I love words.
I love the power they have to both convey and to shape an experience, and to help us make sense of our world. At the same time, when we get lost in the content of words alone we can miss out on the emotional experience that allows something to truly change for us.
Experiential therapy aims to help individuals explore and express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-conventional and more experiential way. It is based on the belief that people can gain deeper insights into themselves and their emotions by actively engaging in the experience of their emotions–both in the present moment and how those emotions appear in the present moment when talking about the past. Through experiential therapy we can facilitate emotional healing, personal growth, and self-awareness.
While some people use techniques like art therapy, drama therapy, animal-assisted therapy, etc. I primarily focus on shaping our conversations to evoke emotion that leads to insight.
The core principles of experiential therapy include:
Engagement: Encouraging individuals to actively participate in the therapeutic process through various activities and experiences.
Awareness: Promoting self-awareness and insight by focusing on the present moment and exploring emotions, sensations, and thoughts as they arise during the experiential activities.
Expression: Providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals to express their emotions, often through non-verbal means like art, movement, or dramatic expression.
Processing: Facilitating the integration and understanding of the experiences by reflecting on and discussing the thoughts, emotions, and insights that emerged during the activities.
Experiential therapy can be beneficial for individuals struggling with a wide range of issues, including trauma, addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. It can help individuals connect with their emotions, gain new perspectives, develop coping skills, enhance self-esteem, and foster personal growth.