Joshua Tree Learning Centre
Multidisciplinary Learning Centre: Personalized Education and Mental Health Therapy

The Anderson household is full of warmth and love. Laughter echoes through the halls, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies often wafts from the kitchen. However, a silent struggle echoed a few years ago as Emily, the youngest of the family, struggled with her studies.

It was not that Emily was not trying, but still, schoolwork would often remain a tussle for her. Concern etched lines of worry on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson as they observed their daughter’s plight. Nights were spent in conversations, trying to devise a suitable path to help their daughter, but nothing was working out.

Their search led them to the doorstep of Joshua Tree Learning Centre, a community hub of hope and encouragement that combines therapy, education and a whole lot of heart to empower people with mental health needs and learning challenges.

Through a series of heartfelt conversations and insightful interviews, the team at Joshua Tree embarked on a journey to unravel Emily’s academic struggles. Each meeting formed a stepping stone toward understanding and illuminated the path ahead.

The team facilitated a comprehensive psycho-educational assessment for Emily. The results showed that she had an intellectual disability, a revelation that paved the way for collaborating closely with the school and creating a specialized learning plan.

The team even helped the Andersons by offering counseling sessions to navigate the emotional complexities they faced as a family. Additionally, Emily’s need for specialized tutoring was fulfilled by crafting a bespoke learning experience for her.

As the months passed, the Andersons encountered life’s inevitable trials. When tragedy struck with the loss of a loved one, the team at Joshua Tree stood at their side. They facilitated a compassionate journey through collaboration with Caring Hearts Camp. Emily found solace in a day-long grief camp, while her parents found comfort in individual counseling sessions.

Emily is not alone. The caring hands of Joshua Tree and its founder, Stacey Adelman have given many children, teens, adults and families like the Andersons the potential to thrive. A multidisciplinary, collaborative practice grounded in research, it implements exemplary learning plans for individuals with a variety of disabilities and mental health needs. The organization invests in people to incorporate a holistic, interactive and therapeutic educational philosophy.

Crafting Tailored Learning Plans and Programs

“Every child, adult, and family inherently possess the potential to flourish. However, the act of learning is unique to each individual, and traditional teaching modalities may often fail to produce consistent and positive outcomes for different people,” says Adelman. “Drawing inspiration from resilience theory, our method is instrumental in crafting exceptional learning plans and programs tailored to individuals with diverse abilities and mental health needs.”

The framework encompasses a range of services, including counseling, psycho-educational assessment, educational programs and speech, yoga, recreational programs, therapeutic groups, and language therapy. These comprehensive programs cover remedial reading, writing and math, offering homework support and organizing workshops for parents, children and professionals. The goal is to offer essential support for individuals facing emotional and mental health challenges, educational and social obstacles and family dynamics.

Applying Therapeutic Modalities

Joshua Tree employs a unique model of care—the Joshua Tree Journey—a systematic process beginning with its intake coordinator takes time to fully understand the individual’s needs and carefully pairs that individual with the best fit therapist who can meet those needs. They then formulate assessments, comprehensive plans, tutoring, counseling, and workshops to cater to the distinct needs and preferences of individuals with mental health and learning needs.

The company’s therapeutic modalities involve cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), along with other traditional approaches. For those unable or not ready to vocalize trauma, it applies alternative modalities like equine therapy or yoga-based activities, providing diverse avenues for individuals to achieve their mental health objectives.

“Our team at Joshua Tree shares a collective vision of the journey we embark on with our clients. Every clinician who joins us aligns with this vision, committed to crafting meaningful therapeutic outcomes,” says Adelman.

Joshua Tree’s close-knit team ensures that it constantly exchanges knowledge and skill sets and provides the most comprehensive support possible. For the organization, individuals are not just a client of one clinician; rather, they are part of its collective effort toward achieving optimal outcome.

Holistic and Tailored Approach to Mental Health Treatment

Joshua Tree’s diverse professionals play key roles in offering multiple unique therapeutic approaches. They collaborate with certified horse professionals and offer individual and group equine therapy outside Regina. They also provide trauma-informed yoga, led by a specialized nurse, who aids in trauma processing through somatic experiences. Additionally, they utilize art therapy, facilitated by a dedicated therapist to provide non-verbal avenues for expression and healing, with creative groups serving community needs.

Recognizing diverse learning styles, the center also partners with a parkour expert for movement-oriented learning, beneficial for neurodivergent individuals. Individual tutoring by a registered educational psychologist targets specific needs like learning disabilities and ADHD. The team also includes a teacher specializing in mindfulness through sensory circus arts, promoting mental health skills through engaging activities.

By embracing traditional methodologies like cognitive-behavior therapy along with equine-assisted therapy, the team ensures a holistic and tailored approach to mental health treatment.

Employing a Personalized Treatment Approach

Joshua Tree employs a personalized treatment approach by carefully matching individuals with therapists for their specific needs. Through comprehensive assessments, the center develops robust plans that extend beyond individual care to include family and community support.

For instance, one of Joshua Tree’s clinicians, Katelya specializes in career counseling. If, during the sessions, it becomes apparent that career-related issues are contributing to a patient’s stress, Adelman will suggest booking sessions with Katelya for a comprehensive career assessment. By collaborating and integrating Katelya’s expertise into the personalized learning plan, Joshua Tree can address these concerns effectively over the coming months.

Joshua Tree also extends its services to businesses, working closely with corporations to devise mental health plans for employees. It also offers coaching with a focus on increasing mental wellness as well as working with teams, businesses and a variety of organizations particularly in the areas of personal and team leadership and development.

The Power of Collaboration in Mental Health Support

To measure the success of therapy, the center utilizes various assessments like client and family feedback and statistical measures. If an approach proves ineffective, Joshua Tree actively seeks feedback and considers alternative modalities.

Joshua Tree showcases the power of collaboration in mental health support through its partnership with various nonprofits, schools, health districts and businesses. One such nonprofit making a significant impact is Caring Hearts Saskatchewan. The organization operates on funding sourced from a diverse array of donors and fundraisers. As part of Joshua Tree’s efforts, it collaborates with a local team to coordinate an annual Caring Hearts camp for grief. This camp serves as a vital resource for individuals seeking assistance in coping with loss, showcasing the power of community-driven initiatives in tackling mental health challenges.

One aspect of this collaboration is its innovative approach to service delivery. For instance, in partnership with Flux, the Joshua Tree team provides counseling sessions for children with ADHD in a gym environment while they engage in parkour activities. This creative integration of physical activity and therapy demonstrates a holistic approach to addressing mental health needs.

Accessible Mental Health Support
“We prioritize easy accessibility of care, ensuring individuals and their families always have a welcoming place for their mental health needs,” says Adelman.

At the core of this collaborative effort is a shared belief in the transformative power of community support. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the team not only amplifies the impact of their interventions but also fosters a culture of understanding and acceptance around mental health issues. Through their collective endeavors, they aim to dismantle stigma and pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Over the next 18 months, Joshua Tree’s focus will be twofold: addressing gaps in service provision and enhancing the quality and accessibility of existing programs. This strategic approach reflects its commitment to delivering comprehensive and effective mental health support to all who need it.

“A key aspect of our expansion strategy is the creation of specialized services designed specifically for businesses. This will provide a greater opportunity to collaborate within our own community,” says Adelman. “Recognizing the unique challenges faced by both employers and employees in various workplace settings, we aim to provide tailored solutions that promote mental wellness and resilience.”

Joshua Tree is committed to further expanding reach within the business community. It plans to collaborate with more companies, offering tailored mental health solutions that prioritize the well-being of employees at all levels. Additionally, Joshua Tree aims to continue to leverage technology and innovation to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of its services, ensuring that mental health support remains accessible to all, regardless of location or circumstance.