Experiential Therapy in 06355

Photo of Anne Rivers, MS, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Anne Rivers
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MS, LCSW
Verified Verified
Mystic, CT 06355
Are you an individual trying to lead the life you would like to have and not succeeding, or a married or unmarried couple in an unhappy relationship, or a parent coping with a child's behavior you don't understand? Together we can discover what is getting in the way of achieving your goals with others, and with yourself.
Are you an individual trying to lead the life you would like to have and not succeeding, or a married or unmarried couple in an unhappy relationship, or a parent coping with a child's behavior you don't understand? Together we can discover what is getting in the way of achieving your goals with others, and with yourself.
(860) 536-4383 x2 View (860) 536-4383 x2
Photo of Giulia Jaramillo, MSLMFT, Author, Marriage & Family Therapist
Giulia Jaramillo
Marriage & Family Therapist, MSLMFT, Author
Verified Verified
Mystic, CT 06355
I am certified to work with individuals starting at age 16, as well as couples and families. I have experience in working with clients who struggle with trauma (PTSD), anxiety, panic, ADHD (all types), depression, physical disabilities, and navigating the ADA legal system. I have over a decade of experience working with military families, legal issues, criminal issues, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
I am certified to work with individuals starting at age 16, as well as couples and families. I have experience in working with clients who struggle with trauma (PTSD), anxiety, panic, ADHD (all types), depression, physical disabilities, and navigating the ADA legal system. I have over a decade of experience working with military families, legal issues, criminal issues, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
(860) 786-4752 View (860) 786-4752
Photo of Heather Smith, PhD, Psychologist
Heather Smith
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Mystic, CT 06355
I enjoy the privilege of working with my patients as they seek to improve their life satisfafction, develop coping skills, and change their symptoms into manageable aspects of their life. For over 30 years, I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In addition to providing therapy, my experience includes testing and evaluations; university teaching and professional development seminars; as well as developing programs and clinics, serving as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer.
I enjoy the privilege of working with my patients as they seek to improve their life satisfafction, develop coping skills, and change their symptoms into manageable aspects of their life. For over 30 years, I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In addition to providing therapy, my experience includes testing and evaluations; university teaching and professional development seminars; as well as developing programs and clinics, serving as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer.
(757) 502-8992 View (757) 502-8992
Photo of Karen S Baker, MA, LCDP, Counselor
Karen S Baker
Counselor, MA, LCDP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Mystic, CT 06355
Not accepting new clients
10 years previous experience working with pregnant and parenting women in residential treatment for addiction recovery, specializing in relapse prevention, and co-occurring mental health issues. My focus was on helping these women to understand their family of origin issues and how they had impacted their lives so profoundly in unhealthy ways. Through psychoeducation in individual and group counseling, we worked on increasing self-worth, developing sober emotional coping skills, self-advocacy skills, and self-empowerment. Now in private practice 5 years, I focus on psychoeducation for addressing trauma history and related issues.
10 years previous experience working with pregnant and parenting women in residential treatment for addiction recovery, specializing in relapse prevention, and co-occurring mental health issues. My focus was on helping these women to understand their family of origin issues and how they had impacted their lives so profoundly in unhealthy ways. Through psychoeducation in individual and group counseling, we worked on increasing self-worth, developing sober emotional coping skills, self-advocacy skills, and self-empowerment. Now in private practice 5 years, I focus on psychoeducation for addressing trauma history and related issues.
(401) 208-0656 View (401) 208-0656

See more therapy options for 06355

Experiential Therapy

How does experiential therapy work?

Experiential therapy works by allowing an individual to use their creativity to re-imagine themselves and their lives in an effort to process their emotions. Experiential therapy may take many forms, including engaging clients through art, re-enactments, role-playing, music, or forms of physical recreation. By focusing on these activities, experiential therapists help individuals identify the emotions they associate with previous experiences and work together to cope with negative reactions, like fear, anger, or shame.

Is experiential therapy evidence-based?

Experiential therapy incorporates many therapy modalities, some of which have been more closely researched than others. Music therapy, for example, has been shown to help with sleep problems. Some studies find that art therapy can be beneficial for those with eating disorders or personality disorders, while other research suggests that such approaches have little impact.

How long does experiential therapy last?

The duration of experiential therapy will depend on the type of therapy used as well as the severity of the challenges an individual faces. Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Art therapy may comprise 10 to 15 weekly sessions. Music therapy sessions generally last between 30 and 50 minutes and can be scheduled weekly or on an as-needed basis. For each therapy type, clients should periodically discuss their goals with their therapist to make sure the two are aligned on process and progress.

Does experiential therapy help with trauma?

Trauma is one area where experiential therapy may be useful. Traumatic experiences such as combat or childhood abuse can be so painful that articulating them can be too scary or painful; creating visual art allows people to express themselves without words, and tell their story in a different way. Listening to music can be relaxing, while making music as part of a group provides plenty of opportunities to connect with other people. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, or who have been physically or emotionally abused.