Therapy is often seen as a long term arrangement, with sessions mounting up over weeks, months and even years. Not only can this make quite a serious dent in your finances, but it’s also what makes starting therapy quite a daunting prospect.

Nowadays, though, more therapists are updating their approach to cater to modern lifestyles and needs. This has seen a rise in what is called single-session therapy. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a single session of therapy, usually lasting between 45 and 90 minutes.

Rather than embarking on a therapy journey with no end in sight, single-session therapy gives people the opportunity to enjoy the advantages of therapy without the burden of a long term commitment.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of this method.

You can access immediate help

Whereas traditional therapy can take months to secure, if you’re buying a single session of therapy, it’s much less likely that you’ll end up on a waiting list. That’s because even therapists who have long term clients with ongoing appointments can usually fit individuals in for single sessions. It’s convenient for both parties!

As a result, booking single-session therapy gives you the opportunity to access immediate help. Even if you don’t have the time to tackle a big problem, you can gain quick relief from smaller issues and learn how to manage the emotions you’re experiencing more effectively.

It provides a fresh, professional perspective

We all enjoy a good vent to our family or friends about a situation that’s been bothering us. However, it’s easy to get stuck in a mental rut and go round in circles without actually achieving anything. In these cases, you’ll notice that those close to you may tire of your constant complaining about your work, dating life or friendship dramas.

Spending an hour talking to a qualified therapist about your problem is much more productive. Not only will they be able to offer you a fresh, impartial perspective on the situation, but they have the tools and knowledge to help you overcome whatever the issue is, once and for all.

The approach is solution-oriented

Weekly therapy sessions can be really helpful, but you need to avoid losing track of why you’re there in the first place. If you’re not careful, you can end up going on various conversational detours, and realise a few weeks later that you’re down hundreds of pounds with not much to show for it.

The handy thing about single-session therapy is that the time limit forces both the therapist and client to focus on one issue or goal. The approach is more structured, with the objective being that you leave the session with either a resolution, or a coping technique that you can utilise going forward.

It can be a catalyst for personal growth

People who consider themselves to be independent and self-sufficient might think that they don’t need therapy. In actual fact, a single session of therapy can shed light on a whole roster of things you can do to improve your life—with or without further help from a therapist.

You can gain valuable insights on things like how to achieve a better work-life balance, improve your communication skills, nurture your relationships or be more productive. Having a constructive conversation with a therapist gets the ball rolling, and then you can decide where you want to take it.

You can budget for it

In practical terms, single-session therapy has the benefit of being easy to budget for. You know exactly what you need to pay and when. Can’t afford more than one session that week, month or year? Not a problem! Pay for what you can, and there is no expectation or pressure on you to keep getting your wallet out.

As a bonus, you learn exactly what you’re paying for quite quickly, because it’s a one-time deal. Indeed, taking a single session of therapy is the only way to really know if therapy is right for you. If it didn’t seem worth it, you don’t have to do it again. On the other hand, if you found it useful, you have the option to purchase another session.

It's an act of self-care

When you’re on a mission to take better care of your body and mind, what kind of objectives do you set? The classics include drinking more water, cutting down on alcohol, doing more exercise and eating healthy meals. Maybe you even have your own mental health self-care kit. Thanks to the ease and flexibility of the single-session approach, you can add therapy to your list too!

Expressing your emotions and talking through issues that are troubling you is a vital part of protecting your wellbeing. Many of us don’t have the time or money to commit to a long term course of therapy, but if you can afford the odd one-off session, it can really benefit your overall mental health. Not only will you be taking care of yourself, but you’ll be in a better position to look after those around you as well.

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To learn more about the benefits of therapy in general, check out our article covering 3 reasons to start therapy.

Ready to give single-session therapy a go? Head to our services page to find out more, or click the button below to get started.

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