Supports Available via Single Point of Access

What is it? In a counselling session, a counsellor will listen to what a young person wants to talk about. There is usually little direction from the counsellor though they may ask questions and sessions are young person led. The counsellor's role is to listen without judgement and then help the young person to better understand what they are going through, explore possible solutions and  they can also provide advice and guidance if the young person wants this.  Walk-in appointments can be organised via Guidance Teachers with any of our school counsellors. Young people will be able to meet their counsellor and get a sense of whether counselling feels like a good fit for them before going ahead with weekly sessions. Counsellors tend to work with young people for about 10-12 sessions. 

Who can Access it? Counsellors are available to every child and young person in East Lothian, between the age of 10 and 18. Counselling can be provided in school and this is where most young people access their sessions. The service can be delivered in community spaces however, for those that are finding it challenging to be in school or simply want their sessions to be somewhere else. 

Typical Criteria. The triage team will usually allocate counselling where the young person is describing difficulties that originate from difficult experiences, peer or family relationships,  past traumas or challenges that are complex and multi-faceted. 

What to include if referring: If a child or young person you are working with is looking for counselling please describe in as much detail as you can, what the difficulties are that the young person is hoping to get help with. If there are difficult past experiences that are significant to the challenges the young person is facing, these are useful to include however, if the young person doesn't want to disclose what these are in the form and just wants to talk to the counsellor about these things, that is ok. 

What is it? Art therapy uses art as the primary mode of expression, alongside talking with an art therapist. It aims to reduce distress and improve social, emotional and mental health by promoting insight, self-compassion and a sense of agency and self-worth.

During art therapy, you are supported by an art therapist to use art to express and articulate often complex thoughts and feelings through art making. This may be following difficult or traumatic experiences which may be hard to talk about. Art Therapy usually lasts about 12 sessions but this can be extended if required. 

Who can Access it? Art Therapy is available to every child and young person in East Lothian, between the age of 5 and 18. Art Therapy can be provided in school and this is where most young people access their sessions. The service can be delivered in community spaces however, for those that are finding it challenging to be in school or simply want their sessions to be somewhere else. 

Typical Criteria. The triage team will usually allocate Art Therapy where there are reasons why a child or young person might find it difficult to articulate their difficulties verbally. This can be because of their age and stage of development, because they may have a condition that makes verbal communication more difficult or they are affected by traumas that originate early in childhood, before they had verbal communication. Art Therapy can be particualy effective for children and young people with care experience. 

What to include if referring: If a child or young person you are working with is looking for Art Therapy please describe in as much detail as you can, what the difficulties are that the young person is hoping to get help with. If there are difficult past experiences that are significant to the challenges the young person is facing, these are useful to include however, if the young person doesn't want to disclose what these are in the form and just wants to talk to the counsellor about these things, that is ok.  It is also helpful to have a sense of what the young person/family/school are hoping the impact of the therapy might be. 

What is it?  Play Therapy is a type of therapy where play and art materials are used as the main way for people to express themselves. Using play in therapy helps people to express themselves in their own way; especially if they are struggling to understand how they are feeling, or are finding it hard to put their experiences into words. Play Therapy can be a particularly helpful approach for children in need of therapeutic support.

In Play Therapy sessions, children explore their own creativity and express themselves using media such as: drawing and painting, water and clay, sand tray and miniatures, guided imagery and relaxation techniques, drama and puppetry, poetry, movement and music.  (PTUK)

Who can Access it? Play Therapy is available to P1 - P6 in East Lothian, aged 5-10. Play Therapy can be provided in school and this is where most young people access their sessions. The service can be delivered in community spaces however, for those that are finding it challenging to be in school or simply want their sessions to be somewhere else. 

Typical Criteria. The triage team will usually allocate Play Therapy where there are reasons why a child or young person might find it difficult to articulate their difficulties verbally. This can be because of their age and stage of development, because they may have a condition that makes verbal communication more difficult or they are affected by traumas that originate early in childhood, before they had verbal communication. Play Therapy can be particualy effective for children and young people with care experience. 

What to include if referring: If a child or young person you are working with is looking for Play Therapy please describe in as much detail as you can, what the difficulties are that the young person is hoping to get help with. If there are difficult past experiences that are significant to the challenges the young person is facing, these are useful to include however, if the young person doesn't want to disclose what these are in the form and just wants to talk to the counsellor about these things, that is ok.  It is also helpful to have a sense of what the young person/family/school are hoping the impact of the therapy might be. 

What is it? The Mental Health Youth Work Team are trained to deliver specific mental health interventions to children and young people. They youth work based engagement approaches to deliver bespoke programmes which aim to help young people with anxiety, low mood and general wellbeing. 

Who can Access it? Any child or young person who lives in East Lothian can access support from a Mental Health Youth Worker. A request for assistance should be made via Single Point of Access and the triage team will consider if Mental Health Youth Work is a good fit to the presenting needs. 

Typical Criteria. Young people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, low mood or having difficulties with various aspects of wellbeing such as sleep, exam stress, peer relationships etc. could be appropriate for work with a Mental Health Youth Worker. If you are unsure, please contact one of the team using the details below. 

What to include if referring: 

Things to consider include:- 

• • • How long has the difficulty been affecting them? 

    • How do the difficulties present? (shortness of breath, panic attack, sweating, body sensations)

    • How is it affecting their day to day life? (at home, in school and in the community)

    • What specific situations are causing them difficulties?

    • What would their goals be in terms of improvement? What would they like to be different or be able to do after getting support?

There are times when the team might not feel like the situation meets criteria for an intervention such as counselling or therapy. This can be because we feel the young person and/or family might find their needs met by accessing some of the great resources and self help we can point them towards. 

Please know that this outcome does not mean we don't take the difficulties seriously, it simply means that we think the young person/family have the capacity to improve things without the need for a professional intervention. 

Managing difficulties and improving things themselves, with some useful tools and resources can be extremely empowering for a young person and a family. There are great benefits to making desired changes with your existing strengths and supports and it also helps us to make sure that our more intensive interventions like counselling and therapy are allocated to those who need these most. 

If difficulties persist even after engaging with the recommended resources, we will always happily consider a new request.