Experiential Therapy

Experiential therapy is an umbrella term that covers many kinds of therapy, but the common thread between all kinds of experiential therapy is that they are hands-on approaches to therapy, as opposed to traditional talk therapy. Both experiential and talk therapy can be beneficial for different people in different situations, but sometimes experiential therapy can help people open up in a new way.

Experiential therapy includes Art and Music Therapy and Psychodrama, but can also include play therapy (more often used for children), poetry therapy, movement or somatic therapy, adventure or wilderness therapy, and animal therapy.

The goal is to have clients experience these activities and then reflect on the emotions that come with the experience. People may be more easily able to identify their feelings and process them through experiences than through conversation.

Experiential therapy is helpful for those who are not able or ready to engage in talk therapy. It is beneficial for treating things like trauma, grief, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. It can also be used for those without specific diagnoses but who struggle with anger, shame, or relationships.

A core belief in experiential therapy is the idea that a person’s behavior is an outgrowth of their perception of the world.[1] If a person is mired in fear, doubt, anxiety, dissociation, or self-loathing, whatever the cause, it can be hard for them to talk about or even acknowledge.

Completing experiential activities with a therapist’s guidance can help a person find new ways to process their feelings and replace negative thoughts and feelings with more positive ones. Taking action during a session can also show a client how they can take action in their lives, leading to the possibility of change.

Experiential therapy uses a bottom-up approach. This means that instead of talking about how a person acts or feels in past or current situations, experiential therapy immerses the client in a new experience, providing new raw data for the client and therapist to analyze.

Experiential therapy can also be used in group and family settings. For individuals, families, and groups, experiential therapy is often used in conjunction with talk therapy or if talk therapy has not worked in the past.

Considerable research has been undertaken in the last twenty years to show the effectiveness of experiential therapies. A literature review by Ben Mullings reviewed five meta-analyses of the efficacy of experiential therapies, finding that there is “clear and consistent evidence for the effectiveness of experiential approaches for depression and unresolved relational issues.”[2]

Another meta-analysis from 2022 found that experiential therapies were more effective than talk therapy in treating depressive symptoms.[3]  Yet another study from 1995 on individuals with relationship issues found that “experiential therapy achieved clinically meaningful gains for most clients.”[4]

While more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of experiential therapy for other conditions, the emphasis on action and healing is particularly effective for those who may need to create meaning through experience rather than thought.

What one might expect in a session of experiential therapy might differ based on the kind of experience the client is engaging in.

Experiential therapy includes three main kinds of experiences for adults: expressive, animal, and adventure. Therapists who use these methods are trained in the experience as well as in therapy, and they will guide the client through certain activities based on the client’s mindset and abilities.

For example, if a therapist asks a client to engage in equine therapy, but the client has never been around horses or fears horses, the therapist may have the client start by just standing or sitting in the stable or putting one hand on the horse and work their way up to riding in later sessions.

Expressive

Expressive therapy includes art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, play therapy, and poetry therapy. Each of these modes asks the client to engage with an artistic medium to either create something or interact with creations from others (works of art, music or lyrics, etc.)

Expressive therapy can help clients explore their thoughts and feelings in an indirect way, which may open up new ways to process emotions and even uncover thoughts and feelings a client wasn’t aware of.

Animal Therapy

Animal therapy involves having a client interact with animals; horses and dogs are most common. Dogs can be brought to therapy sessions or even to inpatient treatment facilities in hospitals or treatment centers. Horses need their own space, but caring for such large, gentle creatures can often increase a client’s sense of achievement, self-esteem, self-awareness, and empathy.

Other animals can be used as well, but all animals used in therapy are trained to be specifically supportive to humans.

Adventure and Wilderness Therapy

Adventure and wilderness therapies include things like rope courses, zip lines, and trips into the wilderness. These kinds of experiences can help clients build confidence in themselves and deal with feelings of powerlessness and self-doubt. Individuals often learn to better trust themselves and use problem-solving techniques.

Movement

Movement or somatic therapy is focused on one’s body. This can include things like breathwork, dancing, or yoga. Focusing on the body and movement can help clients feel more in tune with themselves and the present moment, helping them build confidence and trust in their bodies. It can also benefit physical health by improving heart health and promoting relaxation.