Reinventing clinical roles and space at school

Recognizing both the need for youth-focused acute mental health services and the barriers for low-income families to access outside services, the RALLY Program expanded its services to include direct clinical services for students within the school setting. This article explores the challenges, strategies, and benefits of implementing a fluid range of formal and informal clinical interventions within RALLY's nonstigmatizing, developmental, and inclusive approach. Balancing insurance company demands with students' nonbillable needs requires diverse funding streams and responsive programming. Creative use of space, commitment to relationships, and flexibility of roles form the foundation of this approach. Through case studies, the author examines practical and creative applications of developmental theories adaptable to individual students' unique needs. The author concludes with recommendations to the field to strengthen nonstigmatizing services offered to address the holistic needs of youth at school.