Adolescence is a pivotal and often turbulent chapter in life.
For teens struggling with mental health issues, trauma, or substance use, traditional therapy settings can sometimes feel intimidating, ineffective, or simply disconnected from their world. That’s why Summer Experiential Therapy for Teens at BIG SKY Treatment offers something different—something deeply human, creative, and empowering.
When you take therapy outside the four walls of a clinic and place it in the natural rhythm of summer, transformation becomes possible. Through engaging, hands-on activities such as equine-assisted therapy, music therapy, art, and nature-based experiences, teens can access healing in a way that feels both authentic and relevant.
What Is Experiential Therapy?
Experiential therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses active participation and real-life experiences as vehicles for emotional growth and self-discovery.
Unlike traditional talk therapy—which often relies solely on verbal communication—experiential therapy invites teens to express themselves, problem-solve, and explore their inner world through action-based modalities.
At BIG SKY Treatment, this approach is customized specifically for adolescents, integrating clinical goals with creative, physical, and emotional experiences that help teens reconnect—with themselves, their families, and their future.
Why Summer Matters for Teen Mental Health
The summer season offers a unique window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention.
Without the stressors of school, academic performance, and peer pressure, teens are more open to personal reflection and emotional growth. Summer also brings flexibility, making it easier for families to commit to outpatient programs that fit into their schedule without disrupting education.
BIG SKY’s Adolescent Outpatient Programs are designed with this in mind. Whether a teen is facing challenges with anxiety, depression, trauma, or early-stage substance use, our summer experiential therapy track provides a supportive and engaging space to begin healing—away from the triggers and routines of daily life.
Explore more about our year-round adolescent programs here:
Adolescent Outpatient Programs at BIG SKY Treatment
Core Elements of BIG SKY’s Summer Experiential Therapy for Teens
At BIG SKY, our summer experiential therapy program integrates a variety of modalities designed to support emotional development, increase self-esteem, and build coping skills.
Each experience is rooted in clinical intention, facilitated by licensed professionals who understand how to meet teens where they are—emotionally, socially, and developmentally.
Here’s what sets our program apart:
1. Equine-Assisted Therapy
Working with horses offers powerful opportunities for emotional regulation, trust-building, and non-verbal communication.
Teens learn how their behaviors and emotions affect the horse, providing immediate feedback and opportunities for reflection.
2. Music Therapy
Music therapy offers a safe, expressive outlet for emotions that may be hard to articulate.
Whether teens are writing lyrics, playing instruments, or simply responding to rhythms, music becomes a bridge to deeper self-awareness and emotional release.
3. Art & Creative Expression
Art activities allow teens to communicate thoughts and emotions that may not yet have words.
Through painting, drawing, sculpture, or collage, teens explore identity, manage stress, and build confidence in a non-judgmental setting.
4. Nature-Based Activities
The natural beauty of Montana plays a central role in BIG SKY’s therapeutic approach.
Outdoor activities, such as hiking, mindfulness walks, and eco-therapy, encourage physical movement, groundedness, and a renewed connection to the world around us.
Healing Outside the Usual Environment
One of the most significant benefits of experiential therapy in the summer is the opportunity to step outside the norm.
In new environments, away from daily distractions and stressors, teens are better able to examine old patterns, try new behaviors, and build resilience.
At BIG SKY, we help teens:
- Break from toxic routines and environments
- Access emotions through creative and somatic experiences
- Build real-life coping and communication skills
- Develop positive peer relationships through group experiences
Whether they’re strumming a guitar in a music therapy session or caring for a horse during equine therapy, each moment becomes a chance to practice presence, self-regulation, and trust.
Who Should Consider Experiential Therapy?
Summer experiential therapy is ideal for adolescents ages 12–17 who may be:
- Struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Experiencing social withdrawal or emotional dysregulation
- Beginning to show signs of substance use or behavioral issues
- Feeling stuck in traditional therapy or unmotivated to engage
- Needing structure, support, and purpose during the summer months
Our outpatient setting allows teens to receive high-quality, evidence-based care without full-time residential placement, making it an ideal solution for families seeking balance and accessibility.
BIG SKY’s Commitment to Teens and Families
Located in Kalispell, Montana, BIG SKY Treatment is more than a therapy provider—we’re a community dedicated to helping teens and families heal and thrive.
Our adolescent outpatient programs are built on trauma-informed care, clinical expertise, and deep respect for the unique challenges today’s teens face.
We prioritize:
- Small group sizes for personalized support
- Licensed therapists with adolescent-specific training
- Family involvement and aftercare planning
- A calm, natural setting that fosters focus and connection
We believe that healing should never feel like punishment—it should feel like coming home to yourself. That’s the heart of our summer experiential therapy.
Ready to Make This a Summer of Growth?
Summer doesn’t have to be a season of disconnection or struggle. With the right support, it can be a time of reflection, reconnection, and renewal.
If your teen is struggling—and you’re ready to explore a new path—our Summer Experiential Therapy for Teens could be the turning point you’ve been hoping for.
Contact BIG SKY Treatment today to learn more about enrollment, insurance options, or to schedule a consultation. Let’s build a summer of healing—together.
