Experiential therapy is not a new concept. The idea of experiential therapy has been around for decades. However, it’s only recently that the mental health world has begun to take notice and embrace experiential therapy as an effective means to treat addiction and mental illness.
Experiential Therapy centers on helping patients confront their problems head-on through roleplaying, artwork, music, or other methods. It is a type of therapy that allows patients to use expressive tools, activities, and other methods to reenact or recreate specific situations from past, as well as present situations in their lives.
What Does Experiential Therapy Treat
Experiential therapy is now included in many treatment centers programs, including Harm Reduction Center. It provides individuals with the opportunity to analyze negative thoughts as well as emotions that are associated with certain memories or situations. Thus, allowing patients to overcome these difficulties quickly and effectively, as well as in an expressive and fun way.
Some of the disorders and afflictions that this form of therapy can treat are:
- Addiction
- Dual diagnosis
- Trauma
- Family conflict & communication issues
- Eating disorders
- Adolescent behavioral problems
- Mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis
- Chronic medical conditions
- Anger issues
- Grief and loss
Different Types of Experiential Therapy Activities
Experiential therapy means that the patient actively participates and experiences what they are working through. These techniques were first developed in the 1970s. It’s a broad category of therapy that encompasses the following therapeutic practices.
Role Play
Roleplay allows patients to recreate past events. Allowing for a better understanding of the emotions, thoughts, and motivations involved. For example, an addiction patient might role-play with their therapist how they would have reacted if they had been present at a family member’s funeral. All while still actively addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is another form of experiential therapy. This allows patients to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions through the creation or interpretation of art. This can be done with paintings, sculpture, dance movements, collage construction, and other artistic mediums. Thus, helping a patient understand how they see themselves in relation to others.
Breathwork and Meditation
Meditation, as well as breathwork, are experiential therapies that help patients deal with stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other mental illnesses. Breathwork is a type of experiential therapy in which the therapist helps guide the patient through different breathing exercises to achieve specific goals.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is experiential in nature because it allows the patient to express themselves through song. The process can be simple, such as listening to music and sharing their thoughts on how they feel when they listen. Or, a more complex version involving playing an instrument.
Music therapy may include activities such as dance therapy, listening to positive music, or playing with musical instruments to help patients address emotional and cognitive needs.
Adventure
Adventure therapy allows the patient to overcome challenges or fears through the use of outdoor activities. These may include hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and other activities that involve exploring nature. The purpose of experiential therapy is to help the patient improve his or her psychological well-being by working through difficulties in a fun and engaging way.
Experiential Therapy for Addiction Treatment
This therapy technique is now included in many addiction treatment programs to help address some of the behavioral issues that lead to drug or alcohol consumption. If patients are able to practice overcoming triggers and stressors while they still have access to substances, it’s more likely that they will be able to overcome temptation in the future.
When experiential therapy is used as a relapse prevention plan, therapists work with patients on specific activities they can engage in if they start craving drugs or alcohol again. They might also set up a day-to-day schedule of experiential therapies to help them stay sober by practicing different techniques and strategies that allow for expression and a change of scenery.
How Can I Find a Center That Offers Experiential Therapy
Harm Reduction Center is a treatment center in South Florida that offers experiential therapy as part of addiction treatment. Here at HARC, we understand that addiction treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. This is why we offer a variety of treatment options that help people struggling with addiction and mental illness.
If you or a loved one are ready to receive the help needed to change your life for the better, contact Harm Reduction Center today.
