Our Counselling Services
S.M.I.L.E. HERE TO HELP
S.M.I.L.E Counselling are here to help young people who are struggling with how they feel.
Our team aim to make a positive influence on on the lives of those who are having problems with, family or school, anxiety, depression, anger or just need to talk to someone, but find it difficult to talk to those closest to them.
We offer a range of counselling services for 11-24 year olds in West Lothian. These services include face-to-face counselling sessions at our office in Livingston and also across schools in West Lothian.
Our Counselling Services
S.M.I.L.E Counselling was established in 2015 with the aim of being able to offer a free counselling service for young people aged between 11 – 24 years old. This is based across West Lothian, within our office space in Livingston and various schools.
Since it’s origin, 1800+ young people have passed through the S.M.I.L.E. doors, and over 12,000 counselling hours have been offered. Each year, we have witnessed a significant increase in those reaching out to us for help – for example, we have already been able to offer 3449 hours of counselling and 684 drop in sessions in 2023 so far.
We additionally welcome and give thanks to our Volunteers and Counsellors on Placement who contribute to offering free counselling to young people. We currently have 18 individuals who collectively volunteer approximately 35 hours of their time each week on behalf of S.M.I.L.E.
We are very pleased to be able to provide this help to the people we have so far, and we are always looking for ways to expand our reach.
School Counselling
S.M.I.L.E Counselling first introduced a counsellor to James Young High School in 2018, and we now proudly have S.M.I.L.E. counsellors based within Linlithgow Academy, St. Margaret’s Academy, Whitburn Academy, West Calder High school, and Winchburgh Academy and most recently, Sinclair Academy.
If you are interested in school-based Counselling, please contact the school directly who will process your enquiry.
Announcement on our Referrals
Our referrals waiting list is constantly under review, and the availability for counselling changes frequently.
If you would like to enquire about one of our counselling services, please contact [email protected]
COUNSELLING FOR 11-24 YEAR OLDS
S.M.I.L.E Counselling provides a counselling service throughout West Lothian to young people aged 11-24 and who are suffering from emotional hurt and pain.
S.M.I.L.E Counselling is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and was set up to deliver the vision of a local practitioner who has worked with 11-24 year olds in various environments and backgrounds for many years.
We provide a unique outreach service in which there is no similar agency in West Lothian. With a head office centrally located in Livingston and work carried out throughout West Lothian, we feel best placed to support young people where and when they need it.
BENEFICIARIES
Our beneficiaries are young people 11-24 who are affected by mental health issues.
The organisation will work with those who are affected by any number of issues which limits them on a daily basis such as: anxiety, depression, addiction, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anger management, involvement in criminality, social isolation and bereavement.
Our primary goal is to help young people get to a good place in their lives where they feel, Supported, Motivated, Inspired, Leading to self-determination and Empowered to make their own positive choices.
REFERRALS
Our standard at S.M.I.L.E Counselling is to provide first contact within 72 hours of initial referral.
Our aim is to see clients as soon as possible. However please note that the counselling spaces will depend on the suitability and availability of our counsellors.
Emergency referrals will be taken as and where deemed appropriate by our Clinical Director.
However, if you feel you or your loved one are at immediate risk, we would encourage you to contact your local GP, the NHS out of hours service or present yourself at A&E.
GIVING BACK
We pride ourselves on being community focused.
As a Social Enterprise we will reinvest any surplus into community organisations working with our client group.