Different Programs for Different Girls
The girls we serve are people, not diagnoses. Our girls may come in with issues like depression, bipolar, learning disabilities, or an eating disorder, for example, but they are far more complex than the clinical descriptions used to help diagnose them. Indeed, the differences between each of our girls, who often look similar clinically on paper, can be real and profound. Their unique talents and interest, how they think and process information, and their life experience makes each of them markedly different.
Why does this matter? We believe that simply recognizing the differences between them during the treatment process can greatly increase the chances of a successful outcome, avoid tens of thousands of dollars of wasted treatment money (that most people don't have to lose), and make for a much richer treatment experience.
When you are stressed or upset, what do you do to feel better? For some of us, we paint, dance, journal or write, or we may sit down and play the piano (me!). Others go hug their dog, play with the cat, or subconsciously seek the unconditional love of animals. Yet others find a ball, do things with their hands, go outside, or just want to hit something. These means of expression-of releasing what is inside us--are quite literally ways of communicating, a "language" just like English or French! These "languages" are the natural physiological pathways by which we transmit and release energy, emotion, and information and are part of what makes each of us unique.
Knowing how a girl processes pain allows us to create a unique and specialized program just for her. For example, La Europa Academy is specifically designed for the girl that intuitively uses the arts (art, drama, music) to release pain. Much more than the traditional treatment approach of possibly having a few art classes available, La Europa represents the next generation of treatment, where sculpting, painting, murals, ceramics, watercolors, photography and much more is used to help our girls to explore pain and to release in healthy ways. Psychodrama helps them gain release through acting out pain and seeing trauma from a different perspective. Dance, yoga, and the broadest offering of music in the industry all help her to find healthier outlets
Some girls need more experiential therapy, love the outdoors and physically activity, and/or love animals. At CERTS, we have again designed such a program just for them-Kolob Canyon Residential Treatment Center. At Kolob Canyon, girls ride horses multiple times weekly, participate in Equine Assisted Pyschotherapy, climb mountains, run rivers, and engage regularly in a host of specifically designed therapeutic activities in Canyon Country of beautiful Southern Utah.
Still other girls are younger and need to be in a more protected environment-a special place that recognizes the unique needs of a girl ages 12-14 (loving, age appropriate therapy without exposing the younger girls to older girl issues). Again, we have developed just such a program-Moonridge Academy, complete with miniature horses!
Every aspect of a CERTS program is designed to reach our girl more rapidly and to help her heal as completely as is possible. Why? Because WE SEE HER AS THE PERSON SHE IS, and NOT just someone who has to conform to the program.
At its core, our deepest value has always been honoring the greatness within each of our girls. That is why we are small (never bigger than 36 students), why we are loving and nurturing, and most of all, why we are so specialized. For all of these reasons, many parents over the years have said to us (literally), "I can't believe I found you! It's like you knew our daughter and designed a program just for her!" To which I can truthfully answer, "We did!"
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