Experiential Therapy
At Origins Recovery Center, we use activity-based interventions and techniques to improve the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of our patients. This work is key in assisting men as they develop the knowledge, life-skills, and behaviors that support healthy recovery.
What is Experiential Therapy?
Experiential therapy is a therapeutic technique that utilizes activity-based interventions to restore physical and psychological health, well-being, and recovery. This active form of therapy is an effective treatment methodology for addiction which can break down the barriers to sustained recovery and help a person heal: body, mind, and spirit.
TREATMENT MODALITIES
Through the group experience, patients at Origins Recovery Center are given the opportunity to challenge themselves and stretch the limits of their own abilities. This experiential form of therapeutic intervention allows a peer-group of men explore their own opportunities for mental, emotional, and physical growth. Through experiential therapy, our patients confront their fears and build the confidence needed to recover.
How Do Men Benefit From Experiential Therapy?
As a result of societal stigma and social expectations, men may not connect with their emotions as readily as women. This active form of therapy can help men reach within themselves for new solutions to complex emotional problems. Studies show that experiential therapy provides positive health outcomes for people of all ages and backgrounds. This includes men with behavioral or psychiatric disorders, those who suffer from a “failure to launch” into adulthood, as well as those impacted by addiction.
Common disorders and symptoms treated through experiential therapy include:
- Addiction and substance use disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
- PTSD and trauma
- Attention deficit disorders
- Personality disorders
Key areas of focus during experiential therapy groups include:
- Stress and anger management
- Healthy coping strategies
- Teamwork and leadership training
- Development of an active lifestyle
- Emotional processing
- Reducing isolation
- Increased sense of self-worth and self-esteem
- Positive community interaction
- Building healthy relationships
- Deepening the spiritual connection
Our Therapies
Our Wellness Coordinator provides a wide array of group activities, including:
- Problem-solving initiatives
- Outdoor pursuits
- Trust activities
- Cooperative games
- Beach experiences
How Do Experiential Therapies Differ From More Traditional Therapies?
Experiential therapy embraces a definition of health which transcends the mere absence of “illness,” or in this case, addiction. It extends to encompass all areas of emotional, physical, cognitive, and social development. Our goal is to help each patient find an abundant life of purpose and meaning. The unique feature of experiential therapy that makes it different from other modalities is the use of strategies and interventions that involve the entire body in the therapeutic process. This means working within the bounds of each patient’s physical abilities and helping them mindfully connect to themselves and the world around them. Therapists who use an experiential framework have a unique perspective and can incorporate teamwork into the process of recovery in a way that is meaningful and relevant. Our wellness coordinators and therapists weave the concept of healthy, active living into each treatment plan in order to enhance health, independence, and successful involvement in all aspects of life.