Addiction and mental health are serious issues that affect just about everyone the world over. Though treatments for addiction have been around for a long time, they are constantly changing and improving to provide a wider scope of coverage and to give affected people the best tools for recovering and regaining control over their lives and desires.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy that encourages patients to confront and explore their emotions through experiences, hence the name. It’s not your typical sit-down-and-talk kind of therapy. Instead, it involves activities like role-playing, guided imagery, and even outdoor adventures. This therapy has shown promising results in treating addiction.
Below we’re going to explore how experiential therapy works, its benefits, and how it’s helping people overcome addiction.
Experiential therapy, in simple terms, is a therapeutic approach that uses experiences to help individuals process and heal from various issues. Rather than sitting in a room and talking endlessly about your feelings, you will participate in activities that express your emotions and thoughts physically.
This form of therapy involves activities that engage the senses, emotions, and body. These activities could range from role-playing and guided imagery to outdoor adventures and expressive arts. The idea is to create a safe environment where individuals can confront their emotions and behaviors head-on.
The beauty of experiential therapy is that it allows you to tap into your subconscious and reveal deeply hidden layers of unresolved issues and emotions, much like peeling an onion. Engaging in these activities will allow you to gain new insights, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and ultimately, foster personal growth.
In the context of addiction, experiential therapy can be particularly effective. It provides a unique way for you to confront your addiction, understand its root causes, and develop strategies to overcome it.
There are several types of experiential therapy used in the treatment of addiction. Let’s dive into some of them:
Art therapy is an addiction treatment where those recovering use creative art-making to express feelings and thoughts that are hard to put into words. This therapy allows you to explore and address issues related to your addiction. Such activity allows you to feel safe and comfortable, especially if you find it difficult to discuss these issues in regular talking therapy sessions. Art therapy benefits people suffering from underlying mental health conditions who may struggle with verbalizing their emotions. Don’t worry if you happen to have no artistic talent whatsoever: the key is a willingness to engage in the process.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a unique type of psychotherapy that’s sometimes used as a complementary therapy for addiction treatment. EDMR is not a standalone solution but can help people address past trauma and emotional issues that contribute to their addiction.
While conclusions about the effectiveness of EMDR for substance misuse have yet to be determined, research indicates that EMDR can improve addictions such as alcohol, gambling, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, internet, sex, opioids, and tobacco.
Equine therapy, also known as horse-assisted therapy, involves regular interaction and engagement with a horse to meet therapeutic goals. It’s not just about horseback riding, but also about caring for, feeding, and grooming the horses.
Equine therapy helps in addiction treatment by:
Exercise therapy is a form of treatment that uses physical activity to help individuals overcome addiction. It’s not just about getting fit or losing weight, but about using exercise as a tool to heal both the body and the mind.
Exercise therapy helps by:
Some good exercises for people in recovery treatment include walking and running, yoga, and strength training. But remember, the type of exercise that works best can vary from person to person.
Yoga therapy is a mindful physical activity that helps individuals deal with stress, and it’s especially vital for individuals involved in addiction and recovery. It uses mental and physical techniques to target the part of the brain that was affected by a substance use disorder and helps to reduce drug cravings.
Here’s how it works:
The effectiveness of Yoga therapy increases when it’s used with other addiction treatment methods. While yoga can help create mindfulness and stress-reduction skills, it’s also important for people in recovery to address other issues that can lead to a relapse.
Adventure therapy is a form of psychotherapy that combines nature, community, and daring exercises for therapy. It’s designed to improve an individual’s physical, social, spiritual, and psychological well-being through the healing power of the wilderness with evidence-based, experiential therapy, recreational activities, and wilderness expeditions.
Activities you can expect to participate in during adventure therapies include Kayaking, Rock climbing, Caving, White water rafting, Paddleboarding, Bushwalking, Swimming, Camping, Canoeing, Rafting, Snow camping, and Skiing.
Music therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses music to assist an individual in their treatment. It’s not just about listening to music or playing an instrument, but about using music as a tool to heal both the body and the mind.
Active music-making, as well as music listening, has been shown to activate the dopaminergic pathways similarly to many illicit substances. This response may reduce cravings and improve mood. Listening to music calms the parasympathetic nervous system which leads to an increasingly relaxed state while decreasing anxiety.
Drama therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses drama and theater techniques to help people resolve conflicts and problems. Instead of just getting on stage and performing for an audience, you explore your feelings and experiences in a new way.
Empowering activities utilized in drama therapies include Role-playing, Storytelling, Mirror exercises, Theatre games, Improvisation, and Drama exercises.
Experiential therapy is all about learning through experience, rather than by yapping. It is beneficial because it will help you:
While experiential therapy can be a powerful tool in the treatment of addiction, it’s not without its limitations. A few of those limitations are:
First Steps Recovery, located in Clovis, Fresno County, is a fully licensed and accredited addiction treatment facility. We offer a full spectrum of care and are committed to the safety, comfort, and success of every resident who comes to us.
One of the innovative approaches we use in our treatment programs is experiential therapy, which includes a variety of therapies that are both evidence-based and holistic. We understand that addiction affects more than just the people who are addicted. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing information to loved ones on how they can help their addicted family members as well as themselves.
Our experiential therapy offerings include:
Each of these therapies provides a unique way for individuals to confront their addiction, understand its root causes, and develop strategies to overcome it.
So, if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, First Steps Recovery might be a good place to start. We provide all our clients with the resources they need to sustain a life without drugs and alcohol and recover from addiction. Contact us today to begin your recovery journey and learn how to enjoy life again.
From our certified therapists and nurses to our emotional support animal "Cooper", our entire team is dedicated to the health and success of our clients throughout our program and beyond.
During individual and group therapy sessions, clients will interact with licensed and trained counselors to work through underlying issues that may be contributing to their drug or alcohol addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (also known as CBT) has been clinically proven to help clients with a wide range of problems, including substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (or DBT) is another common form of talk therapy that is found in many substance abuse treatment programs.
During trauma-informed therapy sessions, clients are able to talk with a specialist who accounts for their past trauma and the way it may have affected their thinking, behavior, and ability to interact with treatment.
Brainspotting is a type of alternative therapy that utilizes spots in a person's field of vision in order to help them process trauma.
Neuro Feedback is a type of noninvasive therapy that helps clients to alter the way their brain responds to certain types of stimuli.
Family counseling is one of the best ways to reconnect with family members who are affected by addiction and mend the relationship between a client and their family.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a therapeutic treatment designed to help clients process trauma.
Dayatra L.
Melissa B.
Bruce G.
Have questions about how our alumni program works? Let's talk.
© 2024 First Steps Recovery | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved.
Have questions about First Steps Recovery? We're here to help.
© Copyright 2023 • First Steps Recovery • All Rights Reserved