US EditionSingle-Session Therapy Gains Ground as Mental Health Access Gap Widens
Researchers say a 415-trial meta-analysis found single-session therapy reduced depression and anxiety, while offering a lower-cost option for people facing long waits.
- Single-Session therapy is gaining popularity as a practical way to address widening mental health care access gaps, offering targeted support for those unable to commit to traditional, long-term counseling schedules.
- With traditional therapy costs rising to several hundred dollars monthly, Jessica Schleider, Northwestern University psychology professor and founding director of the Lab for Scalable Mental Health, noted that many patients start traditional care but do not return.
- Schleider's lab analyzed 415 clinical trials, finding single-session approaches effectively reduce depression and anxiety; each 60-minute session focuses on client-selected goals rather than childhood trauma.
- After trying this targeted method, Julie Hart of Springfield, Virginia, reported feeling "unstuck" and more confident, ultimately leaving her session feeling optimistic rather than committing to weekly appointments.
- Arnold Slive, psychology professor at Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas, emphasizes sessions target current client needs but are not meant to replace traditional care or medication for chronic mental health issues.
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36 Articles
Can One Therapy Session Make a Difference? Experts Say Yes, With the Right Mindset
(MedPage Today) -- Just before the holidays in 2025, Julie Hart felt stuck. A nagging problem she had struggled with for years left her ruminating all day and questioning nearly everything she had ever said, done, or could do. She was considering...
The single-session therapy that proponents say can make a real difference
Just before the holidays in 2025, Julie Hart felt stuck. A nagging problem she had struggled with for years left her ruminating all day and questioning nearly everything she had ever said, done or could do.
Associated Press News
Can a single therapy session make a difference? Experts say yes, with the right mindset
Can a single therapy session make a difference? Experts say yes, but only with the right mindset. Jessica Schleider is a Northwestern University psychology professor and founding director of the Lab for Scalable Mental Health.
At the end of the year 2025, Julie Hart felt blocked. A persistent problem pushed her to constantly ruminate, to the point of questioning her words, actions and even abilities. Rather than engaging in a classical, often long and binding therapeutic follow-up, she opted for an alternative ... Read more The article Can a single therapy session really be enough? What science says first appeared on Fredzone.
Recent research indicates that one-session therapy can be an effective alternative for those seeking psychological support. This model stands out for its focused and rapid approach, allowing clients to identify concrete strategies to deal with specific problems in a short period of time. Effectiveness of One-Session Therapy Studies demonstrate that one-session therapy can significantly reduce mental health difficulties such as depression and anx…
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