What is Single Session Therapy?

This article delves into the definition, historical and theoretical foundations, evidence base, and clinical applications of single session therapy (SST).

Related articles: What is Compassion-Focused Therapy?, What is Psychodynamic Therapy?, What is Metacognitive Therapy?

Introduction

Single session therapy (SST) is an emerging and dynamic approach within the field of mental health, where a single, focused session is designed to address a client’s immediate needs and provide effective interventions. Unlike traditional therapeutic models that may span weeks, months, or even years, SST offers an opportunity for clients to derive meaningful benefits from just one meeting with a clinician. This does not mean that SST is a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a flexible and intentional modality that prioritises efficiency and responsiveness.

In a world where mental health services are increasingly strained due to rising demand and limited resources, SST has gained traction as an effective way to deliver high-quality care to a broader range of individuals. This article delves into the definition, historical and theoretical foundations, evidence base, and clinical applications of SST, supplemented with practical case examples.

Defining single session therapy (SST)

Single session therapy is a structured therapeutic encounter designed to achieve measurable outcomes within one session. While follow-up sessions may be offered if necessary, the guiding philosophy is to treat each session as potentially complete in itself. SST focuses on the client’s presenting issues, offering immediate solutions or strategies rather than engaging in prolonged exploration.

Central to SST is the belief that meaningful change can occur within a short time frame. The session is highly collaborative, goal-oriented, and underpinned by evidence-based techniques drawn from broader therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), and motivational interviewing.

Historical and theoretical background

The origins of SST date back to the 1960s and 1970s when the demands for more accessible and efficient mental health services started to grow. The approach was significantly influenced by the work of Dr. Moshe Talmon, who co-authored Single-Session Therapy: Maximising the Effect of the First (and Often Only) Therapeutic Encounter in 1991. Dr. Salmon’s research demonstrated that a significant proportion of clients only attend one session of therapy, whether by design or circumstance, and yet report improvements in their mental health.

The theoretical underpinnings of SST are rooted in several psychological models:

1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): SST borrows from SFBT’s emphasis on identifying solutions rather than dissecting problems. Clients are guided to envision their desired outcomes and work collaboratively with the therapist to develop actionable steps.
2. Humanistic Principles: SST embraces the humanistic belief in the client’s innate capacity for growth and self-directed change. The session’s structure fosters empowerment and self-efficacy.
3. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Practical and goal-oriented, SST often integrates CBT techniques such as reframing, thought challenging, and behavioural activation to address the client’s immediate needs.
4. Crisis Intervention Models: SST aligns with crisis intervention strategies, providing immediate support and coping mechanisms for acute distress.

Evidence base for single session therapy

Numerous studies have evaluated the efficacy of single session therapy, particularly in comparison to longer-term therapeutic interventions. While SST is not a replacement for ongoing therapy in complex cases, evidence indicates that it can be highly effective for specific client populations and presenting issues.

1. Effectiveness across client groups: A review of research and clinical literature by Bloom (2001) found that SST is effective for intrapsychic difficulties, interpersonal conflicts, and as an adjunct treatment for medical disorders, and has been shown to be useful for the treatment of children and adolescents as well as adults.  In some cases. SST’s brevity does not compromise its impact, provided the session is well-structured and client-centred.
2. Cost-effectiveness and accessibility: SST has proven to be a cost-effective model for mental health services. A study by Hoyt, Bobele, Slive et al (2018) highlighted its greater accessibility (which can help to reduce waitlists) and responsiveness while maintaining high levels of client satisfaction.
3. High client satisfaction: Research consistently shows that clients value the focused nature of SST. Many report feeling heard, validated, and equipped with practical tools after a single session (Giannetti, 2022).
4. Utility in crisis settings: SST has been widely adopted in crisis intervention and employee assistance programs (EAPs), where immediate and actionable support is critical.
5. Recent developments: A recent study by Kim, Ryu, & Chibanda (2023) examined the growing role of SST in treating common mental disorders. The review found that SST can be an effective alternative for individuals seeking brief but impactful psychological support.

Clinical applications of single session therapy

Single session therapy is particularly well-suited for the following contexts:

Clients facing specific issues

SST is most effective when clients present with a well-defined problem or goal. For instance, a client seeking strategies to manage public speaking anxiety can benefit significantly from one focused session.

A case scenario: Emma, a 32-year-old teacher, attends a single session to address her fear of public speaking. The clinician employs CBT techniques to challenge her catastrophic thoughts (“I’ll completely embarrass myself”) and guides her in visualisation exercises to build confidence. Emma leaves the session with a practical plan to rehearse and implement grounding techniques during her next presentation.

Crisis intervention

In situations of acute distress, SST provides immediate relief and stabilisation. While not a replacement for long-term support, it can act as a bridge to other services.

A case scenario: Liam, a 28-year-old experiencing panic attacks after a car accident, seeks immediate help. During the session, the clinician normalises his symptoms, teaches diaphragmatic breathing, and collaboratively develops a safety plan. Liam feels reassured and more in control after the session.

Clients in transition

Life transitions, such as starting university, changing careers, or becoming a parent, are common reasons clients seek SST. A single session can help clarify goals and develop coping strategies.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Single session therapy is widely implemented in EAPs, where employees often require immediate support for workplace stress or personal issues. By addressing the concern promptly, SST helps employees regain focus and productivity.

Supplement to longer-term therapy

In some cases, SST complements ongoing therapy by addressing specific challenges that arise during the therapeutic process. For example, a client undergoing long-term treatment for trauma may use an SST session to focus on a current relationship conflict.

Conclusion

Single session therapy is a valuable and efficient approach that meets the growing demand for brief, impactful psychological interventions. By integrating SST into practice, clinicians can offer timely support while maximising resources. While SST is not suitable for all cases, its evidence base and client satisfaction rates suggest that it is a useful tool for addressing well-defined concerns in a structured, client-centred manner.

Key takeaways

• SST is a structured, goal-oriented therapeutic approach designed to achieve meaningful outcomes in a single session.
• Research supports SST’s effectiveness for specific issues, showing comparable outcomes to multi-session therapy in certain cases.
• SST is cost-effective, widely used in crisis intervention, EAPs, and as a supplement to longer-term therapy.
• Best practices include collaborative agenda setting, solution-focused interventions, and clear communication of session limits.
• While SST is highly beneficial for clients with well-defined goals, it is not suitable for individuals requiring ongoing, intensive psychological care.

References

• Bloom, B. L. (2001). Focused single-session psychotherapy: A review of the clinical and research literature. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 1(1), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.1093/brief-treatment/1.1.75
• Campbell, A. (2013). Single-Session Approaches to Therapy: Time to Review. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 33(1), 15–26. Retrieved on 2 February, 2025, from Wiley Online Library https://doi.org/10.1017/aft.2012.3
• Giannetti, A. (2022). Brief overview of the main research in single session therapy. Italian Center for Single Session Therapy. Retrieved on 2 February 2025, from: https://www.singlesessiontherapies.com/blog-post/brief-overview-of-the-main-research-in-single-session-therapy/       
• Hoyt, M.F., Bobele, M., Slive, A., Young, J., & Talmon, M. (2018). Single-Session Therapy by Walk-In or Appointment: Administrative, Clinical, and Supervisory Aspects of One-at-a-Time Services. New York: Routledge.
• Hymmen, P., Stalker, C. A., & Cait, C. A. (2013). The case for single-session therapy: Does the empirical evidence support the increased prevalence of this service delivery model? Journal of Mental Health, 22(1), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2012.670880
• Kim, J., Ryu, N., & Chibanda, D. (2023). Effectiveness of single-session therapy for adult common mental disorders: a systematic review. BMC psychology, 11(1), 373. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01410-0
• Schleider, J. L., Zapata, J. P., Rapoport, A., Wescott, A., Ghosh, A., Kaveladze, B., Szkody, E., & Ahuvia, I. L. (2025). Single-Session Interventions for Mental Health Problems and Service Engagement: Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 21, 361–386. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Talmon, M. (1991). Single-Session Therapy: Maximizing the Effect of the First (and Often Only) Therapeutic Encounter. Jossey-Bass.
• Young, J. (2020). Putting single session thinking to work: Conceptual, practical, training and implementation ideas. Australia & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 33(1). Retrieved on 2 February, 2025, from: https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1426