Main: 801.268.9300 | Admissions: 801.916.5696
.
La Europa provides clinically sophisticated treatment for a number of challenges students ages 14 through 18 may be facing (see below). But we also cater to a certain type of student. In general, the La Europa student is often wonderful and capable, but deeply hurting, truly believing "I'm not good enough." They may use creative expression as a method of self-soothing or a source for expression and entertainment. This does not mean that they have to be extremely talented or proficient at any particular means of expression, merely that they enjoy participating in creative pursuits. We will use each student's natural expressive strengths and interests to help them heal.
The typical La Europa student has become lost in the challenges of adolescence. A potential student may have experienced the joys of contributing to a family, but is no longer able to access this as a source of strength or comfort. In fact, they may currently be creating significant stress for the family. A La Europa student may be able to point to a specific event which caused them to lose themselves and their direction. Or they may have had challenges throughout their life that have become more significant with the demands of adolescent development. Many of our students feel like they are "not enough": not smart enough, pretty enough, slender enough, confident enough or significant enough to be accepted. They often seek relief from feelings by using alcohol or drugs, dieting and/ or obsessive exercising, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, self-harming behaviors or other increasingly risky behaviors. Sometimes a potential student is attempting to manage overwhelming panic and anxiety resulting in progressive withdrawal from life situations or they might be trying to over control their environment. The typical La Europa student is imploding - internalizing negative feelings and beliefs and making desperate attempts at coping.
La Europa Academy enrolls female students, ages 14-17. We also accept transgender students who identify as male, but are biologically assigned female. Some of our students will turn 18 while at La Europa and have the option to stay and finish the program therapeutically and academically. The majority of students who come to La Europa have a history of depression and anxiety. They will also likely struggle with some of the following: