Experiential therapy takes place outside the office. Whereas group and individual talk therapy sessions involve theory, this treatment encourages hands-on engagement. How does it work? Most importantly, how could it help your adolescent at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery?
Defining Experiential Therapy
The teen therapy services NC trusts must contain a hands-on component. Adolescents learn by doing. Similarly, they explore and grow in situations where they can be active. Equine therapy, music, art, role-playing, and outdoor play are all examples of experiential therapy.
What the Treatment Accomplishes
Therapists accompany participants or guide the activities. This modality encourages the display of typical behavioral patterns. Besides that, it provides opportunities to use behaviors that adolescents are working on. Examples include mental flexibility, self-esteem, assertiveness, and interpersonal skills.
Experiential therapy begins after talk therapy has already started. Adolescents will have several tools at that time. They will know how to identify emotions. Most importantly, they might recognize dysfunctional patterns.
Some may attempt to avoid certain situations, which helps the therapist to customize a care protocol. Others embrace the changes that they want to undergo, and they work on these traits. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery specialists can then find supporting treatments to assist these program participants with reaching their goals.
Depending on the activity, there may also be a catharsis of sorts. Some adolescents experience breakthroughs. They face negative emotions. Doing so allows therapists to work with them directly on expressing these feelings in healthy ways.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Experiential Therapy?
Program participants attend this therapy with a broad range of treatment needs. Examples include:
- Process addiction treatment that might revolve around video gaming
- Substance abuse intervention
- Disordered eating care for a variety of conditions
- Trauma treatment that might involve current or prior situations in the adolescent’s life
- Mental health care for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or other conditions
Because hands-on care focuses on behavior modification, it’s ideal in these scenarios. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery therapists offer it not only in group settings but also in individual therapy. Besides that, they gauge each adolescent’s readiness to interact in a group. For some, this is a natural step.
Others need a little longer. There’s no reason to rush. In fact, it’s best that everyone proceeds at their own pace. Therefore, hands-on treatments allow for complete personalization.
What Program Participants Walk Away With
There are, of course, the therapeutic benefits. We have already touched on several of them. Besides that, there’s the opportunity for personal growth. This is something that takes place outside the therapy setting.
For example, someone with interest in expressing himself or herself creatively will find validation in this activity. This adolescent might resolve to find new outlets for creativity at home. Someone else might discover a new hobby. They might take up horseback riding or art.
Almost everyone becomes more self-aware. Those who put limits on their abilities find that they’re usually wrong. These adolescents appreciate that they’re capable of more than they thought. Most importantly, they also realize how some interventions helped them achieve more.
Signs of Good Hands-On Therapy
Not everyone can administer this modality. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery ensures that clinicians have experience and licenses. Similarly, they underwent training for this treatment. Therefore, they feel comfortable with overseeing the various hands-on opportunities.
They can make program participants feel safe and comfortable. Besides that, they help those who hesitate to jump right in. Before long, this treatment option becomes fun and easily the favorite aspect of therapy for most. Learn more about experiential therapy contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 now or visit here for all our offerings and blogs.
