Touchstone

Touchstone is a structured 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.

Touchstone provides an evidence-based intervention called Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT). MBT helps young people and their families to better understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected, and how these impact everyday life and relationships.

Through the program, young people are supported to develop skills to manage difficult emotions, improve relationships and seek help when they need it. Active involvement from both the young person and their family is an important part of the program.

Referral and assessment

Young people are referred by their community CAMHS teams. Following referral, an assessment is completed with the young person and their family. This allows us to get to know the young person and their family, explore whether Touchstone is the right fit and identify individual therapeutic goals.

What happens at Touchstone

After referral and assessment, young people and their family may be invited to group sessions to start learning about MBT. After this, the young person may be offered further treatment through the Touchstone program.

The program runs for approximately six-months and may include:

• case management
• individual therapy
• group sessions
• family therapy
• occupational therapy group
• education sessions.

Care is tailored to each young person and family.

Referrals

Referrals to Touchstone are through Community mental health clinics.