SINGLE SESSION THERAPY in PRACTICE

Embedding Single Session Thinking in Practice

How much can be achieved in one session?

Dive into the transformative practice of Single Session Therapy (SST) also known as Single Session Thinking, an approach which makes the most of each encounter with clients by treating each contact, but especially the first, as though it may be the only contact. At the same time, it lays the foundation for ongoing work, if required and requested by the client.

Grounded in evidence-based methods like Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, SST empowers participants to make meaningful progress in just one session by building on their strengths and turning goals into actionable steps. Drawing from Moshe Talmon’s foundational work  that nearly 60 % of clients reported meaningful improvement after just one session, this workshop equips you to confidently deliver a powerful, time-efficient therapeutic encounter. SST is not a 'one-size-fits-all' model, but a flexible mindset that complements systemic, trauma-informed, and solution-focused approaches. It is recognised in clinical frameworks as a valid early intervention strategy. Its use is supported by the principles of stepped care, and it is increasingly incorporated into digital, school-based, and brief intervention models.

Learning Objectives

• Definition and Key Principles of SST
• Understand the foundations and mindset of Single Session Thinking (SST)
• Explore SST’s application across various contexts, innovative practices and opportunities to assist people imminently.
• Identify tools and techniques that enhance relational, trauma-informed practice in single contacts
• Reflect on opportunities to embed SST principles into their own roles and services

Outcomes

• Efficient access: Addresses long waitlists and staffing constraints by maximizing the impact of each session
• Effectiveness: Client focused, goal orientated conversations, clear client contracting
• Adaptable model: Useful in emergency/crisis settings, walk‑in clinics, public health, and coaching. Flexible alignment with client needs, cultural context, and readiness

Workshop Schedule

1. What is Single Session Thinking?

• Definition and key principles of SST
• Historical context
• Core values: every session counts, collaboration, client-led goals
• Research overview
• Application in CAMHS, primary mental health, OOHC and trauma-informed practice
• Clinical guidelines: best practice in collaborative contracting, reflection, and stepped care alignment

2. SST in CAMHS & Primary Mental Health

• CAMHS example: responding to waitlists, demand, and burnout (redesign model)
• Transformational impact of SST: improving access, staff morale, and client agency
• Real-life example/video vignettes
• SST in youth and school settings: engaging young people and families early

3. Tools & Techniques in SST

• Grounding questions and narrative/solution-focused techniques
• Mapping what’s working and what the person wants more of
• SST with carers: validation, regulation, reframing
• Skills practice

4. Embedding SST in Your Role or Team

• Translating learning into practice
• Implementation examples from suicide prevention, school/community teams, and complex care
• Barriers and enablers
• Plan – 'What could a micro-pilot look like in your setting?'

5. Reflections & Next Steps

Join us for a day of experiential learning and skill-building, designed to empower helping professionals to deliver fast, focused change, even when time is limited.

Presented by: Katy Stephenson is a dynamic, passionate, and committed Systemic Psychotherapist or otherwise known in Australia as Clinical Family Therapist with over 24 years of experience, predominantly working with children, young people, their significant others and the systems that surround them. Registered with Association for Family Therapy (AFT) and UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), she brings a deeply relational and trauma-informed lens to all areas of her work. Katy’s career spans both the UK and Australia, where she has led clinical and therapeutic practices across complex care, CAMHS, Headspace, and education settings. She is known for embedding systemic and evidence-informed model, including, Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) into services to create sustainable, healing environments for both young people and the teams that support them.She is a trained IAPT systemic clinical supervisor and places reflective practice at the heart of her work. Katy supports individuals and teams to think with clarity and compassion, while maintaining clinical care. She regularly engages in professional development to remain at the forefront of trauma-informed and systemic best practices.

Audience: for mental health, education and other professionals that apply behavioural/developmental/neuro-science and systemic thinking to their practice. 

Mental Health Professionals: All mental health professionals including, but not limited to Clinical Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Youth Justice, Addiction Specialists, Child Protection and Disability Workers, Guidance Officers, Speech and Language Therapists, Residential Care Workers and Foster Support Workers, and all other mental health professionals looking to enhance their therapeutic skills.