CERTS in the News
Thrills, Chills and Skills with DBT!
For release January 9, 2012
It might be a stretch to suggest that Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is "thrilling," but everyone is very excited about expanding the use of DBT at La Europa. As many of you know, DBT is a therapeutic modality that focuses on helping people gain more awareness about themselves and their behavior and learn skills to regulate their emotions.
In the past few years, they have been teaching students at La Europa the DBT skills in a group format. These skills include: mindfulness (which is present moment awareness); distress tolerance (which includes self-soothing, hence the "chills" in the title!); emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Once students have learned the skills, they are encouraged to use them, but this is always the hard part. Emotions take hold in the moment and students forget to use the skills or are not sure which skills to use. Often students do not recognize opportunities to use skills before the situation gets out of hand.
As the month of November draws to a close, they will be implementing more components of DBT at La Europa to help the student practice and generalize the skills they are learning. Students on certain levels will be using daily cards to track their moods, thoughts, urges and skill use. They will be setting goals for the week and identifying what they need to do to meet these goals and getting help from therapists, staff and community. And they will be using a "drill and skill" format with their therapist when they have a lapse in behavior so that they can drill down into the situation to look at what was impacting them in the moment and how to make a different choice in an emotionally charged situation.
As stated above, this is not exactly "thrilling" for the students. In fact, it's hard work. But the use of DBT has been proven effective and they believe it will continue to help their students increase their skillful behavior and decrease ineffective choices. Stay tuned for more "thrills, chills and skills" as these pieces fall into place!
La Europa Academy is a licensed RTC treating girls 14-18 yrs. They specialize in girls who have complex clinical needs and provide a vibrant and fully staffed college preparatory High School on-site.
La Europa Academy is a proud member of the CERTS programs.
Contact: Robbi O'Kelley
Executive Director
541.408.7581
robbi.okelley@gmail.com
www.laeuropaacademy.com
Moonridge Sends Parents Over the Cliff!
For release Oct. 28, 1011
Moonridge Academy girls have been gaining a lot of rappelling experience over the past few months, going on frequent Recreational Therapy Activities with their therapists and Recreation Director, Jared Robinson - a climbing expert and instructor. In planning their October Parent Seminar, the girls suggested taking their parents on this experience as well. After much advance notice, ample safety instruction and demonstration, and many release forms almost every single Moonridge parent found themselves roped in and scaling backwards down a cliff next to their daughter!
The girls were ecstatic to be able to help teach and coach their parents, and parents were nothing less than amazed at the level of courage and confidence gained in such an adventure. While there may have been a lot of sweaty brows and shaking knees at the top of the cliff, there was nothing but hugs and laughter when they reached the bottom!
Moonridge Academy, a residential treatment center in beautiful southern Utah, provides a specialized, unique learning and healing environment for younger girls ages 11-15 that are beginning to experiment with high- risk behaviors. The girls receive ample therapy and individual attention with a creative and nurturing approach. Moonridge Academy is a proud member of the CERTS programs.
Contact: Tawny Davis, Director
435.890.9180
tawnyjdavis@gmail.com
www.moonridgeacademy.com
Kolob Gets (Kid-Friendly) Scary!
For release Oct. 26, 2011
For the third straight year, Kolob Canyon has been specially invited to run the Halloween Fair at a local Cedar City elementary school this week. Three Peaks Elementary takes Halloween seriously, and the girls relish the chance to dress up and go help with face painting, running the fishing booth, haunted alley, and various other games and activities for the first through sixth graders to enjoy!
Service is a big part of the program at Kolob Canyon - and they have become masters at making service fun and enjoyable. Whether they are volunteering with disabled animals, running school carnivals, reading to elderly friends, or working with the National Parks Departments, the girls are experiencing the benefits of giving back and improving others' lives as well as their own.
Kolob Canyon is a residential treatment center (horse ranch) for girls age 14-18 in scenic southern Utah. They are relationship based, require heavy parental involvement, and work with a variety of clinical issues. Kolob Canyon is a proud member of the CERTS programs.
Contact: Tawny Davis, Director
435.890.9180
tawnyjdavis@gmail.com
www.kolobcanyonrtc.com
Mountain Springs Students Visit Paris, Normandy and the
D-Day Beaches, London, and More!
For release Sept. 29, 2011
Mountain Springs students and staff recently returned from an exciting two week trip to Europe! For this year's international trip, we chose the destinations of France and England to explore. We flew into Paris and spent the first few days there exploring the rich history, art and culture this incredible city has to offer. Highlights included: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Paris Catacombs, Versailles, etc.
After finishing up in the city, we moved out to the countryside to experience France outside of the city. We traveled to Bayeux where we saw the Bayeux cathedral, the Bayeux tapestry (which dates back to William the Conqueror and the Norman conquest) and the beaches of Normandy. The D-Day beaches and American cemetery were particularly memorable for our students as they experienced the rows of crosses at the cemetery and the bombed out bunkers and landscape that still exists from the shelling on D-Day at Pointe du Hoc. We all gained a far greater appreciation for what the Allied soldiers sacrificed in their fight for freedom.
Another highlight was driving over to Mont St. Michel and exploring the monastery and shops there. The students enjoyed the overnight ferry we took across the English Channel arriving in Portsmouth the next day. From Portsmouth we were picked up by a coach and traveled to Stonehenge, Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon (William Shakespeare's birth place). We spent two days in Oxford and explored the University and some of the unique history of that city. The students especially enjoyed learning more about Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter, both that have roots back there. We then headed on to London to finish out our trip. Highlights in London included: Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and taking in the show "Wicked" at the West End Theatre District.
Overall, the trip was a huge success and really exposed our students to new places, cultures and people. These trips are great fun but also highly educational, with each student doing research on a spot that we see during the trip and then giving us a presentation on that place when we get there. We have found that travel really opens our students up to new ideas, experiences and the ability to see that there is an entire world out there with all kinds of opportunities available to them when they make positive choices in their lives. Many of our students are already making plans for future trips to Europe!
Summer Field Trips for La Europa Girls
For release Sept. 16, 2011
Over the summer, La Europa girls took several different field trips! They visited the Tracy Aviary, the Hill AFB Museum and the Clark Planetarium.
At the Tracy Aviary, the girls were able to see hundreds of different living birds from about 130 species. Some of the girls provided a temporary perch for a toucan, and one even held an Aplomado Falcon as it ate mice bits! Each girl chose a bird and wrote about why they identified with that particular species.
They also spent an afternoon touring the Hill Air Force Base Museum. There, they got to see a collection of more than 90 intact aircraft, weapons and artifacts. La Europa girls always enjoy this museum more than they expect and were struck by the rapid evolution of aviation engineering!
Another trip was made to the Clark Planetarium in downtown Salt Lake City. The girls saw moon rocks, meteorites and an IMAX 3D movie called “Born to be Wild”. This film is about the rehabilitation and release of orphaned orangutans and elephants. Women established both centers and the girls were touched by the humane treatment of the animals.
La Europa girls had a great summer and the faculty greatly enjoys teaching such fun, talented and interested students!
Kolob Canyon RTC: "Let’s Make Pizza!"
For release Sept. 15, 2011
Kolob Canyon is never lacking in fun either. The creative geniuses that they are, Kolob therapists Heather and Ruth had the girls participate in probably their all-time favorite on-campus recreation therapy activity: making pizzas and brownies from scratch. But, there was a catch! All girls were bound together at the wrists, creating a giant line of 12 girls and no one person having independent use of their hands. Let's just say there was a lot of laughing and some "interesting" pizzas. The girls had a great time playing together and then discussing how teamwork and decision making affect their outcomes. We love how our clinical team comes up with creative and active ways to highlight important life concepts.
Moonridge Goes Hollywood!
For release Sept. 13, 2011
Hollywood would have been jealous! Moonridge Academy had yet another amazing talent show where ALL sixteen girls showed off their stuff. After a few days of rehearsals and prep - which mostly involved putting together the most outrageous costumes - the girls took to the microphone. They heard Taylor Swift songs, numbers from Wicked, even a Japanese pop song! One girl presented some of her favorite paintings and drawings from this year. Another girl shared poetry she had written about her journey. Of course, the highlights of the show were the "Call a Therapist to the Stage and Assign a Costume and a Talent" portions of the event. Tawny did some break dancing (not well, but the worm was attempted), Shannon yodeled, John did something that could only be described as Flashdance. They truly have some amazingly talented girls (and therapists - see their high-fashion photo)!
Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy Announces Greg Allred Joining Administrative Team
For release February 24, 2011
Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy is excited to announce the expansion of our administrative team at the school, adding Greg Allred as an additional Dean of Students. Greg joins Ariel Rhoades, who will continue as the other Dean of Students at Mountain Springs. Jon Larsen, Head of School at Mountain Springs commented: "We are very excited for Greg to take on this new role. This addition allows us to provide more service and support to our students and parents at Mountain Springs. The Dean of Students are integral at Mountain Springs. They are responsible for meeting with students weekly to review their MAPP plan goals and work on life skills; they update parents and educational consultants on a regular basis; and they are the link between the school and the students' therapist. Adding a second Dean of Students allows us to offer even more of the individualized care and attention our families have come to expect from our school."
Greg was born in New Zealand and raised in Utah. He graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is currently working on a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling. Greg has worked for many years with adolescents in both wilderness and outpatient programs. During Greg’s 3 years at Mountain Springs, he has worked in several different capacities at the school: as a mentor, weekend team leader, Staff Director and now Dean of Students. Since August 2003, Greg has also been working as an adjunct professor in the Physical Education Department at Southern Utah University as a Scuba Instructor.
If you have questions or want to learn more about Mountain Springs, please contact Jon Larsen, Head of School, at 435-691-0245.
Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy is a co-ed transitional boarding school for adolescents ages 14-18. We specialize in helping student's step-down from a higher level of care (residential treatment or wilderness). Mountain Springs is designed as a practice environment where students have greater access to community involvement (through varsity athletics, University classes, employment/volunteering, and other extracurricular activities) and more opportunity to make choices. It is an experiential learning environment where students have the chance to bump up against challenges and learn from mistakes with mentoring and support. We utilize a strength-based and solution-focused approach. Mountain Springs provides a small, intimate environment with a highly individualized approach. Therapy is available off-site and the minimum length of stay is only 4 months.
Moonridge Academy and Kolob Canyon - SKI WEEK!
For release February 4, 2012
Brian Head ski resort will never be the same! Last week it saw some very skilled ski and snowboard moves on the slopes, and it also saw some epic wipeouts. All of the girls did a great job and had loads of fun – whether tubing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or just throwing snowballs at the therapists. Nights were spent at a gorgeous cabin in the mountains, playing games, drinking hot chocolate, and laughing a lot. Thanks to their awesome Recreational Director, Lauren, for planning and pulling off such a fantastic event!
Kolob Canyon Welcomes New Therapist
For release February 2, 2012
The newest addition to the Kolob Clinical Team is Ruth Morrow! Welcome Ruth! With Robb eventually transitioning over to their sister program, Moonridge Academy (but only after all his girls at Kolob are done), they have been searching for the PERFECT therapist to replace him, and they have found that person in Ruth!
Ruth is an LPC and has worked in residential treatment for over ten years. She’s excited to join their team and girls, and bring her experience in therapy to the girls and their families. Ruth is a major adventurer – always camping, hiking, biking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. One of her major draws in coming to Kolob Canyon was the Recreational Therapy program and her ability to be with your girls in their activities and adventures.
Ruth lives in Cedar City with her husband, Eric.
La Europa Welcomes New Art Therapist!
For release January 31, 2011
Malissa Morrell is a nationally registered art therapist and a licensed marriage and family therapist who moved to Utah from Los Angeles. Previously, Malissa was the program director for the Expressive Therapies program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, coordinating art therapy, music therapy, and dance therapy for patients and families.
In her 8 years of experience as an art therapist, she has also worked in school-based, outpatient mental health and private practice settings. Malissa has been on the faculty of Loyola Marymount University's art therapy graduate program and has spent several years supervising and mentoring student and post-graduate art therapists. She has published articles on art therapy, resilience, multicultural issues, and group art therapy techniques, in addition to presenting at the national art therapy conference. Malissa is currently a poetry therapy intern, supervised by the master poetry therapy mentor for the western United States.
Art and poetry therapy, which combine verbal and non-verbal communication, provide an excellent opportunity to communicate and integrate thoughts and feelings. Every week La Europa students will participate in 2 art/poetry therapy groups, with additional individual and family art therapy sessions as requested by the clinical and treatment teams. By utilizing their creativity with a variety of media, then talking about the process, art and poetry therapy provide alternative opportunities for our students to express themselves and work through their core issues in a safe and comprehensive way.
Utah Food Bank Taken Over by La Europa Girls! And a Fine Arts Festival too!
For release December 12, 2010
As they celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, the students of La Europa Academy who weren’t visiting their families had a terrific time preparing a beautiful meal and working together to share in it. They also had a wonderful opportunity to give back with a field trip to the Utah Food Bank. The girls were able to assist the Food Bank and organize the donations that help the hungry in their community. This was a great venue for La Europa students to reflect on their own blessings and express gratitude for all that they enjoy. They are looking forward to many fun activities and opportunities for service as they continue through the holiday season!
Obviously, the arts are a big deal at La Europa Academy. Well, the La Europa Fine Arts Festival held at each Family Weekend just keeps getting better! The students dazzled everyone in November with all of their artistic talents. There was a beautiful display of ceramics, paintings, drawings, and fashion design books for all to enjoy. The students also created slideshows of their recent activities and photography to share with viewers. There were wonderful dance and singing performances, and an array of musical instruments including guitar, piano, and clarinet. What the talented students present next will be highly anticipated!
Kolob Canyon RTC Students Explore Arches National Park
For release October 15, 2010
Kolob Canyon RTC students recently spent three days navigating the beauty and wonder that is Arches National Park. The students enjoyed the natural beauty and majesty of their surroundings, applied their math skills to calculate the height of the arches they encountered, learned about the geology, biology, and history of the area, and spent time star-gazing over campfires, Dutch oven dinners, and smores.
Kolob Canyon RTC’s philosophy that lasting change is most effectively achieved through creating new and powerful experiences was on full display during this action packed 3-day trek. Kolob Canyon RTC students viewed, hiked to, and explored over 10 of Arches National Park’s most magnificent arches, including Delicate Arch (pictured above)--the arch the Olympic torch relay passed through for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Landscape Arch- the longest natural arch in the world.
Between challenging hikes students experienced opportunities for quiet solitude and reflection. One student shared that, “Being out there in an amazing place like Arches National Park really challenges your perspective on what is important in life. I love having time to just be with yourself in nature and not worry about all the pressures of trying to fit in with everyone around me. I definitely want to do this kind of thing when I go home.”
Students are excited about their next experiential adventure to Zion National Park and service at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary later this month!
La Europa Academy Students Featured in Salt Lake Magazine
For release October 12, 2010
Photo by Francie Aufdemorte, courtesy of Salt Lake Magazine, used by permission.
Known normally for its use of the arts to heal, La Europa Academy has enlisted help from an unlikely source, a dog! For months, the students at La Europa Academy have been working with Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA), which gives the students at La Europa an opportunity to work with therapeutic animals and their owners. The organization recently had a fundraising gala, and La Europa students worked hard to earn the opportunity to participate with some of their favorite animals. The theme of the gala was "Wizard of Paws," and the girls created a costume for one of the dogs. Students sang, one gave a speech talking about how animals made her feel at home, and collectively they helped raise money for ITA.
The students efforts did not go unnoticed. Salt Lake Magazine noted their efforts and have written about them in the online edition of the October magazine.
La Europa Girls Compete in Fundraising 5K
For release October 4, 2010
La Europa Academy girls participated in the Hogle Zoo 5K on Saturday, October 2, 2010. The race, a fundraiser to benefit wildlife in Kenya, was a great opportunity for the students to demonstrate their commitment to the La Europa ideal of wellness. They also showed off their level of fitness by placing first, second, and third place in the 15-18 year old age category, and placing second and third in the 12-14 age category!
Courtney Merrill, the Director of La Europa Academy talked about why La Europa does these monthly races and activities: "At La Europa Academy, being well is much more than just emotionally healing. Wellness--healing emotionally, physically, and spiritually--is incorporated into residential, therapeutic, and academic areas of programming. We invite each student to consider on a serious level the connection between physical, emotional, and social well-being."
Students are excited about their next race, a Turkey Trot in November!
Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy Students to go to Washington DC
For release September 29, 2010
Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy is excited to announce our upcoming trip to Washington DC! As part of our emphasis on creating experiential learning opportunities, Mountain Springs offers several, larger knowledge treks each year. These are week-long trips where the students learn history, culture, etc., all while having fun! Our Washington DC trip will include such highlights as: the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln/WWII/Korean War/FDR/Washington and Jefferson Memorials, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Archives, several of the Smithsonian Museums, and Mount Vernon. Students will earn high school credit for their participation on this trip. The dates of the trip are October 16th through the 22nd.
For more information about Mountain Springs, contact Jon Larsen at 435-691-0245.
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