Experiential Therapy
At Hanley Center, we use activity-based interventions and techniques to improve the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of our patients. This work, provided by a Certified Recreational Therapist and addiction professional with over three decades of experience, is key in assisting individuals as they develop the knowledge, life-skills, and behaviors that support healthy recovery.
What is experiential therapy?
Experiential therapy is a systematic modality that utilizes recreation, expression, and other activity-based techniques to restore physical and psychological health, well-being, and recovery. This active form of therapy is an effective treatment methodology, incorporating various treatment modalities, which can rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and break down the barriers to sustained recovery.
Many people think of therapy as simply talking about feelings, issues or memories. While these are important, they may be harder to access for some individuals. Experiential treatment gives patients a specific activity to focus on first, allowing the feelings to follow.
Through a particular action or experience, patients at Hanley Center are given the opportunity to challenge themselves beyond their own personal physical abilities. This experiential form of therapeutic intervention involves the creation of opportunities with peers to explore the unknown. Under the direction of a highly trained Wellness Coordinator, our patients can confront their fears and build confidence.
TREATMENT MODALITIES
Challenge Yourself
Through the group adventure experience, patients at Hanley Center are given the opportunity to challenge themselves beyond their own personal physical abilities. This experiential form of therapeutic intervention involves the creation of opportunities with peers to explore the unknown. Under the direction of a highly-trained Wellness Coordinator, our patients can confront their fears and build confidence.
Who can benefit from experiential therapy?
Studies have shown that experiential therapy provides a variety of positive health outcomes for individuals of all backgrounds and ages. This includes individuals with physical disabilities, older adults and people with behavioral or psychiatric disorders, as well as those impacted by addiction.
Common disorders and symptoms treated through experiential therapy include:
- Substance use disorders and addiction
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Disordered eating
- PTSD and trauma
- Mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
- Attention deficit disorders
- Personality disorders
Key areas of focus during experiential therapy groups include:
- Stress management
- Development of an active, healthy lifestyle
- Improved body image
- Emotional processing
- Healthy coping strategies
- Reducing isolation
- Positive community interaction
- Increased sense of self-worth and self-esteem
- Building positive relationships
- Deepening the spiritual connection through body-based activity
Our therapies
Our Wellness Coordinator provides a wide array of group activities, including:
- Adventure and outdoor pursuits
- Trust activities
- Guided morning stretch
- Cooperative games
- Beach experiences
- Problem-solving initiatives
Experiential therapies at Hanley Center broaden the array of interventions we offer our patients as they pursue total wellness. Each carefully crafted group is designed to promote teamwork, cooperation, communication skills, trust and personal growth. With every opportunity, we challenge our patients to safely step outside their comfort zones with support from their peers.
Start your journey by calling (561) 841-1033 to get started.
FAQs about experiential therapy
How do experiential therapies differ from more traditional therapies?
Experiential therapy embraces a definition of health which moves beyond the mere absence of “illness,” and extends to encompass all areas of physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Our hope is to help each patient find an abundant life of purpose, meaning and wellness.
The unique feature of experiential therapy that makes it different from other forms of therapy is the use of interventions and strategies that get the body involved in the therapeutic process. This means working within the bounds of each patient’s physical abilities and helping them mindfully connect to themselves.
An experiential therapist offers a unique perspective and can effectively incorporate teamwork into the therapy process in a way that is relevant and meaningful. Our Wellness Coordinator weaves the concept of active, healthy living into our treatment to enhance independence, health and successful involvement in all aspects of life.
Who provides experiential therapy at Hanley Center?
Our experiential groups and services are provided by a Wellness Coordinator who is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with over three decades of practice. Requirements to become a CTRS include a degree from an accredited university, as well as a formal clinical internship and a national competency exam. At Hanley Center, our Wellness Coordinator is also a certified addiction professional, with an in-depth knowledge of how to propel those suffering from addiction towards a life of recovery.
How does experiential therapy work?
Think of experiential therapy activities as a hands-on, interactive way to problem-solve. They can be created just for an individual or for a group to experience at the same time.
- Role-playing exercises are an example of experiential therapy in a group.
- Art therapy uses the medium to help patients put feelings into paintings or drawings.
Music therapy allows patients to listen and reflect on carefully chosen songs that may be connected to their past.
What does experiential therapy help with?
Experiential therapy can help in the treatment of substance use disorders and mental health disorders. The disorders in that second group include anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma. This form of therapy identifies themes that connect activities to specific treatment needs and intervention techniques.
For example, a patient’s feeling of powerlessness and tendency to blame others may be revealed during an activity. The goal for this patient is to learn how to feel empowered and start taking responsibility for their choices.
What are the goals of experiential therapy?
The goals of experiential therapy are to help a patient recognize the hidden feelings that have been driving their mental health and substance use issues and empower them to make healthier choices. A patient is given a safe space to feel their feelings, too. Learning to cope with these feelings, without turning to drugs or alcohol, is an important objective as well.
How does experiential therapy support addiction recovery?
If you’ve ever had a noticeable emotional response to a song, you’ve already experienced the principle behind experiential therapy. Music, like other activities used in therapy, can unlock specific emotions tied to memories and help patients process them in a safe and supportive environment.
At Hanley Center, experiential therapy helps those recovering from substance use disorders recognize underlying feelings, learn to cope with them in healthy ways and build the confidence and resilience needed for long-term recovery.
Begin your recovery journey
Hanley Center uses experiential therapy techniques to help treat those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. Through recreation, self-expression and group activities, patients challenge themselves and learn healthy coping strategies. They also learn how to process their feelings safely, create connections within their community and develop an active, healthy lifestyle.
Insurance Can Cover up to 100% of Treatment
We offer free, no obligation health insurance benefit checks. If you are currently insured, your treatment could be covered partially or in full.
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Address: 933 45th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
