Experiential therapy is a beneficial technique that uses dramatic tools and events, such as role-playing or acting, props, arts and crafts, music, animal care, guided imagery, or various forms of regeneration to re-enact and re-experience emotive conditions from past and recent relationships. The client focuses on the activities and, through the experience, begins to identify emotions associated with achievement, displeasure, concern, and self-image. Under the direction of a trained experiential therapist, the client can begin to release and explore negative feelings of anger, hurt, or disgrace as they relate to past practices that may have been choked or still delay.

These techniques, such as role plays and drawings, increase the family’s expression of affect and uncover new information. Increased affect and uncovered information stimulate change and growth in the family system. Experiential techniques are especially useful when more traditional, verbal-based communication is not effective. The client focuses on the activities and, through the experience, begins to classify emotions linked with success, disappointment, and responsibility.