Experiential Therapy The Humanistic Existentialist Movement

Experiential Therapy Experiential therapy was developed through the humanistic-existentialist movement during the 1960’s. During the development of experiential therapy it pulled from; Gestalt therapy, psychodrama, client-centered, and encounter-group movement. Within experiential therapy it pulls from the following approaches; satir growth model, symbolic-experiential therapy, emotionally focused couples therapy, and internal family systems. The thought process in this therapy is that it is indiviual and family focused, it is able to create warmth, empathy, and rapport with the therapist. Experiential therapy is also thought to be individual and family focused. Experiential therapy focused on 5 main communication stances which are the clients defense stances when under stress. These stances are congruent, placator, blamer, super reasonable, and irrelevant. These stances can help a client acknowledge or minimize three realities self, other and context. For a client or family to have effect ive change with this model they must go through the six stage model of change. In these stages a families homeostasis is knocked off balance due to event, life crisis or change. As the family is navigating trough this crisis they are in a state off chaos as they don t know what is ahead. Once the chaos has calmed then the family can look at integrating change and new possibilities. Between chaos and integration is where a therpist can be most affective in helping them too