What Is Experiential Therapy?

Experiential therapy is used by therapists to help clients evaluate their personal relationships. It

focuses on treatment of the mind rather than that of the physical body so that individuals can

realize the impact of their relationships on their behaviors. When patients attend Yellowstone

Recovery Orange County treatment centers for drug and alcohol addiction, experiential therapy

may be used as a means to identify negative emotions resulting from their personal relationships

which have led to their addictive behaviors.

How Experiential Therapy Works

Experiential therapy often involves the use of role playing and props for clients to act out their

feelings and their inner visions. This facilitates the awareness of hidden emotions and allows

them to understand their own needs. This comes from reliving their relationships in the past, and

those they are in at the present time, so they can access buried emotions that have a negative

impact on their behavior and the choices that they make today.

People who are in alcohol and drug rehab in Orange County will find experiential therapy

especially beneficial. It is used at Yellowstone Recovery as part of the recovery process,

providing clients with the productive activities they need to fill the time previously used to

search for, obtain, and use addictive substances. Instead of acting on these compulsive behaviors,

the client will spend their time enjoying the friendship and fellowship of others who are now

sober.

Physical activity is often part of experiential therapy as well. This facilitates greater

communication with their loved ones, gives them a greater purpose in life, helps them express

their feelings, and decreases feelings of depression and anxiety. Increasing physical activity can

also increase self-esteem at a time when it is easy to have negative feelings towards oneself.

Activities like softball, yoga, or art therapy also give the person something to do that is fun, a

positive association they need during sobriety in order to recover.

Results of Experiential Therapy

Sharing stories with others about their time on the “dark side” will provide an emotional release

and give the person more hope that they will have a brighter future. Experiential therapy allows

clients to find their own solutions for their addiction and take the steps that they need to recover

and heal. Looking at the negative things that have happened in their past as a result of their

addiction will allow them to create a solution that will help them heal.

Types of Experiential Therapy Offered at Yellowstone Recovery

Today, experiential therapy is at the forefront of addiction treatment. It addresses the differences

between one individual and the next, allowing each person to discover the reasons for their

behavior through the treatment that is best for their specific situation and type of addiction.

Experiential therapy is used after the initial detoxing phase and offers a fun alternative to

negative behaviors. There are a number of types of activities offered at Yellowstone Recovery as

part of their experiential therapy, including:

● Softball

● Puppy Therapy

● Camping Trips

● Music

● Skydiving

● Art Therapy

These activities and others teach clients how to live, and foster a sober lifestyle. In addition,

Yellowstone works in partnership with local businesses to teach patients skills they need to get a

better job and establish themselves within the community. Experiential therapy offers an

important part of comprehensive rehabilitation for alcohol and drug addiction.

Company Bio

Yellowstone Recovery (http://www.yellowstonerecovery.com) offers one of the most affordable

drug treatment centers in California. Their comprehensive range of services provides

individualized treatments to individuals who are addicted to heroin, alcohol, methamphetamine,

cocaine, designer drugs, and prescription drugs. Their services extend to family members who

will learn how to help the addict without becoming an enabler. Both inpatient and outpatient

services are offered.

Source:

1. http://www.yellowstonerecovery.com/program-curriculum/experiential-therapy.aspx

2. http://www.yellowstonerecovery.com