There are many types of therapies used in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Traditional therapies, such as behavioral counseling, are sound solutions. However, many newer and more holistic forms of treatment are also taking hold. Experiential therapy is a good example. To learn more about this treatment option, please contact Addiction Rehab Centers today at 844.910.0686.
What Is Experiential Therapy?
Experiential therapy is a holistic therapeutic option that uses various methods to explore the events of your past. In fact, patients who struggled with traumatic events, such as childhood neglect or domestic violence, often find experiential therapy immensely helpful. In general, it helps to release old emotions that are still causing problems.
This type of therapy uses various outlets to help patients explore interactions they’ve had with people from their past. It may include:
- Role-play
- Arts and crafts
- Animal care, such as with horses
- Guided imagery
- Music
Art and equine therapies are good examples of experiential treatment modalities. These forms of treatment are soothing, and they allow patients to explore their creative personalities while, at the same time, exorcising negative feelings from the past.
Many treatment facilities combine experiential therapies with other forms of treatment, including behavioral counseling, nutrition, mindfulness, or group therapy. Often, an integrated plan such as this is highly instrumental in helping patients heal from past trauma.
What Are the Uses for Experiential Therapy?
This form of treatment is used in addiction recovery. However, it’s helpful in other situations as well. It may be used to treat substance use disorders, trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and depression. Generally, whenever hurtful events from the past have resurfaced to cause problems today, experiential therapy may help resolve the situation. Typical applications include the treatment of:
- Eating disorders
- Compulsive behavior
- Grief
- Anger management
- Codependency
In other words, if you or a loved one struggles with addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, or food, this form of therapy could change your life for the better.
Experiential Therapy as Part of an Addiction Treatment Program
If you’re ready to reach out for help to recover from addictive behaviors, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center in your area should be able to help. If you’re considering entering recovery, ask about experiential therapy and how it may help you achieve your goal of lifelong sobriety.
Experiential therapy is based upon perception. By traveling backward, patients learn how to gain a new perspective on old events or situations that have caused them pain.
By revisiting these events in the company of a licensed therapist, they may unlock feelings of forgiveness, release, and acceptance of the present. This is quite beneficial to patients who have spent years feeling victimized or embittered by events that happened long ago. It can bring about an incredible feeling of release that allows the patient to begin living and enjoying the present instead of feeling trapped by the past.
Learn More at Addiction Rehab Centers
Addiction Rehab Centers in Indianapolis, IN, provides an excellent level of behavioral health care for patients who wish to recover from addictive behaviors. Through our unique approach, we focus more on human relationships and less on the 12 steps of recovery. This, in turn, helps our patients develop new, adaptive skills that lead to a higher quality of life.
Our care facility is state-of-the-art, situated on a beautiful, serene campus, surrounded by nature. If you or your loved one is ready to seek respite from the frantic, chaotic life of drug use or alcoholism, we’re a safe place to land.
Contact us today at 844.910.0686 for more information on our experiential therapy program. Similarly, you may visit us online to see all we offer. When you choose Addiction Rehab Centers, you choose a family that genuinely cares about your success. Call today to begin your journey.
