Experiential therapy is a method of treatment for substance use disorders that emphasizes learning through experiences. Although it may not be the first form of therapy that comes to mind when you think of therapy for substance use disorders, this page will explain how experiential therapy can be an effective method when treating substance use disorders.
Apex Recovery Tennessee offers experiential therapy options at our Tennessee facilities through Daniel Wolfshadow Winkler, our dedicated experiential therapist here in Tennessee.
What is Experiential Therapy?
First created in the 1950s and 1960s, experiential therapies for addiction treatment “emphasize focusing on clients’ experiential process to promote change.” It strives to help people be more aware of in-the-moment experiences including:1
- Sensations
- Perceptions
- Emotions and feelings
- Implicit meaning
Experiential therapy techniques “promote change through direct experience.”2 The principles surrounding this type of therapy are genuineness, empathy, interpersonal safety, and experiential processing..1 Apex Recovery now offers experiential therapy in Tennessee with our highly-experienced experiential therapist, Daniel Wolfshadow Winkler.
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Schedule a free, confidential assessment with a licensed clinician. Apex Recovery can check your insurance coverage levels for drug and alcohol addiction, and mental health treatment.
Types of Experiential Therapy
Unlike other more common forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) used in treating addiction and mental health, “experiential therapies make use of expressive tools and reflective activities (e.g. role-playing, imagery) to enhance clients’ awareness and facilitate their experience and expression of unresolved emotions surrounding past, present, or future situations.”2 Depending on the program, this may include:
- Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT)– Certified animals are used to assist in a goal directed and structured therapy session to address various health problems. Compassion animals like cats, rabbits, dolphins, farm animals, and dogs can be used to provide comfort and emotional security in a time of distress.3
- Equine-assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) – Similar to animal-assisted therapy, certified horses are used to provide comfort and support during difficult aspects of addiction treatment.3
- Outdoor Adventure Therapy (OAT)- A form of therapy in nature where participants can increase independence, positive rewards, endorphins, etc. through outdoor activities such as rock climbing, rope courses, and caving.4
- Art therapy – Patients are able to express themselves through imaginative, creative, and non-verbal means through drawing, painting, and other forms of art.5
- Music therapy – Songwriting, musical games, musical improvisation, and other activities are used to help patients express their emotions and feelings.5
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How Is Experiential Therapy Used for Addiction?
Apex Recovery uses a holistic approach when treating substance use disorders and other mental health disorders. By offering a wide variety of therapies, each patient receives a tailored treatment plan designed for their unique needs. Apex Recovery pairs experiential therapy with other therapies including:
- Medication-assisted Treatment.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
- Motivational Interviewing (MI).
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
- Family Therapy.
For more information on how treatment plans are tailored to each patient, speak with a specialist now by calling (877) 881-2689.
Benefits of Experiential Therapy for Addiction
Research on experiential therapy has found a number of benefits for mental disorders like addiction. Animal-assisted therapy can help those who struggle to relate to other people, adventure therapy allows people to learn problem solving techniques, and art/music therapy can help people express themselves creatively. Other benefits of Experiential therapy include building skills like:6,2
- Creative thinking
- Emotional processing
- Stress management/reduction
- Situational awareness
- Self-awareness
- Mindfulness
- Resolution
Furthermore, research on experimental treatment is also focusing on treating other mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is particularly encouraging for addiction treatment as oftentimes patients have both a substance use disorder and other mental health disorder.2
Apex Recovery Treatment Centers in Tennessee
Apex Recovery in Tennessee has two facilities in the state providing a variety of different forms of therapy, including experiential therapy. These centers provide a tranquil backdrop for recovery. The Franklin center is situated at 4601 Carothers Pkwy STE 250A, Franklin, TN 37067, while the Columbia facility can be found at 2710 Trotwood Ave Suite A, Columbia, TN 38401. They offer a range of programs in welcoming, supportive environments.
Apex Recovery Franklin
4601 Carothers Pkwy STE 250A
Franklin, TN 37067
Apex Recovery Columbia
2710 Trotwood Ave STE A & B
Columbia, TN 38401
Does Insurance Cover Experiential Therapy?
Most health insurance programs in the United States cover drug and alcohol addiction treatment. When used as part of a rehab treatment program, experiential therapy may be covered by your insurance. However, your level of coverage will depend on multiple factors including:7
- Length of stay.
- Level of care needed.
- Location of program.
- Your individual policy.
If you are unsure what your insurance or the insurance of a loved one will and will not cover when it comes to addiction treatment, use Apex Recovery’s insurance verification tool or contact a compassionate and knowledgeable Apex admissions team for more information. Our compassionate team is here to help.
How to Find Experiential Therapy in Tennessee
Many treatment facilities in Tennessee offer experiential therapy, however, the offerings will not be the same at every facility. Anonymous and confidential services like FindTreatment.gov’s online database can help you locate a treatment program near you discreetly.
Apex Recovery now offers experiential therapy in Tennessee with our dedicated experiential therapist, Daniel Wolfshadow Winkler. Apex Recovery offers all levels of care including:
- Medical Detox.
- Residential Treatment.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs .
- Outpatient Programs.
- Aftercare.
If you or a loved one is in need of addiction treatment in Tennessee, contact Apex Recovery to learn more about how we can help. We are available 24/7 at [phone]
Sources
- Pos, A. E., Greenberg, L. S., & Elliott, R. (2008). Experiential therapy. Twenty-first century psychotherapies: Contemporary approaches to theory and practice, 80-122.
- Cowden, R. G., Chapman, I. M., Houghtaling, A., & Worthington Jr, E. L. (2021). Effects of a group experiential therapy program on the psychological health of military veterans: A preliminary investigation.
- Klemetsen, M. G., & Lindstrøm, T. C. (2017). Animal-assisted therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders: A systematic mixed methods review.
- Teaff, J., & Kablach, J. (1987). Psychological Benefits of Outdoor Adventure Activities.
- Aletraris, L., Paino, M., Edmond, M. B., Roman, P. M., & Bride, B. E. (2014). The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment
- de Witte, M., Pinho, A. da S., Stams, G. J., Moonen, X., Bos, A. E. R., & van Hooren, S. (2020). Music therapy for stress reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Know What Treatments Your Health Insurance Covers.