Single Point of Access (SPA) for Mental Health and Well-being

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? 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.