Single-session therapy: Is "one and done" right for you?

If you are reading this, chances are you have something on your mind: a niggle, a tough decision, or a 'wobble' you would like to sort out. However, the thought of therapy might feel like a heavy commitment you aren't quite ready for.

But what if meaningful change didn't always require a long-term roadmap? What if help was available exactly when you needed it most, rather than just when a slot opens up on a long waiting list?

Welcome to the world of Single-Session Therapy (SST), often referred to as ONEplus Therapy. Professor Windy Dryden, the UK’s leading proponent of this method, stipulates that this approach is designed to be efficient, focused, and empowering.

What is Single-Session Therapy?

As the name suggests, SST revolves around one very focused session. However, it is important to clarify that SST is not a specific "modality" like CBT or psychodynamic therapy. Instead, it is a mindset. It is an approach that lends itself to being integrated into the existing methods that practitioners already use.

The core premise, championed by Professor Dryden, is that help should be provided at the point of need, rather than at the point of availability.

Research by prof Dryden into counselling attendance worldwide reveals an interesting pattern: most often it is session ONE that is attended, followed by two sessions, followed by three, etc. (Young and Dryden, 2018; Dryden, 2025). Therefore, the higher the number of planned sessions, the lower the likelihood of the client continuing.

It makes sense, then, to optimise that first, one-off encounter to the very best of the practitioner's and client's ability. The goal is to view the session as a whole, complete in itself, rather than just an assessment for future work.

The structure: A three-step approach

The usual approach to SST involves three well-structured steps to ensure the parties make the most of their time together (Dryden, 2023).

1. The preparation before 

The preparation before the therapy session requires the necessary groundwork. Clients receive a questionnaire, and they are invited to give it good thought. This should be submitted roughly 48 hours before the scheduled session. This allows clients to hone in on exactly what they want to achieve, ensuring that both parties arrive prepared to hit the ground running.

2. The session (the deep dive) 

The session usually lasts 50 minutes, though duration can be negotiable. This is not a standard "intake" where life history is reviewed.

During this time, the client and the therapist will:

• Clarify the specific problem.
• Negotiate a realistic end-of-session goal.
• Elicit the client's strengths and look at previous attempts to solve the problem (what worked and what didn't).
• Develop a concrete plan for action.

If the client is willing, they may even use the time to rehearse a solution, such as practising a difficult conversation or a new communication pattern, right there in the room.

3. The follow-up 

This is a crucial element of the ONEplus concept. A couple of weeks later (or at an agreed time), the therapist follows up with a brief phone call. The timing is a delicate balance: it must be long enough for the client to implement the action plan, but short enough for the client to still feel galvanised to do so.

This call checks:

• How you are doing.
• How the implementation of the plan went.
• Whether you feel stuck or moving forward.
• If you require further help (which could be another single session or a different arrangement).

Who is SST best suited to?

SST can be helpful for those moments when people are ready to tackle a specific challenge head-on. It is not always about solving a complex problem instantly; sometimes, complex problems do not require complex solutions – they require a shift in perspective.

Clients might use this session to:

• Make a difficult decision.
• Consider a dilemma from different angles.
• Gauge another person’s perspective on an issue.
• Simply be properly heard and understood.

The ideal mindset for success

For this specific type of therapy to be effective, certain client characteristics are helpful. Clients are likely to get the most out of it if they are:

• Ready to act now: Keen to take care of the problem immediately.
• Realistic yet open: Believe meaningful change can happen in one session, while being realistic about what one session can achieve.
• Focused: Willing to zero in on one selected problem.
• Responsible: Prepared to take responsibility and work with the therapist to address the issue.
• Solution-oriented: Willing to select the most viable solution and appreciate the existing strengths and resources.

Readiness to change

Professor Dryden identifies four components of readiness that help this therapy "sing" (Dryden, 2023):

• Knowing what to change: Having a clear idea of the specific issue.
• Commitment: Having a good, solid reason to make that change.
• Taking action: A willingness to put in the work.
• Tolerating costs: Being prepared for any potential discomfort involved in the change process.

The role of the therapist in ONEplus therapy

The therapist’s mindset in these sessions is one of collaboration. The therapist is not here to "fix" the client, but to help plan for action. You are encouraged to summarise the session's key takeaways and generalise your learning, exploring how the solution might apply to other areas of your life.

Crucially, the results are mainly achieved outside the session as the client leaves with a better perspective and a plan (Turek et al., 2025).

The ONEplus promise

A reassuring finding from the research is that a high percentage of people are genuinely satisfied with the help they receive in a single session for a burning issue (Dryden, 2023; Simon et al., 2012).

However, the ONEplus means the door does not close. Clients are always welcome to return. You are in the driver's seat; you decide how much therapy you want and how you want to be helped.

If you are facing a specific challenge and feel ready to formulate realistic expectations for a constructive processing of your issue, Single-Session Therapy might be the perfect fit. It is about providing help when you need it, empowering you to travel the rest of the journey under your own steam.

References:

• Dryden, Windy (2023). ONEplus Therapy. Help at the Point of Need. London: Onlinevents Publications.
• Dryden, Windy (2025). An Introduction to Single Session Therapy – Windy Dryden. Video. (Accessed: 4 December 2025).
• Simon, G.E., Imel, Z.E., Ludman, E.J. and Steinfeld, B.J. (2012) 'Is dropout after a first psychotherapy visit always a bad outcome?', Psychiatric Services, 63(7), pp. 705–707. (Accessed: 4 December 2025).
• Turek, M., Lewis, S., Asai, K. and Joseph, J. (2025) 'Single Session Therapy: Exploring global perspectives', The Psychologist. (Accessed: 4 December 2025).
• Young, J & Dryden, W. (2019) 'Single-session therapy – past and future: an interview' (part of Introduction), British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. (Accessed: 4 December 2025).