual Trauma Related PTSD (Annals of Psychiatry & Mental Health, 2017) — FULL ARTICLE
  • Pilot Study of ART for Treatment of Chronic Refractory Neuropathic Pain (Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 2016) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • Evaluation of brief treatment of symptoms of psychological trauma among veterans residing in a homeless shelter by use of ART (Nursing Outlook, 2016) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • Comparison of ART for Treatment of Symptoms of PTSD and Sexual Trauma Between Civilian and Military Adults (Military Medicine, 2015) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • ART for treatment of pain secondary to symptoms of combat-related PTSD (European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 2014) — ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE
  • Case Report and Theoretical Description of ART for Military-Related PTSD (Military Medicine, 2014) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • Brief treatment of co-occurring post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms by use of ART (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2013) — ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE
  • Brief Treatment of Symptoms of PTSD by Use of ART (Behavioral Sciences, 2012) — ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE

Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses / Evidence Reviews

  • ART for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults: A systematic review (PLOS Mental Health, 2024) — FULL ARTICLE
  • ART: a Review and Research to Date (Current Psychiatry Reports, 2017) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE

In-Progress Trials

Studies are currently in progress or pending publication (results have not yet been peer-reviewed, but will be added to evidence base when completed)

  • Mayo Clinic — ART for Early Maladaptive Grief (NIH-funded) — In progress — VIEW OVERVIEW
  • Yale University — ART for People Living with HIV (NIH-funded) — In progress — DOCUMENTATION PENDING
  • Canadian Armed Forces — ART for Military PTSD (Government-funded) — In progress — DOCUMENTATION PENDING

Other / Perspective / Commentary

Other supporting information or research related commentary about ART

  • ART for Early Maladaptive Grief Study Protocol (American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 2025)— ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE
  • ART and a thematic approach to military experiences in US Special Operations Veterans (BMJ Military Health, 2022) — ABSTRACT /   FULL ARTICLE
  • Clinical, Empirical, and Theoretical Rationale for Selection of ART for Treatment of PTSD in VA and DoD Facilities (Military Medicine, 2018) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • Howe – Ethical Reflections on Offering Patients ART (Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 2018) — FULL ARTICLE
  • Waits – ART for PTSD (Psychiatric Times, 2018) — FULL ARTICLE
  • Practice comparisons between ART, EMDR and CPT with case examples (Nurse Education Today, 2016) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • The emergence of ART for treatment of PTSD: A review and new subgroup analyses (Kip et al., 2012–2016) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • ART: an innovative mental health intervention to treat PTSD (Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2015) — ABSTRACT / FULL ARTICLE
  • Society of Clinical Psychology Division 12 American Psychological Association — VIEW SITE
  • Review of Empirical Evidence Base – Kevin E. Kip, Ph.D — VIEW VIDEO
  • Information About the CPT vs. ART Study — VIEW DOCUMENT