Teen Program - Onsite School

While your daughter is participating in Mirasol's eating disorder recovery program, she has two options for continuing with her academic studies: she can take the classes provided by Mirasol through Desert Willow Educational Services, or she can arrange with her home school to provide work to complete while she is in treatment.

Parents should make sure the home school allows students to complete courses outside their curriculum before making a choice. Some schools may approve the Desert Willow curriculum but still require your daughter to complete a missed project, paper, presentation, or test upon her return to school.

If your daughter's school will not accept Desert Willow's credits or if your daughter prefers to complete work assigned by her school, an instructor will still be available to assist her with her studies. We'll need a list of assignments to be completed while your daughter is away from school. You'll also need to supply textbooks, a calculator and other school supplies.

Mirasol is a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.

About Desert Willow Educational Services

Desert Willow Educational Services is accredited through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement as a special purpose school. Books, materials and curriculum are supplied.

Credits are earned for work completed. Most courses are .25 credits each and are designed to cover the time your daughter is in treatment. Once treatment is completed, we'll provide you and the home school with a transcript including classes completed, the amount of credit earned, and grades.

In addition to academic coursework, your daughter can earn credit for her treatment work. We offer 1.0 of a credit for Psychology and .5 of a credit for a combined PE/Health class. PE and Health can also be taken as separate classes for .25 of a credit each. .25 to .5 of a general arts credit can be earned and applied to art, drama, dance, or music. Your daughter's home school will determine whether or not to approve these credits towards graduation; however, any credits earned can be used when applying for college.

Courses Offered through Desert Willow Educational Services

English	Social Studies	Science	Math
Middle School Level Ninth Grade Tenth Grade (European) Eleventh Grade (American Twelfth Grade Creative Writing	Middle School Level World Cultures/Global Studies American History Arizona State History World History American Government Contemporary WorId Views Economics	Middle School Level Biology Chemistry Earth Science Physics	Middle School Level Pre-Algebra Algebra I Algebra II Geometry Pre-Calculus
Language	Social Science	Physical Education	Other
Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Spanish IV (Advanced)	Psychology Ethics	Health PE	Life Skills General Art Elective

Additional Courses Offered by Mirasol

Expressive Art Therapy. Within this group, the girls create art that expresses their inner thoughts and feelings through mandala work, which includes poetry combined with visual techniques. Through the sharing of their creations, the girls develop empathy for each others' experiences. During the "Check-ln/Check-Out" process, the girls prepare themselves to deal with the emotions that may arise during a session. This helps ensure that they will not be overwhelmed by their feelings. Through multiple media, the girls touch hidden emotions, increase self-awareness, resolve conflicts, create clarity, develop coping skills, and find solutions to problems. Projects include drawing, dance, papier maché, journaling; ceramics, sand painting, and poetry. 1-1/2 hours 2x/week.

Music Therapy. In this class clients learn are exposed to different types of music, tones, and rhythms so they can experience the effects on their minds, bodies, and spirits. The girls are encouraged to expand their belief systems and develop body awareness. They also come to understand how music can be used as a tool to communicate, relax, reduce stress, boost the immune system, and elevate the mood. In addition, meditation is introduced as an outlet for creativity and a method for inner visioning. 2 hours 1x/week.

Gardening Group. This introduction to organic gardening teaches clients how to plant, care for, and harvest crops from an on-site garden. They learn basic gardening and composting techniques as they connect with the process of growing their own food. The girls are also instilled with a sense of responsibility through daily garden chores. Not only do they learn life long skills, but they are empowered by the knowledge that they are capable of nourishing themselves with fresh and healthy food that they grow. 1 hour 1x/week.

Cooking, Meal Planning, and Grocery Tour. Classes in cooking, meal-planning and grocery shopping teach clients to actively take part in food preparation. The girls learn cooking skills, proper knife techniques, food safety, how to read a recipe, and how to combine foods. This allows them to work on menu development and prepares them for planning meals at home. 1 hour 2x/week.

Clean-Up. The girls are required to clean up their rooms. In addition, the girls are in charge of their own laundry. These chores help instill the girls with a sense of responsibility and build their independence. 2 hours 1x/week.

Health Group. Led by a doctor of naturopathic medicine, this course emphasizes how health education contributes to the empowerment of women. Topics include (but are not limited to) women's health, osteoporosis prevention, the consequences of eating disorders, nutrition, vitamins and alternate approaches to health care. All classes will encourage the participants to be proactive about their health. 1 hour 1x/week.

Nutrition. An introduction to the world of nutrition teaches clients about foods, their bodies, digestion and absorption, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and mindfulness. The girls read aloud, discuss topics, view and handle visuals, play games, and present information to the group. This process equips the girls with the necessary knowledge and power to take control of their nutritional recovery. 1 hour 1x/week.

Rocks 'n Ropes. In four two-hour sessions the girls participate in the experiential therapy rock-climbing group. They complete ground school where they learn to climb and traverse a 3D-foot wall, tie the figure eight, retrace safety knots, and correct belaying techniques. The climbing tasks help develop trust, aid in decision-making and following directions, build relationships, increase communication, and improve balance and muscular strength. After climbing, the girls relate their climbing experiences to their treatment issues.

Challenge Course. A low-elements ropes course is an experiential therapy designed to help develop trust and increase self-confidence, cooperation, respect, perseverance, and support within the group. In addition, the tasks enhance communication and problem-solving skills and reduce stress. At times individuals are given "metaphors" to work out, which guide them in identifying their strengths and weaknesses. 16 half-hour sessions.

Flight Into Aerial combining dance with low-flying single point trapeze. In addition to learning aerial skills, clients work on building spatial awareness, trust and cooperation.

Food and Feelings. Each day after lunch the girls share their feelings about eating for 15 minutes. They discuss how they felt while eating, what was difficult to eat or not eat, and any progress they have made. This activity encourages the girls to openly talk about eating; facing their fears and removing the secrecy.

Yoga. Clients learn basic Asana yoga forms and methods for deep relaxation. Gentle, flowing movements help increase strength, flexibility, balance, and self-control. In addition they may learn about the history of Asana postures and participate in meditation. 24 one-hour sessions.

Individual Therapy and Treatment Assignments. Each girl undergoes extensive psychological and medical evaluations. In addition, she may receive further testing for personality or learning disorders. The girls are seen by a psychiatrist twice and work intimately with their primary therapist throughout their stay at Mirasol. Assignments related to their treatment plans are completed throughout their stay. These may involve journaling, letter writing, creating a timeline, body-mapping, worksheets, and reading.

Ophelia Speaks. This group is based sessions on the book Ophelia Speaks by Sara Shandler. The book deals with many difficult issues facing teen girls today. By reading and discussing the book in a group setting, the girls can explore these topics safely and accurately. Topics include social pressures, eating disorders, body image, peers, family, pregnancy, sexuality, and relationships. 8 half-hour sessions.

Communication. Clients learn the differences between non-verbal/verbal as well as one-way and two-way communication. Through role playing they learn to express their feelings, use "I statements," problem solve, and set up appropriate boundaries. 1 hour 1x/week.

Process Group. In daily process groups, clients explore their feelings surrounding admission, body image, and their families. The girls learn to increase their body and emotional awareness so that they can better cope with difficult situations. In addition, they are introduced to psycho-education, taught relaxation techniques, and encouraged to make use of their support systems. 1 to 1-1/2 hours 7x/week.

Family Program. Each girl's family visits for five intensive days to integrate the recovery process within the family. The girls and family members complete treatment assignments to share both individually and as a group. The assignments prepare the girls to deal with confrontations, express appreciation, and create boundaries. The group and therapists provide feedback to each family and teach the family how to reinforce the skills acquired during this program. Through this intense sharing process, many issues are brought to light and addressed, and the healing process can begin for the family as a whole.

Sexuality and Relationships. This class helps Mirasol clients to identify their unhealthy patterns, co-dependency issues, and core beliefs regarding sex. The girls participate in art projects that allow them to express and develop a healthy sense of their own sexuality. They also present timelines depicting their past and present relationships. These activities encourage the girls to create a healthy meaning for sex, to release shame associated with sex, and to create a more positive sexual identity. 2 hours 1x/week.

Dual Diagnosis. Clients learn the criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia, bulimia, chemical addiction, and depression. The girls also are educated about the interactions between these different disorders. 1-1/2 hours 1x/week.

Coping Skills. Using multiple tools such as art, exercise, and relaxation techniques, the girls learn to release their emotions in healthy ways. 1-1/2 hours 1x/week.

Neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is based on the principle that individuals exhibit unique psycho-physiological patterns that reflect the stress and trauma they have experienced. Neurofeedback provides a means of gaining control over bodily processes without medication. The girls learn specialized skills that allow them to self-soothe and self-regulate. Benefits include clearer thinking and stress reduction. 45 min. 4x/week.