Experiential therapy uses hands-on activities to aid skill development, mind-body awareness, and emotion regulation, among other benefits. It can be used to address trauma and other mental health concerns. While talk therapy is highly advantageous for those who are working to overcome the effects of trauma, experiential therapy can be a supportive and transformative addition to the therapy process.
At Roaring Brook Recovery, our team is passionate about the quality of care we provide. We use experiential therapies for treating trauma as a part of our comprehensive treatment programs for mental health, addiction, and dual diagnosis disorders.
Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma
There is more than one type of experiential therapy. Experiential therapies for treating trauma you may have heard about include:
- Art therapy.
- Music therapy.
- Outdoor activities (e.g., hiking, nature walks, rock climbing, water-based activities).
- Drama therapy (also called psychodrama).
- Equine-assisted therapy.
- Somatic therapy.
Typically, these are used alongside other treatments for mental health concerns like trauma. While they may not be what you think of when you picture getting therapy for trauma, experiential therapy activities can play a very important role in the healing process for a lot of people.
How Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma Are Used at Roaring Brook Recovery
As for how experiential therapies for treating trauma are used at Roaring Brook Recovery, it is important to us that they are applied alongside the clinical foundation of our programs. We use experiential therapy for trauma as part of a whole-person approach. So, during an average week of treatment, you might participate in group therapy sessions, an individual therapy session, family therapy, and one or more experiential therapy activities. However, this depends on your program, the day of the week, and your personal treatment plan.
Our Programs
Roaring Brook Recovery offers multiple levels of care, including partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) treatment schedules. Our programs include, but aren’t limited to:
Mental Health Treatment
Roaring Brook Recovery provides mental health treatment in Lexington, KY, for people facing mental health concerns like trauma and trauma disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are combined with experiential therapies, such as art therapy or breathwork, so that clients can develop a broad set of skills, insights, and strategies.
Addiction Treatment Services
Some clients seeking help for trauma will also have a substance use disorder. In fact, it is very common that trauma and addiction co-occur. Trauma can make people more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders. Our addiction treatment services in Kentucky provide care for people with standalone substance use disorders as well as dual-diagnosis clients who experience concerns like trauma and addiction simultaneously.
Call Roaring Brook Recovery to Learn More About Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma
Roaring Brook Recovery is a trusted addiction and mental health treatment center in Kentucky. Our programs are always adapting to fit the needs of our clients, and they are covered by most forms of insurance. Call Roaring Brook Recovery to learn more about experiential therapies for treating trauma for yourself or a loved one today at (866) 797-4256.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the definition of experiential therapy?
Experiential therapy is widely defined as an approach that uses hands-on or direct experiences. It is an umbrella term that encompasses multiple types of therapy. For example, art therapy, music therapy, and adventure therapy.
What are the benefits of experiential therapies for treating trauma?
There are many benefits of experiential therapy for treating trauma. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Interpersonal skills: Since experiential therapy activities are often conducted in a group setting, they give you the opportunity to use communication, teamwork, and other social or interpersonal skills. Often, trauma survivors find that their relationships with other people and the world are impacted. In turn, the chance to practice these skills can be highly rewarding.
- Confidence and self-esteem: Experiential therapy can expose you to situations you may not otherwise encounter. For example, situations that require problem-solving skills. It gives you the chance to learn new things and see that you are capable in real-life situations, promoting confidence and self-esteem.
- Healthy coping mechanisms: Many experiential therapy activities can be used as healthy coping mechanisms in your daily life. For example, you might find that outdoor activities help you relieve stress, or that art projects give you the chance to express your emotions in a productive way.
- Focusing on the present: By engaging in hands-on activities, clients in experiential therapy for trauma are encouraged to focus on the present moment.
People often find that experiential therapies for treating trauma are an enjoyable part of the therapy process. Since there’s more than one type of experiential therapy, some of the benefits found in research can depend on the specific activities or type of experiential therapy used.
Is experiential therapy a type of group therapy?
In many cases, experiential therapies are used in group settings. However, this is not always the case. Experiential therapy approaches can also be used in individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy sessions.
Who are your experiential therapists?
Our experiential therapists are mental health professionals licensed to practice in the state of Kentucky. The mental health professionals at our center have unique backgrounds and areas of speciality, including experiential therapies like art therapy.
How does combining talk therapy and experiential therapy help trauma survivors?
Combining talk therapy and experiential therapy means that trauma survivors can get the benefits of both types of treatment. We provide individualized treatment plans for clients, which include multiple types of therapy (e.g., individual therapy sessions and groups, including experiential therapies conducted in a group setting).