How Experiential Therapy Works
This form of therapy utilizes experiential therapy activities to accomplish the goal. Rather than sitting in an office for 45 minutes at a time looking at a therapist, experiential therapy interventions involve movement, action, adventure, and creativity.
Because experiential therapy is based on the notion that the person’s beliefs about the world determine their behavior, this therapy works to reprocess and release unwanted feelings from the past. With these undesirable emotions out of the way, the person will be better able to feel and express wanted feelings like love, acceptance, forgiveness, and relaxation.
Since shame, guilt, doubt, resentment, and anger are common reasons for people to start and continue substance use, limiting these problematic feelings can create better recovery options.
Experiential therapy can also target some underlying feelings and conditions that influence substance use. Experiential therapy can treat a variety of issues like:
- Mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Anger management
- Traumas
- Substance use and addictions
Experiential therapy works by bringing flexibility and individuality to the treatment process. It may be used as a stand-alone treatment, or it can be combined with more traditional, talk therapy options to increase the benefit of both.