SINGLE SESSION THERAPY
Are you looking to tackle a dilemma, specific issue, or seek targeted guidance without the commitment of therapy? Single session therapy is an effective option to consider.
Single session therapy a one hour session with an appropriate clinician on our therapy team that is designed to help you make sense of a difficulty you are experiencing, and provide clarity, skills, and resources to work towards resolving it.
Is this right for you?
A one off session can be helpful for lots of different situations such as:
Going through a life transition; a beginning, an ending, or navigating a crossroads
Facing a difficult decision and feeling overwhelmed by the options
Understanding problems with mood, sleep, energy or lacking a sense of purpose
Noticing that familiar unhelpful patterns keep showing up; in your relationships or behaviour for example
Needing a non judgemental space to talk through an issue with an objective and experienced clinician
Wanting skills to regulate emotions or calm the mind
If you have had therapy before, a single session can help refresh skills that have been useful to you in the past.
What to expect in your session
In our time together, we’ll:
Take a compassionate look at the problem you are looking for help with
Get clear on your goals for the session and set realistic expectations
Understand what you have tried already and what has been unhelpful or helpful
Make the most of your existing strengths and resources, as applied to this problem
Offer practical tools, fresh perspectives, and evidence-based suggestions
Develop an action plan for you to take away and put into practice
Provide follow-up resources to support you after the session and a check in email a week later
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of where you are, what might be getting in your way, and what manageable steps could support your journey forward.
Windy Dryden shares more about single session therapy in a video here
How is it different from an initial consultation for ongoing therapy?
When we meet for the first time in preparation for ongoing therapy, we will
Gather an extensive background history
Develop a shared and comprehensive understanding or 'formulation' of the problem in the context of your wider life. Instead, in a single session we will focus on what we need to know about your history that is crucial to help you with this specific issue.
Plan ahead for therapy and goals that can be achieved over a longer course of time
How to get the most out of your session
As we are meeting for a stand alone session, you may find it helpful to prepare before we meet. You may want to consider and make notes on:
How would you summarise and explain the problem briefly?
Which part of the problem feels stuck and why?
What ideas do you have about the problem and what have you tried already and the outcomes?
If this session were to be helpful to you, what would we have discussed and where would we get to? What would you be leaving with?
What if one session isn't enough?
While we aim to contain the work within one session, it may become apparent that more time is needed. In the session, we will be transparent about what can be realistically achieved in the session and what may need to be thought about at another time, or in additional sessions. If you would like to pursue additional sessions, we can discuss options with you. Following the session, we recommend you reflect on the session and learning points and put recommendations into action.
Want to talk first?
If you’re unsure whether this is the right fit, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute call. We’ll talk through what you’re looking for and whether this session could support you right now.
Sessions are available online or face to face in any of our clinic locations
In-Person: Held at one of our clinic locations
Online: Meet from the comfort of your home via a secure, private video session.