EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT

Experiential Therapy produces extraordinary results for patients suffering from mental health illness and addiction. Along with our first-hand experience, dozens of in-depth studies show its effectiveness and the lasting difference it can make in people’s lives.

group of people in life jackets enjoying a boat trip as part of an experiential therapy program
group of people in life jackets enjoying a boat trip as part of an experiential therapy program
two women smiling while making pottery in an experiential therapy session
two women smiling while making pottery in an experiential therapy workshop

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect to engage in dynamic, hands-on activities that uncover and help overcome underlying causes of mental health and addiction challenges. From outdoor adventures to creative arts, these programs are designed to facilitate self-awareness, emotional healing, and lasting change.

HOW IT WORKS

The process is led by skilled professionals who blend therapeutic activities with clinical treatment techniques. Participants are guided through a series of purposefully designed experiences, which are integrated with traditional counseling methods to treat underlying mental health and addiction issues.

young woman bonding with a horse in an equine-assisted therapy session to alleviate negative emotions
young woman bonding with horse in equine-assisted therapy session

EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY WORKS

Along with our teams’ decades of experience with successful Experiential Therapy programs, medical studies, and research show that Experiential Therapy is highly effective in treating both mental health and addiction disorders, outperforming traditional and other talk therapy treatments typically offered by other treatment providers. Review the research findings below to see for yourself.

OVERCOMING PTSD, ANXIETY, & DEPRESSION

Experiential Therapy reduces PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, improving the quality of life for those suffering from mental illness.1

RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Research reveals positive impacts of Experiential Therapy to help facilitate recovery and resilience in substance abuse patients.2

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ART THERAPY

Research shows the positive effect of this method of therapy as a meaningful intervention for individuals with psychosis and mental health disorders.3

HELPING PATIENTS OVERCOME CHALLENGES

Experiential Therapy is highly effective with adolescents and youth overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.4

EQUINE THERAPY PROGRAMS

Equine-assisted therapy offers a powerful and effective approach that uses patient interaction with horses to treat mental health and addiction challenges 5

TREATING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Experiential Treatment is more therapeutic and less stigmatizing than traditional therapy, with positive and lasting outcomes for mental health patients.6

REVERSE DAMAGE FROM DRUG ABUSE

Art therapy was found to be a valuable treatment for opioid and substance abuse and neurological damage reversal.7

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION

Studies show that closed-group narrative therapy is effective in treating depression through problem-solving skills development and social connections.8

MUSIC LOWERS CRAVINGS and BOOSTS RECOVERY

Music therapy is an effective method of lowering cravings and boosting motivation for recovery in substance use disorder patients. 9

FASTER and BROADER IMPROVEMENTS

Experiential Therapy for mental health patients is an effective way to achieve faster and broader improvements.10

ANIMAL THERAPY HELPS TREAT ADDICTION

Animal therapy helps improve social skills, reduces cravings, and lowers anxiety and depression in drug addiction patients.11

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES HELP ADOLESCENTS

Powerboating, sailing, and other outdoor activities have consistently demonstrated positive results with vulnerable youth struggling with addiction.12

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE

Simply reach out to our admissions team for a free consultation. Everything is private and confidential. We’re here to help, answer questions, and listen. Calls are answered 24/7.

CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

We work with most insurance providers in the U.S. to provide the best possible coverage and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

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allegiance
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TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE

Simply reach out to our admissions team for a free consultation. Everything is private and confidential. We’re here to help, answer questions, and listen. Calls answered 24/7.

TYPES OF EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIES

Patients can engage in outdoor experiences that provide unique opportunities for personal growth and healing, such as equine therapy, ropes courses, backpacking, day-hiking, canoeing, fly-fishing, rock climbing, ziplining, whitewater rafting, solo camping, mountain biking, and boating, as well as creative therapies such as role-playing/acting, art therapy, music, and animal care.

group enjoying campfire and marshmallows, using therapeutic methods outdoors.
friends roasting marshmallows and enjoying a fireside chat at a therapeutic outdoor retreat
hikers crossing a bridge in the mountains as part of an adventure therapy excursion for mental healing
hikers crossing a bridge in the mountains as part of an adventure therapy excursion

WHAT EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH

Experiential Therapy addresses underlying drivers of mental health and addiction challenges such as childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect, social isolation or loneliness, discrimination, social disadvantage, poverty or debt, bereavement, stress, peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance. This therapy is especially beneficial for those seeking a more effective way, compared to other methods, of treating drug, alcohol, and mental health issues.

BENEFITS OF EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY

Out of the serene Montana landscape, we offer dynamic, evidence-based therapy that differs from static treatment options. These immersive, action-based sessions provide immediate therapeutic benefits and equip patients with skills and insights for long-term success and emotional resilience, making them a powerful tool for sustainable recovery and personal growth.

friends laughing and paddling in a canoe, participating in a water-based group therapy
friends laughing and paddling in a canoe, participating in a water-based group therapy

TREATMENT OPTIONS

We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to recovery. That’s why we offer a range of personalized treatment options.
Choose the path that empowers your journey:

happy man engaging in uplifting group therapy discussion

EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY

Participate in innovative therapeutic activities such as equine and art therapy to facilitate emotional healing and personal growth. These hands-on experiences help individuals reconnect with their inner selves.

cheerful man at group counseling, surrounded by supportive peers

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

Navigate recovery with flexible daytime or evening therapy sessions designed to fit around your schedule. This adaptable option provides ongoing support as you rebuild your life outside treatment.

individual in an online therapy session on a tablet with a counselor

TELEHEALTH TREATMENT

Embrace healing from the comfort of your own space. Connect with experienced therapists and participate in personalized sessions virtually, making quality care accessible wherever you are.

BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR LASTING CHANGE

At BIG SKY Treatment, we offer more than just treatment; we offer a chance at a new beginning. Let us help you lay the groundwork for a life free from the shadows of mental health illness and addiction. Our dedicated team is always here to provide guidance and answer your questions—day or night.

group of hikers with backpacks smiling and trekking in a therapeutic nature program
group of hikers with backpacks smiling and trekking in a therapeutic nature program

FIND EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY
TREATMENT AT BIG SKY

Discover the power of Experiential Therapy at BIG SKY Treatment. Our diverse range of activities, from ropes courses to equine therapy, are designed to help overcome mental health and addiction problems by fostering emotional healing and personal growth. Led by experienced professionals, each experience is a step towards overcoming challenges and embracing a healthier, more fulfilled life. Experience a therapy that goes beyond traditional methods, providing long-term and meaningful change.

FULLY LICENSED & CERTIFIED

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Browse our FAQ for clear, concise answers to common inquiries about our programs and services.

Often, yes, though it may be billed as a separate treatment item rather than folded into your general outpatient program costs. Coverage depends on your specific plan and how your insurer classifies experiential services like equine therapy, adventure therapy, art, and music therapy.

We work with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PacificSource, Allegiance by Cigna, Montana Medicaid, TRICARE, and TriWest, and we’re in-network with PacificSource.

Verify your insurance online in about five minutes, and our team will confirm exactly what’s covered, including how Experiential Therapy is billed under your specific plan. Or call us at (406) 309-7500.

Experiential Therapy uses hands-on, activity-based approaches, equine therapy, adventure therapy, art therapy, and music therapy, to help people work through the underlying causes of addiction and mental health challenges in ways that talk therapy alone doesn’t always reach.

At BIG SKY Treatment, it’s used alongside psychotherapy and evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, not instead of them. It’s built directly into the Adult and Adolescent Outpatient Programs as a core clinical component that adds to your treatment plan, not a substitute for the clinical work happening in individual and group therapy.

Call us to talk through how Experiential Therapy fits into your treatment plan.

It’s grounded in real clinical research, not just an enjoyable add-on. A 2020 study published in the journal Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies found that a group experiential therapy program produced lasting improvements in psychological health. And a Cochrane Database systematic review, considered one of the highest standards of medical evidence, found music therapy helpful in lowering substance cravings and supporting motivation for treatment.

It’s important to be clear about what that research actually supports: Experiential Therapy works as a complement to psychotherapy, not a substitute for it. At BIG SKY, you’ll always have individual therapy, and often group therapy, running alongside Experiential Therapy. The two work together. Neither replaces the other.

Call us with questions about how this would work for your specific situation.

Four: equine therapy, adventure therapy, art activities, and music therapy, all integrated into our Kalispell-based Adult and Adolescent Outpatient Programs. Adventure therapy takes advantage of Montana’s landscape directly, hiking, ziplining, and kayaking, while equine, art, and music therapy round out the rest of the program. Each one is led by trained staff and built around the same clinical goals as the rest of your treatment plan.

Explore our equine therapy, art activities, or music therapy programs, or call us with questions.

It depends on the modality. Equine therapy involves working directly with horses to build trust, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. Adventure therapy gets you outside and moving, hiking, ziplining, and kayaking, using physical challenge and the natural Montana landscape to build confidence and work through fear in a supported setting. Art and music therapy use creative expression to process emotions that can be difficult to put into words.

All of it is guided by trained professionals and integrated with the clinical work happening in your individual and group therapy sessions, not separate from it.

Learn more about our specific programs or call us.

Both. Experiential Therapy is part of how BIG SKY Treatment approaches dual diagnosis care generally, addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trauma treated together, not separately.

This lines up with why Experiential Therapy is built into our trauma-informed approach generally, not used as a standalone treatment for any single condition.

Learn more about our approach to co-occurring disorders or call us.

Yes. Experiential Therapy is part of our Adolescent Outpatient Program. Adventure-based activities like hiking and kayaking are especially effective with teens, since the physical challenge and teamwork involved tend to build confidence and trust in ways that traditional talk therapy alone doesn’t always reach, especially early in treatment.

Learn more about our Adolescent Outpatient Program or call us.

No. You don’t need experience, comfort, or even confidence going in, with horses, on a hike, or ziplining for the first time. Most people who benefit from these activities aren’t naturals at it on day one. Part of what makes adventure and equine therapy effective is working through discomfort and uncertainty in a guided, supported setting, which often mirrors the same emotional work happening in the rest of treatment.

Call us if you have specific concerns about what experiential therapy would look like for you.

No, not currently. Experiential Therapy, including equine therapy, adventure therapy, art, and music therapy, is only available in person at our Kalispell, Montana location. If you’re considering Virtual IOP and experiential therapy specifically matters to you, that’s worth discussing during your assessment.

Call us to talk through which format makes the most sense for your situation.

Call (406) 309-7500 or reach out online. We start with a free, confidential clinical assessment, verify your insurance, and follow up during business hours. Experiential Therapy gets built into your treatment plan as part of our Adult or Adolescent Outpatient Program, not arranged separately.

You don’t have to have it all figured out before you call. We’ll take it from there together.

Sources

  1. Harper, N.J., Fernee, C.R., & Gabrielsen, L.E. (2021). Nature’s Role in Outdoor Therapies: An Umbrella Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health / PMC.
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8150931/
  2. Bowen, D.J., & Neill, J.T. (2016). Wilderness Adventure Therapy Effects on the Mental Health of Youth Participants. Evaluation and Program Planning / PubMed.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27311098/
  3. Arnon, S., et al. (2020). Equine-Assisted Therapy for Veterans With PTSD: Manual Development and Preliminary Findings. Military Medicine / PubMed.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32034416/
  4. Palomar-Ciria, N., et al. (2023). Equine-Assisted Interventions for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry / PMC.
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10654975/
  5. Ghetti, C., Chen, X-J., Brenner, A.K., Hakvoort, L.G., Lien, L., Fachner, J., & Gold, C. (2022). Music Therapy for People With Substance Use Disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews / PMC.
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9082681/
  6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). TIP 57: Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services.
    https://library.samhsa.gov/product/tip-57-trauma-informed-care-behavioral-health-services/sma14-4816
  7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, Third Edition.
    https://nida.nih.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition
  8. Carroll, K.M., & Onken, L.S. (2005). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America / PMC.
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2897895/
  9. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. (2024). Injury and Overdose Indicators Dashboard.
    https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EMSTS/InjuryandOverdoseIndicators
  10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
    https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report

BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

At BIG SKY Treatment, we are committed to helping you recover, heal, and move forward. Our evidence-based programs provide the guidance and support you need to break free from addiction and build a healthier, more fulfilling life. Calls are answered 24/7.

FINALLY BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

Let BIG SKY help you recover, grow, and thrive with proven evidence-based treatment programs that
empower you to break through mental health and addiction challenges. Calls answered 24/7.