Expressive Arts Therapies
Our expressive arts program is unique in its breadth and depth and includes the following:
Art Classes - These are skill-based high school classes where girls can tap into their creativity and explore a variety of art media. Students can hone their skills on well-crafted art products.
Art Therapy - In collaboration with the primary therapists, our nationally board-certified art therapist leads weekly art therapy groups and periodic individual and family art therapy sessions. This modality, which integrates visual and verbal processes, allows the students to explore their patterns in a concrete and changeable way. Upper-level students do a comprehensive "art review" where they can visually track their progress over time.
Recreation Therapy - Led by a nationally certified and licensed recreation therapist, our rec therapy groups are not just play time! Girls take part in directed "tasks" that expand their problem solving, relationship skills, group dynamics and individual awareness. These are not recreational outings but true therapeutic experiences designed to deepen awareness and insight.
Individual Expressive Therapy - Each student has an individual session using one of the following every few weeks:
- Art Therapy - Students work with the art therapist to explore and deepen patterns of awareness they are gaining in individual and family therapy.
- Recreation Therapy - Students and visiting family members are given individual recreation assignments to help the family practice important skills.
- Sand Tray Therapy - Students work with the Recreation Therapist using the sand tray to create a world in which they can explore and resolve internal or external conflicts and patterns.
- Emotional Release Processing - Students work with a licensed therapist to explore negative messages they hold about themselves and release the associated feelings.
Open Studio - Each week, time is set aside for students to choose art, music, or dance and attend a 1 ½ hour studio where they can work on their own projects with staff guidance. This self-directed time builds coping skills and self-discipline that the students will take with them after they leave La Europa.
Art Studio - Students may work to develop a portfolio or expand their artistic expression through a studio class led by a certified art educator.
Yoga - Students participate in yoga class each week in order to help them increase awareness of their body and expand their somatic understanding.
Music Therapy - Our music therapist works with the girls each week using rhythm, sound, and composition to help students learn self-regulation and increase self-awareness.
Community Exploration - With our location near downtown Salt Lake City, our students have many opportunities to experience art, music, theater, and other activities in our community. These outings provide both the enjoyment of participation and an understanding of how the arts reflect personal and cultural experience.
Individual Lessons - Students who wish to take private lessons in voice, dance, an instrument or another skill may do so once they achieve a certain level in the program.
Fine Arts Festival - Students present, exhibit, and perform their best work on a local stage during Parent Weekend. This combination talent show and art exhibit showcases the excellent work that students create in collaboration with teachers, private instructors, and during community outings. Fine Arts Festivals include music and dance performances, monologues and skits, runway fashion shows, art pieces in every medium imaginable, videos, slide shows, and more. Students are held to a high standard so that the Fine Arts Festival always reflects excellence.