Experiential therapy

A generic term for a group of therapies that use controlled or released emotion or “spiritual” experiences and power of conscious cognition and responsibility as the primary vehicles for inner growth and self-actualization. Included are 1) emotional-release therapies that are usually short term and intense (encounter group therapy, gestalt therapy, primal scream therapy) and may emphasize body contact as the most direct vehicle for the release of emotional and muscular tensions (bioenergetic psychotherapy, rolfing); 2) emotional-control therapies that focus on gaining greater control over the body through training (yoga, transcendental meditation, tai chi, and chi kung); 3) religious and inspirational therapies (faith healing, christian science); and 4) cognitive-emotional therapies such as albert ellis’s (1913–2007) rational-emotive psychotherapy and william glasser’s (1925–) reality therapy. Many of these therapies are not considered to constitute standard or accepted psychiatric treatment.


 


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