Just before the holidays in 2025, Julie Hart from Springfield, Virginia found herself feeling stuck due to a long-standing issue that left her ruminating daily and questioning her past actions. While considering traditional therapy, Hart opted for single-session counseling, where she would meet with a counselor for just 60 minutes to address her problem. This approach proved effective for her. “It helped me get unstuck, is how I would describe it, in a very positive, meaningful and effective way,” Hart stated.
Hart's experience is reflective of a growing trend among individuals who are choosing short-term, focused therapy over the lengthy commitment typically associated with traditional therapy. This form of counseling typically involves a one-hour session where a counselor assists the client in identifying specific steps to relieve a tangible issue, rather than attempting to completely solve a problem in that single meeting. As Hart noted, “Those strategies made all kinds of sense. But you can’t identify them when you’re in it.”
Single-session therapy isn’t a new concept; it dates back to practices employed by Sigmund Freud. However, it has gained traction in recent years as a solution to address the increasing need for mental health support, particularly as costs for traditional therapy have risen to several hundred dollars monthly. Even those who can afford therapy often encounter long wait times for appointments. According to Jessica Schleider, a psychology professor at Northwestern University, even doubling the number of trained mental health professionals wouldn’t meet the existing demand for support. Many individuals face barriers such as the inability to take time off work, and data indicates that the majority of people seeking mental health assistance attend only one session.
Sharon Thomas, a psychologist and director of single-session therapy at the Ross Center in Washington, D.C., highlighted the differences between single-session therapy and traditional counseling. Both counselors and clients enter with a mutual expectation of achieving meaningful change in just one visit, leading to a decline in symptoms and an increase in self-efficacy. Unlike traditional therapy, which often includes comprehensive assessments of a client’s background and experiences, single-session therapy focuses sharply on the specific issue at hand, resulting in a written plan of actionable steps for the client by the end of the meeting. “Not everyone wants to discuss childhood trauma,” Thomas explained, emphasizing the targeted, present-focused nature of this approach.
Experts consider that single-session therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals facing various challenges, from work-related issues to more persistent concerns like anxiety. Arnold Slive, a psychology professor at Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas, noted that while single-session therapy can effectively enhance the well-being of clients, it is not a replacement for the comprehensive treatment needed for chronic mental health issues. Additionally, counselors are still responsible for monitoring clients for potential self-harm risks.
Despite its limitations, single-session therapy often attracts individuals who may be skeptical about conventional therapy, serving as a gentle introduction to seeking mental health care: “It’s like putting a toe in the water,” Slive remarked. Research supporting the effectiveness of single-session interventions has expanded significantly over the past five to ten years. Schleider’s research, which included a meta-analysis of 415 clinical trials, demonstrated that single-session approaches tend to significantly reduce mental health difficulties across various issues for both youth and adults.
For Julie Hart, months later, her decision to try single-session counseling has continued to yield positive outcomes. She feels more confident and reassured, knowing she could return for further support if needed. “I left feeling so optimistic,” Hart concluded, underscoring the potential benefits of this innovative approach to mental health counseling.
