Experiential Therapy
Experiential Therapy For
Treating Addiction
David Kolb, the famous educational theorist, identified a four-stage cycle of learning that occurs with experiential therapy. Kolb writes that learning “is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience,” and his learning cycle embodies this theory:
Stage one: Concrete experience (do it.)
Learners engage in a new experience.
Stage two: Reflective observation (talk about it.)
Learners actively observe and reflect before, during and after the experience.
Stage three: Abstract conceptualization (synthesize it.)
The reflection of the experience sparks a new idea or the reworking of an old idea or belief.
Stage four: Active experimentation (apply it.)
Learners apply their new or reworked idea in their lives and let it shape their perceptions of themselves and the world around them in positive ways.
According to Kolb, experiential therapy only works when all four stages are involved. An experience alone won’t create change unless it’s observed, conceptualized and applied. When it is, the experience becomes a catalyst for developing new concepts and skills that promote successful recovery.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a holistic approach to treatment offers the best chances of successful recovery. This approach involves both traditional and complementary therapies that promote whole-person healing.
Traditional therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, which help you change negative thought and behavior patterns and cope better with negative emotions.
Complementary therapies include experiential therapies like art or music therapy, adventure therapy and horticultural therapy. These hands-on therapies are led by trained, licensed therapists who help individuals look at old issues in new ways; synthesize lessons learned and apply them to their lives; and develop greater self-awareness through observing how they respond while engaging in certain activities. Many experiential therapies use principles from cognitive-behavioral therapy and other traditional therapies to help create meaningful change.
Experiential therapies are fun and engaging, and they help improve retention in treatment.
Types of Experiential Therapy for Treating Addiction
Music therapy involves making, listening to, moving to and analyzing music. According to a study published in the Journal of Addictions Nursing, music therapy reduces feelings of anxiety, depression and anger, and it’s associated with a stronger motivation to change.5 Music therapy also helps participants:
• Improve communication skills
• Work through complex emotions and issues
• Find common ground with others
• Create meaningful personal change
Drum therapy promotes a sense of connection and belonging with others and improves emotional functioning, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health. (3) During drumming therapy, participants choose a drum and enjoy call-and-response activities and create improvisational music that promotes a state of “flow.” Meditation and visualization are often incorporated into the session. Drumming therapy helps participants:
• Make meaningful connections with others
• Work through emotional trauma
• Connect to a higher power
• Develop self-confidence and leadership skills
• Release negative emotions
• Reduce feelings of self-centeredness and isolation
Yoga is a mindfulness experiential therapy that combines controlled breathing and movement. Led by a certified yoga instructor, yoga often incorporates inspirational teachings and meditation techniques to help participants improve their self- and body-awareness .and dwell in the present moment without concerns of the past or future. Yoga is widely used in addiction treatment programs and helps people:
• Improve mindfulness
• Reduce cravings
• Reduce stress and improve the body’s stress response
• Reduce symptoms of PTSD
• Reduce depression and anxiety
• Heal emotional wounds, especially for trauma survivors
Experiential Therapy Promotes Successful Recovery from Addiction
A treatment program that includes a range of experiential therapies along with traditional programming offers better outcomes. Experiential therapy enhances whole-person healing and increases feelings of wellbeing. Through a variety of experiential therapies, people in treatment increase their self-awareness and make important connections between their thoughts, emotions and behaviors for better social and emotional functioning.
Experiential therapy has proven benefits, and it’s an integral part of any high-quality treatment program. Experiential therapies provide a safe place to explore complicated emotions and experiences, and they help individuals develop healthier patterns of thinking and behaving. Experiential therapy promotes active participation and mindfulness in treatment and beyond.
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