After the Crash: ART for Car Accidents & Driving Anxiety

Written By Matthew Benavidez, LMFT

Why the alarm sticks after an accident

Impact sounds, flashing lights, or a particular intersection can “tag” your brain with danger. Even months later, your body might slam the brakes—heart racing, hands sweating—before your mind can reason with it.

How ART can help

Accelerated Resolution Therapy uses guided eye movements and imagery rescripting to help your brain update the picture of what happened. We target specific moments (the impact, sirens, the tow truck, that merge lane) so the distress drops and driving gradually feels possible again. Results vary.

What a session looks like

  • Target selection: We pick one precise scene/cue for today.

  • Guided sets: I guide eye movements while you notice body/imagery shifts.

  • Rescripting: You’ll replace distressing images with preferred, calming imagery.

  • Stabilize & plan: We end grounded, with next steps you choose.

Gentle return-to-driving plan

  • Start with engine on/parked, then short loops, then your usual route.

  • Pair with a steadying cue (breath cadence, soothing phrase, grounding object).

  • Celebrate small wins (distance driven, intersections passed).

Book a consult
Matthew Benavidez, LMFT

Matthew’s passion for therapy began early on in his life. Working through his own trauma at a young age, Matthew knows what the healing process looks like from all sides. Matthew’s own healing has varied from adjusting through divorced parents all the way to religious trauma. This has helped Matthew become more empathic towards his clients from all walks of life. Rest assured that you will be heard in a secure, shame-free environment.

https://benavidezlmft.com
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