Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

Integration: When Science and Soul Are Not in Conflict

Science and spirituality aren’t opposites. They’re allies. After 20 years as a trauma therapist, I’ve learned real healing happens when we stop forcing them to compete. Here’s why integration changes everything

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

You Don’t Have to Suffer to Heal: Rethinking What Effective Therapy Looks Like

Most people think healing has to be hard to be real. That if you’re not suffering, you’re not doing it right. But the truth is, therapy doesn’t have to hurt to work. In fact, the idea that struggle equals worthiness is often what keeps us stuck. Let’s talk about why; and how approaches like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) can help you heal without reliving the pain.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

Why Google Reviews Aren’t the Best Way to Find a Therapist (and What to Do Instead)

You searched “therapist near me”… but did the right ones even show up?
Let’s talk about what those five-star ratings don’t tell you. In this post, I’m spilling the tea about reviews, ethics, and how search engines prioritize visibility over real alignment.

If you’re a client looking for meaningful care, or a therapist wondering how to stay ethical in a system that rewards popularity, this one’s for you.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

Why ART Helps Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start

One of the most common things I hear from people before they start Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is:

"I don’t even know where to start."

And my response? You don’t have to.

In fact, one of the reasons I love ART so much is that it works even when you don’t have a clear story or specific memory in mind. You don’t need to come in with your whole trauma history mapped out. You don’t have to explain every emotion you’ve been feeling. You just have to be willing to explore what’s showing up in your body and mind right now.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

The Science Behind Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Let’s talk a little bit about the science behind trauma and why Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) actually works.

If you’ve ever wondered why some things still bother you even after years of therapy, or why your body reacts even when your mind says, “I’m fine,” you’re not alone. That’s the tricky part about trauma, it doesn’t just live in our thoughts. It lives in our nervous system.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

What To Expect In An ART Session

So you’ve heard about Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and you’re wondering what actually happens in a session. First of all, it’s totally normal to feel a little unsure or even nervous before trying something new, especially something that’s different from traditional talk therapy. I want to walk you through what to expect so you can feel more grounded and comfortable walking into your first session.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

EMDR vs ART: What’s the Deal?

If you’ve been researching trauma therapy, you’ve probably come across EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It’s been around for a long time, and there’s a good reason for that, it works. I’ve used EMDR with clients, I’m trained in it, and I’ve seen it create meaningful change.

But if you’ve also seen me talk about Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), you might be wondering, “What’s the difference?”

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)?

If you’ve been poking around my site and wondering what exactly Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is, you are not alone. Most people have heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), but don’t realize that ART is similar, with a few key differences. One great thing about ART is that it is effective, it’s fast, and it doesn’t require you to rehash your trauma over and over again.

So let me break it down in a way that’s simple, conversational, and hopefully gives you a clear picture of what ART is and why I use it in my practice.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

Is Perfectionism A Trauma Response?

Perfectionism can form as a survival strategy; carefully spun from early wounds. This post explores how trauma may lie beneath the pursuit of "perfect."

Perfectionism often masks deeper wounds. Discover how it can be a learned survival strategy, and why healing the trauma underneath is key to change.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

How To Treat Perfectionism in Therapy

Healing perfectionism means addressing its deeper roots. Learn how therapy, mindset work, and nervous system support can help you find freedom and peace.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

Do Perfectionists Need Therapy?

Wondering if therapy can help with perfectionism? Explore how counseling can address the pressure, fear, and emotional toll of always needing to be perfect.

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Stephanie Butler Stephanie Butler

What Is Perfectionism?

Perfectionism isn’t just about high standards, it’s about the deep fear of not being enough. This post explores what perfectionism really is, where it comes from, and how to begin softening its grip.

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