Teens across the country battle addiction and mental health disorders every day. While some teens may hide these behaviors from family and friends, over time, drug use, video game dependency, and disordered eating begin to impact the whole family. Luckily, there are programs around the country and right here in North Carolina ready to help struggling teens. Most programs pair therapy with medically assisted detox for successful early recovery. Traditional talk therapy is an essential tool to help teens cope with stress, fears of failure, and meeting societal expectations. Alternative therapies, like experiential therapy for teens, help implement tools from traditional therapy in fun and unique ways.

If your son needs extra support, call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today. Our North Carolina programs for adolescent boys include experiential therapy to help your son thrive. Call us at 866.300.5275 to learn more.

What Is Experiential Therapy for Teens?

There are many types of alternative therapies. Traditional therapy can be effective for teens, but pairing traditional therapy with alternative therapies can make a world of difference. Experiential therapy is an immersive type of therapy that encompasses many types of non-traditional therapy. Experiential therapy varies by center and location. Here, in North Carolina, experiential therapy programs often focus on equine-assisted and outdoor therapy programs. These programs give teens the opportunity to reconnect to nature and see the world around them. Other types of experiential therapy include:

• Yoga therapy
• Wilderness therapy
• Adventure therapy
• Art therapy
• Movement therapy
• Poetry therapy
• Music therapy
• Exercise therapy

Experiential therapy openly focuses on teens playing out experiences in new ways. Through various modes of expression, teens focus on self-expression, physical movement, and the outside world. This builds resilience and confidence while reducing stress and addictive patterns.

Benefits of Experiential Therapy for Teens

Studies show experiential therapy is especially effective for substance abuse and addiction among teens. Some benefits of various experiential therapy techniques include:

• Improved sleep
• Better mood
• Improved stress tolerance and judgment skills
• Mind-body awareness
• Increased confidence
• Self-expression

Experiential therapies help teens express themselves beyond words. For many teenagers, reconnecting with their bodies through physical, creative activities can help dispel unhealthy mindsets. In today’s world of social media and video games, it can be hard for teens to find themselves among the barrage of airbrushed images. Experiential therapy helps teens get away from screens and engage in the world more authentically. In addition, teens who engage in experiential therapy are less likely to return to drug or alcohol use once they leave treatment.

Start Experiential Therapy Today in North Carolina

North Carolina provides teens with the perfect escape from school, stress, and their digital lives. The scenic campus of Foothills at Red Oak Recovery provides teens with equine-assisted and wilderness therapy on-site. Our clients enjoy the benefits of working with our horses and other teenage boys who are in similar situations. These types of experiential therapy help clients see their lives more clearly. Many clients leave Foothills with a better sense of who they are and what they want out of life.

Our programs treat addiction and mental health disorders. With a focus on process addictions like video games, social media, and the internet, Foothills focuses on the opportunity to disconnect in nature. We also treat alcohol and drug addiction and disordered eating. With dual diagnosis treatment, therapists can diagnose and treat underlying co-occurring disorders for comprehensive addiction recovery.

Help Your Son with the Team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery

Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today to learn more about our North Carolina-based experiential therapy programs. Our staff is ready to answer your questions at 866.300.5275.