Experiential Therapy in Utah County

At Cirque Lodge, we offer a wide range of holistic and experiential therapies, including:

• Equine therapy
• Yoga
• Art therapy
• Hiking
• Gardening
• Biking
• Fitness
• Ropes
• Snowshoeing
• 3rd Step flight experience

We lead each activity with positive therapeutic outcomes in mind. Each experiential therapy session promotes self-care and skill-building in each client.

Experiential work enhances the cognitive work in traditional therapy. By combining traditional psychotherapy with outdoor, physical, experiential therapies, we take a holistic approach to your recovery.

We understand that addiction is not just a set of symptoms but rather a reflection of a much deeper, more complex issue.

We help you recover by addressing all aspects of your life. We acknowledge your unique life experience and strive to bring out your most honest, authentic self. That is the part of yourself that will bring with it the strength and resilience you need to achieve and sustain a successful, lasting recovery.

Holistic and experiential therapies are powerful healing tools. Often, we come to rehab and therapy with feelings and that are buried deep down, where we are not able to access them. This can hinder the therapeutic process. Experiential therapies engage both mind and body to bring down our walls and help us open up about what we are experiencing.

Experiential therapies give us the freedom to be who we really are. We encourage self-exploration and being present in the here-and-now. This practice makes treatment more effective and rewarding.

Clients who struggle with substance use disorder (Substance Use Disorder)  benefit from experiential therapy.

Experiential Therapies create an opportunity for clients to become aware of issues that have proven to be stumbling blocks in their life. Some of the many benefits of experiential therapy include:

• Increased self-awareness
• Improved trust, communication, and relationships
• Strength and resilience
• Healthy coping skills
• Improved emotional intelligence

Equine Therapy

Equine therapy is an evidence-based experiential therapy that promotes effective self-communication. Horses are sensitive animals, and working with them brings out our innate sensitivity. According to the Human Animal Interaction Bulletin, taking care of a horse, feeding it, riding it, or being present with it has a calming effect on the mind and body.

Outdoor Adventure Therapy

At Cirque Lodge, we boast one of the beautiful landscapes in this part of the country. Our outdoor adventure therapies include hiking, rafting, cycling, and climbing, to name a few.

Our outdoor sessions take place in groups. They promote team bonding and provide each client with a strong sense of community and collaboration. Adventure therapy helps clients by:

• Improving communication skills
• Improving problem-solving skills
• Taking on personal responsibility
• Developing trust in others

Art Therapy

Art therapy is for clients of all ages with all kinds of conditions. It is a versatile approach to therapy because it does not rely on verbal communication. Instead, clients have the opportunity to express themselves through:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Sculpting
• Dance/movement
• Journalling

According to the Journal of Addictions Nursing, art therapy provides a safe space in which you can uncover deep feelings that you may struggle to articulate. As with all experiential therapies, art therapy promotes positive therapeutic outcomes back in the traditional psychotherapy setting.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach to addiction and mental health treatment. First developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro, this therapy guides clients through past traumatic events. At the same time, clients remain grounded in the room through bilateral stimulation (left to right tapping, sounds, or eye movements).

Experiential therapy works based on the fact that our perception influences our behavior.

In experiential therapy, clients work on the past trauma and adverse experiences that led to their addiction by engaging in the present as wholeheartedly as possible.

Therapists are a source of compassionate support as clients re-experience or revisit their repressed negative thoughts and self-beliefs. Compassionate and attuned therapists help clients work these feelings and respond to them with more positive emotions such as love, peace, and forgiveness.

Memories of our traumas and negative past experiences can be distressing and overwhelming. While rehab supports clients through various therapies, there is still a risk of relapse after rehab.

Relapse usually happens when a client cannot tolerate the distress associated with cravings and negative thoughts and memories. Experiential therapies reduce the risk of relapse by building and encouraging practical distress tolerance and self-management skills.

Addiction science has found that experiential therapies support addiction recovery.

Experiential therapies support those in recovery by helping them deal with daily stressors and triggers. This includes triggers that remind them of substances, past traumas, or other distressing thoughts and beliefs.

Take hiking as an example of experiential therapy. On a hike, a group of clients must face a real-world stressor. A survival instinct kicks in to help us meet our adventure goals. By facing real-life stress, clients can learn how to overcome stress in real-time.

Learning stress tolerance and recovery – goes a long way toward managing their cravings and maintaining their recovery after rehab.

At Cirque Lodge, everything we do is client-centered. That means that we put your safety and comfort first.

We design each program to optimize your physical, mental, and behavioral health. We monitor your progress and well-being both in and out of therapy sessions. We understand that compassionate support is crucial for instilling hope for a brighter future.

We apply our experiential therapies alongside other evidence-based therapies.

This gives you the best chance of achieving and maintaining sobriety and high quality of life. If you or a loved one are struggling, Cirque Lodge is here to help.

We have a team of highly skilled mental health and addiction recovery specialists. Our team is available to give you the care and attention you need during your recovery journey.

If you would like to know more about what we have to offer or would like to book an assessment, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We know it can be hard to take that first step and reach out. Still, we will support you with confidential, comprehensive treatment delivered with care and compassion once you do.