The aim of the article is to focus on another phase of Single Session Therapy which is fundamental
for maximizing the effectiveness of the method and giving the client the opportunity to
concretely experience what he has learned in the session. Furthermore, in the article, a specific way will be
briefly presented to facilitate this process of reflection-digestion-action , typical of Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) integrated into the Single Session (Dryden, 2017).
What needs does this specific reflection-digestion-action phase of TSS respond to?
One of the most widespread ways of conceptualizing TSS is that of “One-At-A-Time” therapy (OAAT) in Italian “One at a time” (Hoyt, 2011). According to this way of proceeding, the client is informed from the beginning that the therapist will work with him to address the problem presented, with the opportunity to book further sessions, but only one at a time . This approach, used for example in some walk-in clinics , reduces the formation of waiting lists and allows the client to use the time after the session to reflect on what they have learned, to “digest” the learning and put it into practice. After this period of time, the customer can decide whether he needs further help.
Let’s discover the phases of this process together!
- Reflection and digestion: in OAAT, after the session it is essential that clients reflect and assimilate what they have learned from the single session. This can be done privately or with the support of your therapist. In this reflection process the customer can imagine how to apply the chosen solution or how to experiment with other solutions.
- Action: The therapist encourages the client to take action and implement the solution to the problem discussed in the session and, if necessary, other problems.
- Allow time to pass: After an active period of reflection, digestion and action, the client can be invited to sort out the issues faced, allowing a space of time to see whether or not he needs further help.
- Decision: The client knows they can return for another session if they need it. Knowing this means they may or may not decide to take advantage of this offer, particularly if the customer is well (Dryden, 2017).
Conclusions
To conclude, today’s article highlighted the importance of encouraging the client to experience the learning that occurred in the session . This allows the person to proceed independently and immediately implement the solutions identified and shared with the therapist, overcoming the reported difficulties in the shortest possible time. Furthermore, another fundamental aspect that emerged is that the time of experimentation offers the client the opportunity to evaluate his need more carefully and decide more clearly on his possible future request for help.
Angelica Giannetti
Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Team of the Italian Center
for Single Session Therapy
Bibliography
Cannistrà, F., & Piccirilli, F. (2018). Single Session Therapy: Principles and Practices . Giunti Editore.
Dryden, W. (2019). Single – Session Therapy. Routledge.
Hoyt, M. F., & Talmon, M. (Eds.). (2014). Capturing the moment: Single session therapy and walk-in services. Crown House.