Experiential therapy involves role playing, props, arts & crafts, music, animal care, guided imagery or recreational therapy. As clients practice these activities and through the experience, begin to identify emotions related to success, disappointment, responsibility, and self-esteem.
Activities can help create a safe way for clients and therapist to work through negative and intense emotions and start to release them.
As a client focuses on the activity or task at hand, the therapist might talk with them about how the experience makes them feel. This process identifies specific actions which helps the client understand their emotions that are attached to specific behaviors.
An example of an experiential technique used in family therapy would be to have each family member draw their family and then discuss the drawing with each other. The use of art therapy in this manner may draw out dynamics or information in families that otherwise would not be talked about in a session.
A clinician may guide young adults in writing and playing music in music therapy, or drawing in art therapy.
Family members may direct each other in a task while blindfolded; this is a great way to learn about familial communication styles, and how families deal with frustration, anger, and disappointment or how they may or may not work together to achieve a goal.
Dynamics emerge in experiential therapy and then can be addressed in real time with the therapist in a supportive environment.
Sandstone Care provides age specific care for those who struggle with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. We have treatment centers throughout the United States.
Sandstone Care aims to drive positive lasting change in real people. We understand that you have a life, so we offer a more personal experience than you would find anywhere else.
Our commitment to our clients’ lasting success and recovery helps us continually exceed licensing standards of care throughout the industry.
Movement plays an important role in learning, as well as releasing stress. Experiential therapy for young adults promotes community, team-building, and deeper relationships with one’s peers.
When used in family therapy, it can uncover unspoken rules about how a person fits in the family, the roles each member plays, and work to enact positive change in dynamics, communication, and coping skills.
In Motivational Interviewing, the therapist listens and helps to guide the client towards achieving their goals. This style of communication is frequently used to treat substance abuse because it helps resolve insecurities and find internal motivation needed to change behavior.
The four tenets applied to treatment help build trust and connection between the patient and the therapist, focusing on areas that may need to be changed and determining the reasons a client may have for changing or holding onto a behavior.
The 4 tenets that are applied to treatment:
Marijuana has become a way to self-medicate for underlying issues and it’s easy to become dependent on its use.
Studies have found that binge drinking & heavy alcohol use are problematic for young people.
Opioid misuse occurs when a person uses heroin or misuses prescription pain relievers like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine.
Commonly abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines, and prescription stimulants, like Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta.
The Continuum of Care
Access a full range of treatments for mental health and substance use disorders. Whether you need a safe transitional living community, inpatient care, or outpatient therapy, we have a program to help.
We understand taking the first step is difficult. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information. We are here to support you in any way we can.
