Healing Medical Trauma & Health Anxiety with ART



What is medical trauma?

Procedures, ICU stays, ER events, painful diagnostics, and difficult news can leave images and sensations that “stick.” Even routine follow-ups can spike heart rate and dread.



How ART supports healing

We focus on the exact images/body sensations that light up your alarm—monitors beeping, a needle, the smell of antiseptic, the ride to the hospital—and use ART’s eye-movement sets and imagery rescripting to reduce the “heat.” You stay in control and decide how much detail to share.



Session flow

  1. Stabilize & plan

  2. Target specific moments or cues

  3. Guided sets + rescripting

  4. Check distress; return to calm

  5. Leave with simple aftercare steps



Coordinated care (if you want it)

With your permission, we can align with medical providers or build a prep routine for upcoming procedures (arrival plan, grounding objects, statements that steady you).



Aftercare & daily supports

  • Hydration, gentle movement, brief journaling

  • Practice the new calming image before appointments

  • Bring a supportive person if helpful

Learn more


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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When Talk Isn’t Enough: ART + IFS (Parts Work)

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Calm the Alarm: How ART Helps with Phobias & Panic