The Buoyant Self: A Conceptual Journey of Aquatic Relational Experiential Therapy

The core aspects of experiential therapies include feelings, perceptions, bodily sensations, and emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. Aquatic Relational Experiential Therapy (ARET) builds on the teachings of aquatic proficiencies and is defined as a therapeutic approach that facilitates individual client experiences/challenges within the aquatic-client-therapist relationship. Buoyancy within ARET contributes to a unique aquatic-client-therapist relationship where the ARET therapist must empathize with the client's perceptions and sinking doubt about whether they really can float and are buoyant/resilient. To that end, the purpose of this article is to help readers understand the conceptual approach and procedures of ARET through a detailed buoyant journey.