What Is Experiential Therapy? (Activities and Examples)

What is Experiential Therapy?

Experiential therapy refers to a number of different types of therapy designed to focus on actual involvement with different types of experiences, including emotional processing, interactions with others, creativity, and reflections of events that go beyond traditional “talk therapy.” Essentially, these therapies help to make a person more aware of their internal representations of the world.¹

A central concept of experiential therapy is that people can create meaning through their subjective experiences, a process that is essential to being human. Experiential therapy may help patients develop insight and learning about their own nature, needs, and proactive methods to address them.¹

What is Experiential Therapy Used To Treat? 

Experiential therapies are sometimes used to treat:²

• Trauma.
• Eating disorders.
• Grief.
• Substance use disorders (SUDs).

Many people without diagnosable disorders but who struggle with anger, shame, or to build positive relationships may also benefit from experiential therapy.²

In clinical settings, experiential therapy is typically used in conjunction with traditional, evidence-based psychotherapy approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).²

How Is Experiential Therapy Used During Addiction Treatment?

Experiential therapies are often used in the treatment of substance use disorders. These interventions are typically not the primary form of treatment used in addressing an individual with addiction, but they are used in addition to traditional, empirically validated treatments that include withdrawal management techniques (if needed), medically assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, and support group involvement (e.g., 12-Step groups).³

Experiential techniques can be particularly useful for individuals who may experience difficulty interacting with others in traditional talk therapy approaches.

Different Types of Experiential Therapy & Activities

Experiential therapy typically involves specific types of personal interactions with people or animals, reflections of artistic works, or the creation of art. The focus is on the experience, understanding, and re-conceptualizing of one’s emotions and how they affect one’s behavior.

The techniques below can be useful when incorporated into substance use disorder treatment depending on the individual; however, they are not typically used as standalone treatments for substance use disorders, but rather as an adjunct to other interventions.

Expressive Therapies

Examples of expressive therapies include:

• Drama therapy or psychodrama: These approaches use drama or theater to help individuals achieve therapeutic goals. These can include acting out one’s own personal story or interacting with others in a form of drama.

• Music therapy: This involves any number of techniques using music to instill positive changes in behavior.

• Art therapy: Images or creative artistic processes, such as painting or sculpting, are used to develop awareness and reduce negative experiences.

• Play therapy: Therapeutic play is used to resolve psychological difficulties.

• Poetry therapy: This involves the use of literature or poetry to achieve personal growth.

Animal-assisted Therapies

Animal-assisted therapies involve the use of animals in the therapeutic process, such as equine therapy (caring for horses), the use of dogs in actual therapy sessions, and other forms of caring for the needs of animals as actual therapeutic interventions.

For example, Oxford Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ (AAC) Mississippi rehab facility, provides equine-assisted therapy, in which patients, horse, and therapist interact to explore issues like:

• Powerlessness.
• Communication.
• Boundaries.
• Trust.
• Patience.

Adventure Therapies

Adventure therapies occur when there is active participation in events, such as cooperative games, wilderness or outdoor expeditions, zip lines, rope courses, and more. Adventure therapies offer individuals the opportunity to develop trust, to learn problem-solving techniques, and to become better at expressing themselves, which can be useful in sustaining recovery.⁷

Benefits of Experiential Therapy

While more research is needed on the subject of experiential therapy, patients and clinicians often find that experiential therapy can be beneficial when it is used to complement traditional talk and behavioral therapy. These benefits can vary depending on the type of experiential therapy utilized.

While more research into the topic is needed, studies have indicated that some types of expressive therapies can help to reduce issues with the denial, foster cooperation in treatment, develop insight, and develop a more positive approach in substance use disorder treatment.⁴ Art therapy in particular is believed to improve one’s self-sufficiency and develop problem solving and work planning skills. And a 2023 review found that drama therapy could be effective in reducing mental illness and increasing mental health across several age groups.⁵

In relation to animal-assisted therapy, some studies have found that equine-assisted therapy, where individuals relate to horses and care for them, increased the capacity of patients to relate to people and to progress in substance use disorder treatment.⁶ Additionally, therapy dogs can support and supplement medical treatments, enabling individuals to feel more in control over their health and environment, empowering them to make a positive change.⁷

Further research is needed to confirm or disprove the efficacy of adventure therapies; however, outdoor therapeutic practices are believed to improve the mental, physical, and social health of diverse populations.⁸

Is Experiential Therapy Covered by Insurance?

Experiential therapy, when used in a formal rehab treatment plan, may be covered by insurance. This will depend on your insurance coverage provider. Use our online verification form below to see if insurance may be able to cover the cost of treatment.

Who Should Not Be Involved in Experiential Therapy?

Like any intervention, there are also a number of different counter indications for different types of experiential therapies. Some are general to experiential therapy as a whole, and some are more specific to the particular type of intervention. These include:

• Any form of experiential therapy should only be delivered to individuals who are appropriate in terms of age or maturity level, and who are physically able to be involved in the particular mode of therapy.
• Individuals who are suffering from psychosis should not be involved in most of these therapies.
• Individuals with severe cognitive impairment or physical limitations should not be involved in adventure therapies and certain types of expressive therapies. They should be very strictly supervised in animal-assisted therapies.

In the delivery of expressive therapies, it is very important to respect the particular wishes of the client involved. For example, individuals who are in art therapy may create art as a means of expression, but some may be very sensitive to criticism and do not want others to see their works of art (except for the therapist). Experiential therapy should always be administered by someone who is trained and certified in that particular approach.

Finding Treatment That Works For You

Experiential therapies broaden the range of potential interventions that can be used in a number of different types of treatment, including treatment for substance use disorders. Many AAC facilities offer experiential therapies alongside evidence-based care.

Call to speak to a compassionate admissions navigator about experiential therapy and addiction treatment options. They can help you or your loved one start treatment and begin recovery.