At Invictus Health Group, experiential therapy is used to help patients recover from a substance use disorder (SUD) or a mental health disorder. This therapy endeavors to address concealed or subliminal issues with the help of real-life experience tools like props, re-enactment, and guided imagery. As opposed to regular talk and listen approach in other therapies, experiential therapy addresses the thought process and the belief systems of the patient.
Experiential therapy is an expressive therapeutic modality which makes use of art, music, props, animals, etc., to re-enact the experiences of the past. This psychotherapy enables a person to identify emotions linked with success, responsibility, disappointment, and self-esteem. Under the mentorship of a trained therapist, one can begin exploring and releasing negative feelings of anger, shame, and hurt of the past, blocked before the therapy was initiated.
Experiential therapy is often used to manage trauma, anger, multiple types of physical and behavioral addictions, grief and loss recovery, compulsive habits such as gambling and in substance abuse treatment. It is also useful for people grappling with feelings of pain, embarrassment, etc., from their past experiences. This therapy can help people get rid of their baggage and start anew. Experiential therapy is offered to an individual in clinical settings where it is provided in conjunction with other forms of therapies, like talk therapy.
By undertaking experiential therapy under the guidance of a certified therapist, it is possible for an individual to uncover repressed feelings of pain, regret, guilt, anger, and shame that have been unconsciously affecting them since long. It is also possible to reflect on the experiences and make one’s own choices and decisions. The therapist would emphasize on the mindfulness and insights of what one feels through these interventions, and helps one explore the meaning of their emotions. Conversations with the therapist may take place while engaged in an activity or in private counseling sessions.
Different types of experiential therapy are:
Oftentimes, people in early recovery do not enjoy what they are doing. At Invictus Heath Group, we ensure that a patient has fun throughout the therapy session. We encourage our patients to enjoy local cultural heritage. We also help them get engaged in extra activities like fishing, hiking, biking, beach trips, etc., so that they can relive their past experiences and reconnect with themselves.
Art therapy encourages a patient to explore various forms of designs, expressions, and colors helping them express their innermost feelings. This can greatly improve self-understanding. Patients are encouraged to express themselves more productively which is an integral element of recovery.
Yoga is an ancient method of exercise used to balance and integrate the mind, body, and soul. It basically comprises stretching, breathing, and isometric/isotonic exercises. It has been found to be effective in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders.
In addition to the therapies described above, there are other types of experiential therapies that involve music and dance. These activities help patients build self-confidence, social skills, and foster relationships that last a lifetime.
Invictus Health Group’s behavioral health center is a leader in treating substance abuse, mental health disorders and co-occurring disorders. We use a diverse variety of treatment modalities and experiential therapies to help our patients combat mental disorders and addiction issues, discovering themselves in the process.
To know more about how our treatment interventions, administered by our experienced team of licensed clinicians and therapists, can help you or a loved one in their mental health and substance abuse treatment program, call our 24/7 helpline 866-548-0190 and speak with an admission counselor today. You can even chat online with a representative for further assistance.
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