Touchstone

Touchstone is a structured day program for young people aged 12 to 17 years and their families. The program works with young people who are struggling to cope with relationships, mood difficulties and impulsive self-harming behaviours.

The therapy program offers an evidence-based intervention called Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT).

The focus of MBT is supporting young people and their families to increase their capacity to better understand the link between feelings and behaviours and how they impact on their day to day lives. In this process, the young person is encouraged and supported to develop their own ability to manage life stressors and access help when and where needed. For this reason, commitment of the young person and their family to engage with the program is essential. 

Young people are referred by their community CAMHS teams for an assessment. The assessment process allows us to meet the young person and their family, to find out a little more about each other and confirm suitability for the program whilst also identifying individual therapeutic goals. Our team will strive to find a time that is suitable for the young person and their family. 

What happens at Touchstone

If a young person is accepted into the program they and their family are invited to attend an introductory group before entry into the full therapy program.

The full therapy program consists of case management, individual, group and family therapy as well as occupational therapy, community outings and creative therapies. 

Young people attend for at least three days of the week for six months, with onsite school sessions as part of the program.

Referrals

Referrals to Touchstone are through Community mental health clinics