Everyone’s experience with mental health and addiction is deeply personal and unique. Thus, the treatment that is going to be the most effective for one person is not necessarily what will be the best for someone else. It can sometimes take trying different types of options to determine what kind of treatment will benefit someone the most. This is where experiential therapy can be very helpful.
Experiential therapy is a more holistic, therapeutic form of treatment that often involves hands-on experiences. It can be used as an addition to a comprehensive mental health treatment plan. Experiential therapy is not meant to replace traditional forms of treatment like talk therapy. However, it can be incorporated into these forms of treatment.
Options such as art therapy and music therapy are popular forms of this kind of treatment. They allow the individual to access their creative side while accomplishing more immediate goals. This type of treatment can promote a sense of validation and achievement, both of which can boost self-esteem.
At Wisconsin Wellness in Applewood, Wisconsin, we understand that everyone heals in different ways. Thus, we pride ourselves in offering a variety of experimental therapy options. Some of these options include yoga therapy, music therapy, and art therapy.
What Is Experiential Therapy?
Experiential therapy utilizes real work experiences and activities to help an individual process emotions, address psychological disorders, and develop coping mechanisms. It can be used in the process of treating a variety of mental health conditions, substance abuse and addiction, and past trauma. Again, experiential therapy is different from other more traditional forms of therapy.
The primary difference is that it encourages the individual to explore their emotions in different ways, aside from just solely verbal communication. There can be many benefits associated with traditional forms of treatment like talk therapy. However, for some people discussing past trauma and the emotions associated with it can be very difficult. It may even cause them additional trauma.
Alternative treatment options like art therapy and music therapy allow one to explore their emotions without having to talk about them out loud. This can be especially helpful for people who may have difficulty articulating their emotions or who are not yet in a place where they want to discuss them with another person.
How Does Experiential Therapy Work?
Experimental therapy works by helping to provide a better mind-body connection. By taking part in a physical activity, such as playing an instrument or creating a work of art, the individual can explore how their emotions may play into physical sensations. For example, listening to calming music might help them to relieve stress and calm their anxiety. The more an individual learns about how their mind and body are connected, the better they can learn how to regulate emotions and behaviors.
Experiential therapy can also help promote a sense of emotional release and catharsis. For example, painting a picture may help someone release pent-up anger, sadness, or trauma in a way they wouldn’t be able to do through words. This can help them understand their emotions better. It can also help process past experiences and begin to move on.
Who Can Benefit from Experiential Therapy?
Many people can benefit from experiential therapy. It can be especially beneficial for those who have difficulty discussing past trauma or processing their emotions. Experiential therapy can also be beneficial for the following groups of people:
- Those struggling with addiction
- Children, adolescents, or those who might not be old enough to articulate their emotions
- Those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders
- Those struggling with behavioral disorders like oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Couples or families who are struggling to get along
- Those who are in the process of coping with grief
- Individuals with eating disorders
- Those struggling with low self-esteem
- Individuals with a dual diagnosis (for example someone struggling with an alcohol addiction and anxiety disorder simultaneously)
Experiential Therapy for Mental Health
Experiential therapy can be very transformative for those struggling with a wide variety of mental health disorders. Some benefits associated with this type of therapy include:
- The ability to safely express and process emotions
- Reduced avoidance due to being able to comfortably explore elements related to past trauma
- The ability to uncover deeply rooted trauma and emotional pain
- Better mind-body connection
- Improved emotional regulation
- Better coping skills for stress and other negative emotions
- A fresh perspective
- Increased self-esteem
Our Integrated and Evidence-Based Treatment Approach
Experiential therapy allows for a much more versatile approach to therapy. Thus, it can be adapted to best meet the individual’s needs and their unique situation. A treatment provider can work with the individual to come up with a treatment plan that can help address the specific goals they want to accomplish. For example, music therapy and talk therapy can be used together in order to help the individual develop stronger coping mechanisms for stress.
Experiential therapy also allows for a safe space to explore emotions. When many people experience trauma, they may be unable to cope with it. Thus, they may attempt to bury the memories associated with the experience for as long as possible. However, even as time passes, the thoughts, feelings, and emotions associated with the trauma are likely to remain.
The individual may try to avoid people, places, certain activities, and anything that could trigger memories of the traumatic event. While this may be their way of trying to protect themselves from more pain, avoidant behavior can actually stand in the way of healing. Experiential therapy provides a unique way to explore emotions while still allowing the individual to feel in control.
This type of treatment also allows individuals to be proactive and focus on a solution-based approach. When in recovery from addiction or a mental health disorder, it can sometimes be difficult to see the progress that’s taking place. While healing can certainly be taking place, measuring it or tracking it can be a challenge. Experiential therapy can allow for a more physical and concrete way for an individual to take charge of their healing journey.
Finally, experiential therapy allows the individual to learn skills that they can apply to real-world scenarios. For example, when an individual learns that the type of music they listen to can impact their mood, they can use this as an effective coping strategy moving forward. These skills can help prevent relapse for those who are in recovery from addiction. They can also help regulate emotions for those in recovery from certain mood disorders.
Types of Experiential Therapies at Wisconsin Wellness
Some very popular experiential therapies that we utilize at Wisconsin Wellness in Appleton, Wisconsin include art therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a very flexible and dynamic therapeutic approach that can help to treat addiction and a variety of mental health conditions. It involves using art to express and explore emotions, process trauma, and address different mental obstacles. This may involve creating art or viewing and reflecting upon art created by another person. Art therapy can utilize a lot of different mediums and may include:
- Painting
- Sculpting
- Collage
- Coloring
- Drawing/Sketching
Anyone can participate in art therapy. No specific art skills or art background is necessary. This type of treatment can be used to explore deep, complex emotions that the person may not want or know how to express verbally. Everything from the colors, textures, and shapes used may play a role in expressing an emotion or retelling a past event. This can be an especially effective treatment option for a young child who might not have the vocabulary to explain a traumatic memory. Art therapy may be guided by a counselor or be entirely free-formed.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is another popular experiential treatment method that anyone can participate in. Like art therapy, you don’t have to be a skilled musician or have a background in music to benefit from this form of treatment. Music therapy typically involves expressing thoughts or emotions through creating music. This could be through playing an instrument or even writing lyrics to a song.
Music therapy can involve learning how to use music for different purposes. For example, it can used as a way to reduce anxiety and stress, release pent-up emotions, and experience a sense of catharsis. Music is a very powerful tool that can be incorporated into many different aspects of treatment. In many cases, it may be used alongside counseling to help with non-verbal trauma processing.
Music can also be considered an important mood-boosting tool for those in recovery from substance abuse. For example, someone who is in recovery from an alcohol addiction may be used to reaching for a drink whenever they are feeling stressed or sad. While in recovery, they will learn new, healthy, and effective ways to regulate their emotions without alcohol. Music can play an important role in this process.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is another form of experiential therapy that we offer at Wisconsin Wellness. This type of treatment involves learning how to be fully present in the current moment. Many people who struggle with anxiety, stress, and depression, find themselves caught up in worrying about the past or the future. However, mindfulness involves staying focused on the present and the sensations, thoughts, and emotions associated with it.
Mindfulness therapy is often used alongside traditional forms of treatment like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Through counseling, an individual can learn different exercises they can do to help them stay present. This may involve breathing techniques, body scanning meditation, yoga, and other kinds of mindful movement. Some of the many amazing benefits associated with mindfulness therapy include:
- Learning how to respond instead of react
- Increased emotional awareness
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- The ability to break out of negative thought patterns
- Better coping skills
- Increased ability to regulate emotions
- Better emotional resilience
- A greater mind-body connection and understanding of how stress is exhibited physically
Like both music and art therapy, mindfulness therapy can be very empowering, especially for someone going through recovery. Instead of encouraging someone to look outside of themselves to find strength and relief, it teaches them how to utilize skills they already have. For example, learning how to practice proper breathing techniques can quickly relieve anxiety and help to avoid a panic attack. When an individual learns that this is something they have the ability to do all on their own, it can increase their self-confidence.
Experiential Therapies and Community Opportunities
At Wisconsin Wellness, we believe that there is no shortage of life-changing benefits associated with experiential therapy. We offer experiential therapy led by licensed and expert therapists. With their guidance, we believe that our clients can learn important, life-long skills that they can utilize long after they complete treatment. When it comes to experiential therapy, this may involve music or art-related skills.
Taking up a hobby in art or music can provide outlets and opportunities for individuals to become involved in community activities. Community involvement is such an important part of the healing and recovery journey. In the case of those in recovery from addiction, it can even help to prevent relapse. Experiential therapy may help an individual to explore new interests and passions they never knew they had.
They can then utilize those interests and skills in life moving forward. Some examples of this may include:
- Helping another person learn to play an instrument
- Teaching an art class
- Painting a mural in the community
- Playing music at a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare facility
- Using art to raise awareness about local community initiatives
All of these community opportunities can greatly benefit someone in recovery by allowing them a chance to connect with others and experience social support. This can help to prevent isolation and provide a sense of belonging.
Accomplishing Immediate Goals Through Experiential Therapy
Another important benefit of experiential therapy is that it offers an opportunity for individuals to accomplish immediate goals. Doing this can help them to achieve both personal validation and a sense of accomplishment.
These small goals might not seem like huge milestones at first. However, they can make a major difference through time. Some examples of these small goals may include:
- Enhanced self-awareness
- Better ability to cope with stress
- Improved focus and ability to be present
- The ability to reframe negative thoughts
- A greater sense of self-empowerment
- Better sense of creativity
- Stronger empathy and communication skills
- Enhanced conflict-solving abilities
Eventually, these “small-goal” accomplishments make the larger goal of long-term recovery much more mentally accessible.
Is Experiential Therapy Right for You?
You may be wondering if experiential therapy could be the right choice for you. There are very few drawbacks to giving this treatment option a try and seeing how you respond to it. It can especially be a great fit for you if you are looking for a safe space to explore your emotions and engage in self-expression in a non-verbal way. Maybe you’ve already given talk therapy a try and are now looking for a more interactive form of treatment.
At Wisconsin Wellness, we understand that those seeking treatment at our facility come from many diverse backgrounds and unique situations. Because of this, we aim to offer an inclusive treatment program for all those seeking better health and wellness. If you think that experiential therapy may be the hands-on form of treatment that you’ve been looking for, you may benefit from trying this option at our facility.
Getting started is simple. Simply give us a call and a member of our team will tell you more about what different treatment options we have available and how to begin with the enrollment process. Seeking treatment for mental health and/or addiction can be intimidating. However, at our facility, you will be met with only compassion, support, and non-judgment.
When someone is struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, it can be very frustrating when traditional forms of treatment don’t yield the expected results. While options like talk therapy may provide benefits for many people, they may not be the most effective option for everyone else. Because of this, we believe in using traditional forms of treatment alongside more experiential, holistic options. This can help promote better overall healing and growth. If you’re ready to get started, reach out to Wisconsin Wellness today at (920) 404-2100. A member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our treatment program and help you get started on your journey of recovery.