Eva Carlston Academy

At Eva Carlston Academy, adolescent girls who have struggled deeply are invited to find their unique place in the world, a passion to inspire and guide them, and a sense of purpose in life. It’s through a combination of sophisticated therapy, mentorship, the arts, and experiential learning that students at Eva Carlston heal and grow. They discover that they can succeed, take care of themselves, and love life as they journey toward young adulthood.

Unlike other therapeutic programs, Eva Carlston does not cloister students away from “real life” in order to conduct treatment. Our program takes place in three elegantly appointed houses in urban Salt Lake City, giving girls an intimate sense of home as well as access to the cultural resources and opportunities of a large city. In this family-style* setting girls feel safe, valued, and at ease. With only 12 – 16 girls per house, deep friendships develop quickly. By participating directly in all decisions that affect her house, each girl finds her own unique voice and place in this intimate community.

Eva Carlston complements intensive, sophisticated psychotherapy with a robust program of art therapy, accredited academics, life-skills instruction, and therapeutic recreation. All elements of our program are oriented toward helping girls discover and develop a passion—one that will energize, guide, and motivate them for years to come. This work can be difficult, particularly for girls who have struggled with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, but discovering “what makes me tick” is the foundation of effective treatment.

We believe that the best way to foster the qualities of a confident, purposeful woman is to model those qualities. Our female owned and operated program hires highly accomplished therapists and teachers who have proven themselves in their respective fields and share a deep passion for mentoring others. The women on our staff are experts at providing a safe place for girls to address sensitive issues such as trauma, while serving as inspiring mentors, friends, and role models. Our male team members are equally important, offering a complementary perspective and helping girls develop healthy, confident ways of relating to men.

This is a milieu-based therapeutic modality which has been validated through research to help clients achieve greater emotional health and independence by emphasizing:

• Strength-based approaches to skill building
• Problem-solving and emotional regulation
• Social-skills development
• Preparation for independent living