Comparing Experiential Therapy To Family

Experiential therapy is one of several therapeutic approaches that are successfully used to treat families. Solution-focused therapy is an alternative approach that is quite different from the experiential approach. SFBT is a short-term goal focused therapeutic approach which directs clients to focus on developing solutions, rather than on dwelling on problems. The model suggests that therapy should focus on change promoting behavior rather than on the cause of the problem or how one feels about the problem. SFBT is very future oriented as it directs the client to establish clear goals and create strategies to accomplish these objectives. This model does not encourage an exploration of relationships or emotions associated with disappointments, stressors, or unfulfilled desires. Rather, the

The experiential approach specifically asks clients to experience being in the present which is in sharp contrast to the future oriented nature of SFBT. The experiential approach also urges the client to uncover deeper potentials which often represent painful emotions, fears, and anxieties about oneself, relationships, or being in the world. Conversely, SFBT encourages clients to ignore unconscious thoughts and feelings and to focus attention and energy on the future. The role of the therapist in the therapeutic setting of each model is quite different. In experiential therapy, the therapist pushes the clients to confront issues and actively coaches clients to explore emotions. The therapist does not offer solutions, but rather encourages the client to find their own answers during the therapeutic process. The role of the therapist in SFBT is to keep the clients singularly focused on finding solutions to current problems. The therapist redirects clients away from emotions and towards solutions. One similarity between the two models is that both the SFBT and experiential therapist act as coaches to the family