Vickie Alston, LCSW, DCSW

I have tried many forms of traditional talk therapy throughout my life yet was always left feeling hopeless as my emotional state and behaviors never seemed to improve. Last year I came upon an article about ART therapy and connected with my provider, Vickie Alston. This therapy and my sessions with Vickie have been truly life changing. The dark cloud of depression that was hanging over me lifted after only a couple sessions and my relationships with my husband and children have improved dramatically. I am very thankful for finding a way out of the darkness that had followed me around for as long as I can remember. I finally feel like I have found a therapy that works.

I have been in 12 step recovery for the last 30+ years and I have done so many different things to help myself recover from the trauma of my childhood. I reached out to Vickie for the retreat intending to do IFS work. I took a chance on the ART because I was desperate to have the triggering from leaders at work to go away. I am a 51 year old woman, director of a library and I have raised 2 emotionally intelligent, securely attached adults. I am in a securely attached marriage with an amazing man and our relationship has evolved and grown a lot over the last 20 years but I had NOT been able to figure out how to heal from the trauma wounds of my childhood that triggered me at work. I have to admit, I was skeptical because I have been at this work for many years and I understand a lot about recovery and I have a ton of self-awareness. I did know that if it was up to my analytical brain to figure this out and get rid of it, it would have happened by now. So, I did my best to let go (Vickie is so good) and trust the process. I was in awe at how my own brain, creativity, and imagination came up with images to heal itself. I am a very spiritual person, my higher power has led me and guided me to all kinds of paths that I now see were just the right ones. I can honestly say that this is the case for how I got to Vickie and ART. That wisdom is powerful and I am so glad I trusted it because it changed my life. It helped me get to the source of my triggers of my complex PTSD (developmental/childhood trauma) and I now have images that change how I feel about myself in relation to my superiors. I am now pursuing a second master’s degree for a second career, as a therapist so that I can learn ART and help others like me heal from trauma. Thank you Vickie and thank you to Laney for creating ART.

1. What would you like to share about the primary issue(s) that you came to the ART Retreat to resolve?

My main goal in coming to ART Retreat was to heal my anxiety/fear that I felt was holding me back in my daily life.

2. What interventions have you tried in the past to help with the issue(s)?

I tried CBT therapy and other modalities, however outside of sessions I found myself continuing to struggle with anxiety.

3. How did the ART Retreat compare in regard to the ability to decrease symptoms or resolve the symptoms that are related to the issue(s)?

What I gained from the ART Retreat was a deeper level of awareness, acceptance and a new sense of peace in my self. It’s like I have a new pair of eyes and finally, I can see the world outside of fear.

4. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes. I think a huge part of this experience was possible because of the connection I was able to build with Vickie. She made me feel safe, heard, and most importantly, seen. I am so grateful that our paths aligned and I was able to have such a lovely and caring person be with me along my journey.

1. What would you like to share about the primary issue(s) that you came to the ART Retreat to resolve?

To process some childhood trauma and cope with a toxic narcissist relationship that ending badly

2. What interventions have you tried in the past to help with the issue(s)?

Self help books & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

3. How did the ART Retreat compare in regard to ability to decrease symptoms or resolve the symptoms
that are related to the issue(s)?

I was finding it hard to function before doing the ART Retreat and nothing seemed to be helping. I was STUCK. I was already starting to notice a difference in my body and mind after the second day of ART Therapy. My body was less tense and the vivid scenes and feelings that once took me over daily were decreased significantly or resolved completely by the end of the Retreat.

4. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I am so grateful for finding Vickie and the ART Retreat. Vickie’s kind spirit made me feel validated, safe,
and hopeful for my future.

If I could give 10 stars I would!!!!

My life has changed and the old memories were given a new perspective. I can Not say enough about my experience! A 1-1 time for you to take care of you. This experience was mind blowing and so comfortable!!!

I did an intensive retreat with Vickie that utilized ART therapy, and I’ll start by saying that many of the testimonials I read before my retreat sounded legitimately too good to be true, much like the title of the creator of ARTs book on the therapy (Too Good to Be True? By Laney Rosenzweig) and I was slightly skeptical. I felt like I had “tried everything” and was a bit nervous to fail at achieving those same results from the reviews I had seen. But doing this retreat with Vickie was nothing short of remarkable- it was freakishly effective and life altering in the best way, and I would recommend this experience to anybody in a heartbeat- but especially to people who have tried many other types of therapy over the years only to remain “stuck” in whatever their specific circumstances may be. Also, to people who enjoy structure, science, and a goal for their therapy- even if that goal is somewhat nebulous at first.

Vickie is a magnificent therapist and clinician, and anyone who gets to work with her is so fortunate. She’s such a generous, kind, and wonderful person and she puts her all into this experience for clients. I will forever be grateful for her. And I will forever be grateful to Laney Rosenzweig, the creator of ART, for her amazing brain, dedication, and passion that has allowed for ART not only to be available at all, but especially in the context of an intensive retreat. I feel renewed, genuinely. If you asked me a month ago if I’d be leaving a review like this after the retreat, I would have been cautiously optimistic- yet a bit skeptical like I said above. However, I mean every word of this with every fiber of my being.

I am genuinely astonished by the results I had- since the retreat I have spoken in ways about myself, my future, and my capabilities that I haven’t heard come out of my mouth in years, or ever. My capacity for self compassion and compassion for others, my trust in myself, and joy I wasn’t sure would ever come back have increased dramatically. Those closest to me have said I sound different, and notice the huge changes that I do too. Relationships that were already great have somehow gotten even better. My startle response is all but gone, I don’t have anxiety in cars, I have energy that had been gone for years, and I’ve felt truly present for the first time in ages. Things feel possible, and I have found confidence I had believed was lost forever. I’ve had little moments of having tears of gratitude and awe no less than 20 times since the middle of the retreat and it ended ten days ago.I think the most wild result, though, is that my crushing PMDD symptoms have not shown up at all, where they typically did like clockwork every two weeks and should have ten days ago. Now, am I saying my life is suddenly perfect? Most certainly not. But I am saying that with old traumas having been processed in this manner, in addition to the myriad individual positive changes I’ve noticed I now also feel equipped for life ups and downs in a way that I never have before. Life used to really scare me, and now it feels like a blessing and also something that I can handle when it hits the fan.

A quote from Laney’s book says, “To experience the therapy is to know it is real, and to see someone you love having been healed thanks to ART is to know it is real.” and this statement could not be more true for me. Thank you so very much to everyone involved in this process, this was the most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done for myself.

Was a life-changing experience for me. Thank you for providing this service.

I loved my session with Vickie. It was amazing and transformative. I have grown emotionally and in my mental health. Since the retreat, I was able to make some difficult decisions that I had been struggling with for a while. I feel more positive and empowered to take charge of my life and make positive, healthy changes. I loved Vickie so much, I saw her again at the beginning of May. I am a huge fan of ART therapy. Vickie pours her heart into every session and her passion for her work shines through tremendously. I was also provided many resources to continue my growth. Thank you Vickie, you are amazing!

1. What would you like to share about the primary issue that you came to the Accelerated Resolution Therapy retreat to resolve?

Childhood issues still affecting adulthood, medical trauma, family addiction and coping skills to be able to live with someone who is still causing trauma.

2. What interventions have you tried in the past to help?

Talk-Therapy, Marriage Therapy, speaking with Addiction Counselors, Gottman Marriage Retreat.

3. How did the Accelerated Resolution Therapy retreat compare in regard to ability to decrease symptoms that are related to the issue?

Resentments, Anger and Confusion are no longer there. Clarity is still there on the actual events that caused resentments, but anger doesn’t consume every moment. I’m particularly impressed at my current ability to not react to those trying to get a reaction from me, as well as my ability to give my kids the daily tools to handle situations.

My family is seeing a huge difference in my calmness — and what I love — Is that they are matching my energy! It’s radiating throughout generations, because one person was impacted from ART.

4. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love how much ART is paving the discussion in my extended family. Taking the discussion of getting help beyond just “getting help,” but what kind of help will be the most successful and why.

Taking the extended time (5-Day) was absolutely necessary to get the mind in a better place for success. I questioned whether or not I needed it, but what I worked through on Day-5 brought it all together. It’s hard to fathom how a successful ART could work within a 1-Hour session.

My ART Therapist (Vickie) brought a theme to what we were trying to accomplish overall that continuously grounded me and carries me day to-day chaos back home. 4 Kids, full time job, and back to 100% at 5am the morning after treatment. But Accelerated Resolution Therapy gave me tools to be able to react to that abruptness with calm in the chaos. It can only be viewed as: Clarity in the Chaos. It no longer feels like the glass is full of stress and each additional drop of water will send larger amounts spilling over.

1. What would you like to share about the primary issue(s) that you came to the ART Retreat to resolve?

My life hasn’t been a life of overwhelming and horrific trauma, but over the course of my life, a series of events added up to a serious traumatic experience.

2. What interventions have you tried in the past to help with the issue(s)?

I have tried traditional ‘talk’ therapy, but I never made any significant strides. A lot of discussing the same issues over and over with little results.

3. How did the ART Retreat compare in regard to ability to decrease symptoms or resolve the symptoms that are related to the issue(s)?

The ART retreat was an incredible experience. I was able to rewrite the events of my life in a more positive way. Being able to take an event from the past that has supported a ‘story’ in my mind and rescript it to lessen its impact on how I look at that event or how that event feels inside is extraordinary.

4. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Since the ART retreat I have often thought back to the ‘negative’ scenes of my life and what I remember most about those old events or scenes is that what I rescripted is what I remember the most. The old negative feelings have disappeared. Even when thinking about the details to those older events I no longer feel the same way about them. The new ‘rewritten’ versions prevail. Amazing!

I hope this helps Vickie. Thank you, again, for you patience. Most importantly thank you for your guidance and determination when working with me!

1. What would you like to share about the primary issue(s) that you came to the ART Retreat to resolve?

I am a clinical psychologist who has been dealing with anxiety, secondary trauma and attachment issues for a long time. My issues affected my personal relationships and led to an overall dissatisfaction with my life. After my divorce of 42 years and a second break-up, I knew I needed to do something on an intensive basis. I needed to face my wounds, I needed to revisit my story. Everyone has one.

2. What interventions have you tried in the past to help with the issue(s)?

I was involved in therapy throughout my separation from my ex-wife and during the first year of my divorce. But it wasn’t until I determined to commit all of my time and resources to working on me that therapy began to make a difference.

3. How did the ART Retreat compare in regard to ability to decrease symptoms or resolve the symptoms that are related to the issue(s)?

While at my personal ART retreat, I revisited my entire life from birth to present which allowed themes in my life to surface. No, I didn’t change any memories, I didn’t change any past events. But I did change implicit memories, my beliefs that I thought were facts. And now I am able to let go, to let the past be, and this has freed me to pursue my life on my terms.

4. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Since ART, I continue in therapy, I continue to work and I continue to love and I’ve left my anxiety behind. I am in a relationship that brings me peace, I am closer to my world. I feel like me again.

First and foremost Thank you. Thank you for science, thank you for giving me my life back, thank you for opening up a world for me that I had no knowledge of ever experiencing.

When I was searching for a therapy that would help me with my PTSD, depression and anxiety I expected something like what I had experienced over the last 10 years. Talk therapy and even a stay in a treatment facility that I felt might help me. Though I took some small steps forward I was still so far away from my goal of feeling whole and at peace. Being 64, all I wanted was to live life with some joy and happiness. What I wanted and what I had achieved fell very short of these hopes and wishes.

What I found was you Laney and you Vickie and ART. When I first watched your TED talk and saw the parent store it struck such a deep emotion in me that I teared up. It’s imperative to know that I learned from earliest childhood that crying had deep consequences and I almost never even felt that urge. I wanted a new parent more than anything I could imagine.

So I read the ART website completely, twice over! I heard you say, Laney, that science was the key and as Vickie will confirm, I am all about the science. I watched every video, TED talk and read every study done on ART, and found a ray of hope. Vickie, your videos spoke to me and I made plans to do the 5-day retreat. I almost didn’t go because I was afraid that if this failed my lifeline would be dashed and my future dark.

What I found was astonishing and beyond anything I could have hoped for. All of my deepest and darkest traumas, physical, psychological and sexual could be reframed and put in their place. As I saw in the TED talk, I know the facts but I don’t have the trauma that I had been carrying my whole life and even more amazing I realized how much I have accomplished and would never had made these choices without the trauma. As I told Vickie. I am the strongest person I know. Both of you gave me this. The knowledge and understanding that I am not just the sum of my PTSD, I AM PTG (post traumatic growth).

The physical and psychological gifts that I have in my toolbox leave me breathless. I am still walking around above the ground. When I finally realized a new emotion that I had never felt and named it peace, I could for the first time in my life be truly happy and whole.

I will be shouting ART’s praises as often and as loud as I can to anyone who will hear and listen. If there is anything I can do as a successful recipient of this amazing science, all you need to do is ask.

So I don’t go on and write my own soliloquy, let me just say again thank you for developing ART and sharing it with me and Vickie thank you for your compassion and caring and I will always remember, neurons that fire together wire together!