Experiential psychotherapy with sex offenders: Experiencing as a way to change, to live more fulfilling lives, to desist from offending. Psychotherapy May 2021 View Journal Publication Full Citation Gunst, E. (2012). Experiential psychotherapy with sex offenders: Experiencing as a way to change, to live more fulfilling lives, to desist from offending. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 11(4), 321-334. Abstract Experiential psychotherapy is not widely used in the forensic world. Nevertheless it could deliver an essential contribution to a solely cognitive treatment approach. The description of the problematic emotional functioning of offenders shows us why it is important to integrate experiential therapy within a relapse prevention program. Clients become aware of their experience and the meaning of it. We give an overview of different interventions that make it possible to improve the self-reflective and empathic capacity of clients. A combination of deepening interventions, structure, creation of meaning and the personal presence of the therapist is needed to overcome several obstacles in the treatment process. We will explain that experienced insight into a client's own behavior and the underlying factors that lead to the offense fosters relapse prevention. More contact with their experience helps clients to live more fulfilling lives and to fulfil their needs in a pro-social way.