Single Session Therapy : Support That Meets You Exactly Where You Are.

Single Session Therapy : Support That Meets You Exactly Where You Are.

Written by Claire Hill

If you’re reading this, it’s likely that something has been playing on your mind — a niggle, a tricky decision, or a wobble you’d really like to get on top of. Yet the idea of starting therapy might feel like a bigger commitment than you’re ready for right now.

But what if meaningful change didn’t always require months of sessions? What if support could be available at the moment you need it most, rather than only when a space finally appears on a long waiting list?

This is the thinking behind Single‑Session Therapy (SST) — sometimes known as ONEplus Therapy. Championed by Professor Windy Dryden, this approach is designed to be practical, targeted, and genuinely empowering.

What is Single‑Session Therapy?

SST is exactly what it sounds like: a single, highly focused therapeutic conversation. It’s not a standalone modality like CBT or psychodynamic therapy. Instead, it’s a flexible way of working that therapists can blend into their existing approaches.

At the heart of SST is a simple principle, emphasised by Professor Dryden:

Support should be offered when the client needs it — not simply when a slot becomes available.

Dryden’s research into global counselling attendance patterns shows that most people attend one session, fewer attend two, and even fewer attend three (Young & Dryden, 2018; Dryden, 2025). In other words, the first session is often the one that matters most.

This makes it essential to treat that initial meeting as a complete, meaningful experience — not just an assessment for future work.

Why CLG Counselling Offers SST

At CLG Counselling, we’ve seen a growing need for therapy that is:

• Immediate — support during a wobble, not weeks later
• Focused — centred on one issue that needs attention now
• Flexible — no pressure to commit to ongoing sessions
• Affordable — accessible for people who can’t sustain long‑term therapy

Many clients tell us they want “just one good session to sort things out.” SST allows us to offer exactly that: a practical, strengths‑based conversation that helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.

It aligns perfectly with our ethos — accessible, trauma‑aware, and empowering.

How SST Works: A Three‑Step Structure

Professor Dryden’s ONEplus model outlines a clear, intentional process (Dryden, 2023). SST is not rushed — it is structured to make the most of your time.

Before the Session: Preparation

You’ll receive a short questionnaire to complete around 48 hours before your appointment. This helps you:

• identify the issue you want to focus on
• clarify what you hope to achieve
• arrive ready to work

This preparation ensures both you and your therapist begin the session with shared clarity.

The Session: A Deep, Focused Conversation

A typical SST session lasts around 1.5 hours, though this can be shortened.

This is not a traditional “intake session.” Instead, you and your therapist will:

• define the specific problem you want to address
• agree on a realistic goal for the session
• explore your strengths and previous attempts to solve the issue
• identify what has helped before — and what hasn’t
• create a practical, actionable plan

If appropriate, you may even rehearse a solution — practising a difficult conversation or trying out a new communication pattern right there in the room.

The session is designed to feel complete, not like the start of a long therapy journey.

The Follow‑Up: Checking In

A couple of weeks later, you’ll receive a brief follow‑up call. This is a key part of the ONEplus approach.

The timing is intentional — long enough for you to try out your plan, but soon enough to keep momentum.

The call explores:

• how you’ve been since the session
• what actions you’ve taken
• what has shifted
• whether you feel stuck
• whether you want another single session or feel ready to continue independently

This follow‑up ensures you’re supported without being tied into ongoing therapy.

Who Benefits Most from SST?

SST is ideal for people who want to tackle a specific issue directly. It’s not about solving everything at once — it’s about making meaningful progress on one focused concern.

Clients often use SST to:

• make a difficult decision
• explore a dilemma from different angles
• understand someone else’s perspective
• prepare for a challenging conversation
• gain clarity during a wobble
• feel heard and grounded

Sometimes complex problems don’t need complex solutions — they need a shift in perspective.

The Ideal Mindset for SST

SST works best when clients are:

• Ready to act now — motivated to address the issue immediately
• Open‑minded — believing change can happen quickly
• Focused — willing to concentrate on one problem
• Responsible — prepared to work collaboratively with the therapist
• Solution‑oriented — ready to choose and implement a practical plan

Dryden identifies four readiness components that help SST “sing” (Dryden, 2023):

• Knowing what needs to change
• Having a strong reason to change
• Being willing to take action
• Accepting that change may involve discomfort

The Therapist’s Role in ONEplus Therapy

In SST, the therapist is a collaborator — not a fixer. Their role is to:

• help you clarify your goal
• explore your strengths
• support you to rehearse new approaches
• guide you in developing a practical plan
• encourage you to generalise your learning to other areas of life

Most of the change happens after the session, when you put your plan into action (Turek et al., 2025).

The ONEplus Promise

Research shows that many people feel genuinely satisfied with the help they receive in a single session (Dryden, 2023; Simon et al., 2012). And with the ONEplus approach, the door remains open — you can return for another single session whenever you need it.

You stay in control. You choose the pace. You decide how much support you want.

If you’re facing a specific challenge and feel ready to work on it with focus and intention, Single‑Session Therapy may be the perfect fit — offering help at the moment you need it and empowering you to continue your journey with confidence.

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. & Steinfeld, B.J. (2012). ‘Is dropout after a first psychotherapy visit always a bad outcome?’ Psychiatric Services, 63(7), 705–707. Turek, M., Lewis, S., Asai, K. & Joseph, J. (2025). ‘Single Session Therapy: Exploring global perspectives’, The Psychologist. Young, J. & Dryden, W. (2019). ‘Single‑session therapy – past and future: an interview’, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling.

The cost of a Single Session Therapy session is priced at £55 for a 1.5 hour session.

These sessions are available across Norfolk , Suffolk and Waveney.

A pre session questionnaire will be sent out before session to make the most out of ypur session.

These sessions are not open to the concession rates.

If further issues arise during session,additional counselling sessions can be booked at the normal rate.