• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Experiential Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Work?

February 3, 2021 Posted by grant Addiction, Recovery
Man painting on a canvas.

Painting is just one form of experiential therapy that can be used to help people struggling with addiction.

Addiction is complex and multi-factored. So is its treatment. One method often incorporated into the treatment plan for substance use disorder is experiential therapy. Here’s a closer look at this therapeutic technique and how it can fit into treatment and recovery.

About Experiential Therapy

Experiential therapy uses a variety of expressive tools that allow patients to recreate past experiences in order to become more aware of their subconscious emotions, attitudes, and beliefs, according to Psychology Today.

While cognitive behavioral therapy, another form of therapy used in addiction treatment, works to uncover the thoughts behind a person’s decisions, experiential therapy dives deeper into past experiences.

Experiential therapy may include a number of different techniques, such as music, role-playing, acting, animal care, guided imagery, and other activities all aimed at helping patients get in touch with their feelings. Performed under the direction of a trained experiential therapist, experiential therapy can help patients process their emotions toward releasing negative feelings, which may be interfering with their recovery. It is especially suitable for people who may have a hard time talking about their issues openly with a therapist.

Experiential therapy is used for treating a number of different conditions, including trauma, behavior disorders, anger management, eating disorders, grief and loss, physical and behavioral addictions, and substance abuse. It’s often performed in clinical and medical settings, including in rehabilitation programs in conjunction with other techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and group therapy.

Woman sitting with a therapist.

A qualified experiential therapist can help guide addicts to better understand their feelings and emotions.

The Power of Perception

According to Psychology Today, “A fundamental premise of experiential therapy is that one’s perception determines one’s behavior. By re-experiencing and releasing repressed negative emotions from the past, the client is better able to experience positive feelings such as love, forgiveness, and calm in the present, changing their perception of reality.”

Because experiential therapy encompasses a broad range of tools, it may differ from person to person and from program to program. It is inherently client-centered, meaning that while one person may benefit from animal-assisted therapy, art may be more suitable for someone else. However, all have the same goal: to help people better access their own inner thoughts and emotions in order to be able to reflect on them and to learn from them.

Experiential therapy is an effective treatment for many people struggling with addiction. It has been proven to have significant benefits for helping to facilitate psychological health and wellness. However, as with all treatments, it should be performed by a licensed and trained clinician with experience in the approach. Seeking out a reputable and certified treatment center is the best way to ensure that you’re working with a trained and credentialed experiential therapist.

Experiential therapy is not a substitute for other forms of treatment for substance use disorder. Rather, it is a complementary tool that can be used alongside other methods, such as medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol, experiential therapy can be an effective way to identify and move past underlying emotions which can impede recovery. Leading St. Louis area rehabilitation center, Harris House, has been providing targeted addiction treatment programs for more than 50 years. Call us today to learn about admissions.

Share
0

About grant

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
grant has contributed 289 entries to our website, so far.View entries by grant

    You also might be interested in

    Hope for Recovery is Alive!

    Apr 2, 2016

    There is always hope, and always an opportunity for you[...]

    Growing Gratitude in the Garden of Your Mind

    Apr 19, 2016

    You don’t have to pretend that negative things don’t exist.[...]

    How Trauma Affects the Brain

    Apr 11, 2016

    Psychological trauma occurs when it is not possible to process[...]

    Recent Posts

    • A Guide to Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers
    • What to Look for When Searching for the Right Rehab Facilities in St. Louis
    • The Benefits of a Holistic Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction – The Solution You’ve Been Searching For
    • What to Expect from Your 28-Day Residential Treatment Program
    • The Difference Between Intensive Inpatient Therapy (24-Hour Drug Rehab Centers) and Other Facilities

    Insurance Providers

    Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

    Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

    Credentialing Partners

    Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

    DMH Carf BBB United Way

    Contact Us

    Let your recovery begin

    We're here to help.

    Please reach out with any questions

    CONTACT US

    314-631-4299

    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate

    Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

    Harris HouseHarris House
    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
    About Us
    Treatments
    Resources
    Gallery
    Contact Us
    Donate

    For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals. Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated non-profit treatment center.

    CALL US TODAY

    314-631-4299

    2706 S. River Rd
    St. Charles, MO 63303

    8315 South Broadway
    St. Louis, MO 63111

    © 2023 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

    Prev Next