In today’s article, we will discuss a study that evaluated the effectiveness of Single Session Therapy (SST) with pediatric patients presenting neurological disorders (ND) and their families. The research examined self-efficacy, distress, anxiety, therapeutic alliance, and client satisfaction regarding the SST intervention received for specific needs (Mulligan, Olivieri, Young, Lin, Anthony, 2022).
Why is it important to know about this study?
Currently, this is the first study that has examined the use of SST in a pediatric hospital, providing a contribution to the empirical literature exploring the implementation and evaluation of Single Session Therapy in pediatric healthcare.
Which study are we talking about?
The study, conducted in 2013 at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), involved the delivery of the Neurology Social Work Single Session Clinic (NSWSSC), a Single Session Therapy intervention provided by social workers on an appointment basis to pediatric patients with neurological disorders (ND) and their families.
What are Neurological Disorders (ND)?
Neurological disorders (ND) are a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the nervous system, including headaches, strokes, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, and movement disorders. Approximately one in six children may have an ND, often showing difficulties with speech, motor skills, learning, and emotional regulation. This leads to an emotional burden for patients and their families, causing psychosocial challenges and impacting quality of life related to health.
Now let’s focus on the study!
The study focused on the following two research questions:
- Does SST, as an intervention integrating brief and narrative therapeutic models, impact self-efficacy, distress, anxiety, therapeutic alliance, and client satisfaction in pediatric patients with ND and their families?
- What are the experiences of patients and families using SST, and how do they perceive SST in meeting their needs?
The study
The study design involved mixed methods, including both quantitative data collection via standardized questionnaires and qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews.
Interviews were conducted with 135 participants, including patients, parents, and siblings from various neurological conditions.
What data was collected?
Quantitative data
Self-efficacy and anxiety scores in children, as well as distress and anxiety in adults, significantly improved after SST. Specifically, the changes in anxiety in adults remained significant from five to seven weeks after the single intervention.
Qualitative data
The seventeen participants who took part in the 12 semi-structured interviews also stated that SST:
- Was a missing piece in ongoing clinical care: Many participants found the therapeutic relationship with their social worker unique and noted that it was not always present in meetings with other healthcare providers. Many participants observed that the collaborative approach with the social worker seemed to be a shift from traditional medical assessments.
- Highlighted existing strengths and resilience: Using SST as a strengths-based therapeutic approach allowed patients and families to identify existing competencies, encouraging them to apply these skills to current problems. The collaborative nature of SST also allowed participants to pinpoint urgent needs, focusing on small and achievable goals. This encouraged many participants to imagine and pursue their goals with increasing momentum and motivation.
- Had a lasting impact beyond the single session: Specifically, participants highlighted how the strengths-based approach encouraged a future-focused outlook, increasing motivation to continue working towards goal achievement.
Conclusions
As an innovative approach to clinical practice, SST may be particularly suited for patients with Neurological Disorders and their families. Pediatric patients with ND require ongoing management of symptoms that can cause significant emotional burden and stress. Single Session Therapy, by drawing on the patients’ existing competencies, could therefore represent a promising treatment option to support both the short- and long-term concerns of patients with ND and their families.
Angelica Giannetti
Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Team of the Italian Center for Single Session Therapy
Bibliography
CannistrĂ , F., & Piccirilli, F. (2018). Single Session Therapy: Principles and Practices. Giunti Editore.
Mulligan, J., Olivieri, H., Young, K., Lin, J., & Anthony, S. J. (2022). Single session therapy in pediatric healthcare: the value of adopting a strengths-based approach for families living with neurological disorders. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health, 22;16(1):59.