Counseling
When your child needs extra support, we’re here to help. Our therapeutic services provide safe, caring spaces where students can express themselves, build resilience and develop the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges with confidence. With a small student-to-counselor ratio and 11 trained professionals serving our student body, we’re able to provide personalized support and build meaningful relationships with students.
Play Therapy
Play is a natural way for children to express their thoughts and feelings. Through play therapy, students have a safe, supportive space to work through challenges, build confidence and learn healthy ways to communicate, solve problems and manage emotions.
Play therapy can help children who are adjusting to difficult life experiences, coping with big changes or facing challenges at school or with friends. Whether a child is experiencing anxiety, grief, anger, trauma or other emotional or behavioral concerns, our caring team provides individualized support to help them heal, grow and thrive.
Art Therapy
Art gives children another way to express thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to put into words. Through art therapy, students can explore their emotions in a safe, supportive environment while building confidence, creativity and healthy coping skills.
Art therapy helps students strengthen self-esteem, develop emotional resilience and improve communication and social skills. Guided by caring professionals, children use the creative process to better understand themselves, work through challenges and continue growing in positive, healthy ways.
Equine Therapy
For the Lakota people, the šúŋkawakȟán (horse) is more than an animal—it is a respected relative, trusted companion and symbol of strength, courage and healing. At St. Joseph’s Indian School, our equine therapy program honors this tradition by helping students build confidence, process emotions and develop healthy coping skills through meaningful interactions with horses.
Equine therapy provides a calm, supportive environment where students can heal from difficult experiences, reduce anxiety and strengthen emotional well-being. Having horses on campus allows more students to participate in therapy sessions while also connecting them to Lakota culture through family events, camps and powwow celebrations.
Crisis Support
When a student is facing serious emotional challenges, our counselors are here to provide compassionate, individualized support. Using an evidence-based approach called Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), we work closely with students to understand what they are experiencing, help them feel heard and create a plan that supports their safety and well-being.
Throughout the process, we stay connected with students and their families, offering ongoing care and encouragement every step of the way. Our goal is to provide hope, build resilience and help every child move forward with confidence and support.
