Experiential therapy involves role playing, props, arts & crafts, music, animal care, guided imagery or recreational therapy. As clients practice these activities and through the experience, begin to identify emotions related to success, disappointment, responsibility, and self-esteem.
Activities can help create a safe way for clients and therapist to work through negative and intense emotions and start to release them.
As a client focuses on the activity or task at hand, the therapist might talk with them about how the experience makes them feel. This process identifies specific actions which helps the client understand their emotions that are attached to specific behaviors.
An example of an experiential technique used in family therapy would be to have each family member draw their family and then discuss the drawing with each other. The use of art therapy in this manner may draw out dynamics or information in families that otherwise would not be talked about in a session.
A clinician may guide young adults in writing and playing music in music therapy, or drawing in art therapy.
Family members may direct each other in a task while blindfolded; this is a great way to learn about familial communication styles, and how families deal with frustration, anger, and disappointment or how they may or may not work together to achieve a goal.
Dynamics emerge in experiential therapy and then can be addressed in real time with the therapist in a supportive environment.
Sandstone Care provides age specific care for those who struggle with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. We have treatment centers throughout the United States.
Movement plays an important role in learning, as well as releasing stress. Experiential therapy for young adults promotes community, team-building, and deeper relationships with one’s peers.
When used in family therapy, it can uncover unspoken rules about how a person fits in the family, the roles each member plays, and work to enact positive change in dynamics, communication, and coping skills.
In Motivational Interviewing, the therapist listens and helps to guide the client towards achieving their goals. This style of communication is frequently used to treat substance abuse because it helps resolve insecurities and find internal motivation needed to change behavior.
The four tenets applied to treatment help build trust and connection between the patient and the therapist, focusing on areas that may need to be changed and determining the reasons a client may have for changing or holding onto a behavior.
The 4 tenets that are applied to treatment:
The Continuum of Care
Access a full range of treatments for mental health and substance use disorders. Whether you need a safe transitional living community, inpatient care, or outpatient therapy, we have a program to help.
5-21 days of 24/7 on-site medical supervision.
Our Medically-Assisted Detox and Inpatient Center offers private rooms and 24/7 medically supervised care to support a safe recovery from drugs and alcohol, followed by comprehensive treatment that addresses your physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs.
2-6 Months
Our Transitional Living Program combines the structure of treatment and group living, with the freedom of living away from home.
This level of care is for young adults (18-30) who are not quite ready to heal from home. This level of care provides a safe and supportive living environment integrated with a PHP or IOP level of care. Here, you’ll learn life skills and healthy recovery strategies in an environment that’s set up for your success.
4 weeks of on-site day treatment.
Our Young Adult Day Treatment Program, also known as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), is a highly structured level of care for young adults that offers five days of robust programming a week.
Our two distinct mental health and substance use tracks help young adults to stabilize, begin to understand their mental health and/or addiction struggles, and heal from them. We strive to help our clients become more like the person they want to be without using negative coping strategies or substances to get there.
12 weeks of on-site or virtual treatment.
Our Young Adult IOP, or Intensive Outpatient Program, offers two distinct tracks to address young adult needs, each track consisting of 3-4 days of weekly programming.
In our mood disorder track, we are able to focus on mental health, depression, trauma, and anxiety. In our dual diagnosis track, we are able to support young adults with substance use and mental health challenges. Each focuses on developing positive social, academic, and vocational habits while continuing with their job or school responsibilities.
5040 Corporate Woods Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23462
(888) 850-1890
4880 Sadler Rd, Suite 110, Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060
(888) 850-1890
We understand taking the first step is difficult. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information. We are here to support you in any way we can.
