Therapy, therapy, therapy! Everyone is talking about getting therapy and recommending therapy. The radio, internet and T.V. commercials are filled with different apps, websites, and resources for getting therapy from anywhere in the world. Maybe you would like some help with your mental health, but you don’t know what therapy is, what it can do to help you, or if you will be comfortable sitting on a couch like a stereotype. “What Is Therapy?” is much too large of a question to answer in a short blog post, but I do want to discuss one approach to therapy: Experiential Therapy.
The idea of Experiential Therapy began in the 50’s and 60’s, when humanity wanted more humanity. Before this, people were treated like computers where any specific inputs would result in specific outputs. Psychologists like Freud published these “human-robot” psychology ideas, and as he is probably the only psychologist most people can name, his ideas were famous. Fortunately, Experiential Therapy started gaining traction. This new movement of human beings having the capacity for creativity, growth, and joy was a welcome change to the Freudian models. No longer was therapy just someone sitting on a coach, being asked questions, and mentally led around by your doctor.
Experiential Therapy is huge, and would take days to fully examine, but the moral of the story is that experiences can help patients identify and focus on their emotions just as much as (if not more than) sitting on a couch. Patients can engage in activities they enjoy such as art, games, dance, or horseback riding, or even just roleplaying. It is patient-focused, individual, and effective. It has been proven to effectively treat PTSD, addiction, OCD, anxiety, and many other personal and relationship issues, while having fun!
I am not saying Experiential Therapy is the best choice for everyone, or even that therapy is mandated for everyone, but I am saying that there are options. This may be shocking, but not everything is like the stereotypes you see on T.V. If you are struggling, or just think you could be better, reach out to someone. Check out those apps or websites, call your insurance company for references, or ask friends and family. Also keep in mind you don’t have to stick with the first therapist you see. If you see someone but it doesn’t seem like a good fit, find someone else. This is your health; do not take shortcuts or settle!