Experiential Family Therapy (EFT) is a method of psychotherapy that focuses on the whole family, not just individuals. It encourages each member to connect to their experience of the world and thereby effect meaningful therapeutic change. The therapist works with the entire family, not just with one individual, to create a sense of belonging and healing.
Treatment options
Experiential family therapy at rehab facilities like Pinnacle Recovery Center focuses on identifying and addressing hidden issues within families. It aims to open communication, make covert assumptions and defenses visible, and promote creativity and emotional well-being. It can be conducted in person or over video conference.
The therapeutic process is a long-term process that can address various problems. For example, it helps families overcome stressful experiences and emerge stronger. It also addresses chronic patterns of complicated feelings and thoughts.
Techniques
Experiential family therapy focuses on the here-and-now experience of family members. It emphasizes sharing and growth, promoting individuality and personal fulfillment. It also promotes healthy change processes and emphasizes individual responsibility.
These techniques help clients express their emotions, explore trauma, and work through past and future problems through various media. They are often used with children but can also be used with adults. They help clients confront their fears and trauma, as well as the emotional content of family members absent from their lives.
Drawbacks
Experiential family therapy may be for you if you are looking for a more practical approach to solving family conflicts. This type of therapy is focused on using various media to reach behavioral and mental goals. For example, the use of puppets and art therapy may be used to uncover the information and dynamics within a family. It may also benefit those who feel blocked by past trauma or are insecure about the future.
The researchers noted that families in the intervention group reported higher satisfaction and rapport with the therapist. This is possible because creative methods can encourage parents to feel more optimistic about the treatment. Youth reports did not show any difference. However, qualitative follow-ups showed that experiential activities increased family members’ willingness to discuss complex topics.
Cost
Experiential family therapy is a treatment that uses multisensory, active techniques to improve the expression of effect in the family. These techniques can help uncover new information and stimulate growth, especially in cases where verbal communication is difficult or impossible. This article will discuss a pediatric case study where a family used experiential techniques to address a child with autism.
The cost of family therapy sessions can range anywhere from $70 to $250 per session. Depending on the location and type of professional, the price may be lower or higher. The average cost of a therapy session is about $100 per session. However, you can pay as little as $29 per session if you need to make multiple appointments.
Background of therapist
An experiential therapist emphasizes the role of shared influence and introduces blame-free personal responsibility. Clients engage in self-discovery that involves both the therapist and the client. The therapist focuses on the client’s characteristics and interactions. An experiential therapist believes growth is natural and some painful experiences are typical. They think dysfunctional behaviors are failures to recognize personal growth potential.
An experiential therapist believes family systems are built on an unconscious network of implicit loyalties between parents and children. A breach of these implicit ties damages families. The therapist works to change the family’s internal messaging to promote unity and individual self-validation.
Target population
Experiential family therapy is a type of psychotherapy focused on uncovering hidden problems in families. It is a collaborative process involving role-playing, guided imagery, and expressive arts. It’s also designed to break the cycle of emotional deadness in families.
Experiential activities are incorporated into family therapy sessions and conducted in clients’ home environments. These activities are designed to increase participation, strengthen relationships, and increase the likelihood of treatment completion.
