Unlocking Change: Experiential Family Therapy Techniques

Among the different types of therapy that are used by treatment providers, experiential therapy is undeniably one of the most unique and intriguing. Experiential therapy techniques help clients immerse themselves in therapy through different experiences. These planned experiences are designed in a way to help participants open up to themselves and others, as well as achieve their therapy goals. Experiential therapy offers a variation on traditional therapeutic modalities to ensure teens get the most out of their treatment.

At Ascend, we utilize some of the most unique experiential therapy techniques currently accepted in the field of psychotherapy. This area of therapy is constantly growing, and we strive to use the latest developments, combined with our own unique expertise, to provide experiential therapy experiences that make a difference in a teen’s life. Learn more about our experiential therapy options here!

Effective Experiential Therapy Strategies

The use of experiential therapy is a powerful strategy to add to residential treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Adding experiences outside of talk therapy with a clinician is a welcome change of pace for teens, allowing them to process their concerns in a more engaging, enjoyable space. These experiences help immerse adolescents in treatment and provide a new perspective alongside a grounding or illuminating adventure.

There are a variety of new experiential therapy techniques that vary in strategy and approach. At Ascend, we strive to expose our teens to as many experiential therapy techniques as possible in the hopes that they connect and engage with at least one of them. Some of the most popular experiential strategies we use include:

Adventure Therapy

An exciting outing can be a great way to embrace the unknown and provide space and time to confront growth and other topics that teens have been addressing in therapy. Adventure therapy can be anything that feels like an adventure, but some of the most common approaches include:

• Hiking
• Surfing
• Equestrian

Expressive Therapy

Expressive therapy is a more creative way to approach experiential treatment. The theory here is that by enabling a person to wholly express themselves in a new way, they can get in touch with emotions and ideas that may be hiding beneath the surface. The key to this experiential therapy strategy is to allow the participant to freely express themselves through creative means, which may range from ceramics and painting to playing an instrument and dancing.

Psychodrama

This type of experiential therapy technique is a newer development that helps individuals zoom out of their own perspective by playing a role other than themselves. At Ascend, we offer improv nights where our teens act out experiences or memories they’d like to process, as well as more abstract psychodrama, like role-playing games that encourage teamwork and problem-solving.

Benefits of Experiential Therapy

Experiential therapy offers a more stimulating and inviting method for helping teens deal with issues they face and achieve growth and realization. The benefits of experiential therapy can differ from person to person, but you can expect to explore coping skills for everyday hurdles, self-control, autonomy, and self-confidence.

Meaningful Change Through Experiential Therapy at Ascend

Experiential therapy techniques can offer participants a unique perspective on their situation. Sometimes, getting out of their normal routines and engaging in life can help expose teens to a new perspective and discover new meaning in their journey.

If you think Ascend’s combination of clinical therapies could be the key to better mental health for yourself or a loved one, we urge you to reach out to us today. Fill out our online form or call us at 310.388.3713 to get in touch with the admissions team.