Can I Do Just One Therapy Session?

New Building Composition, Kevin Dooley

If you’ve been feeling down or anxious, you might wonder: "Can I feel any better with just one therapy session?" It sounds too good to be true, but single-session therapy (SST) is an option some people are turning to. As the name suggests, SST focuses on resolving a specific issue in just one session with a therapist—no follow-ups required.

So, how effective is it?

Research suggests that SST can be helpful, especially for people with mild to moderate experiences of depression or anxiety. In fact, some studies show it works well for improving experience of depression after just one meeting. However, the results for anxiety are a bit less clear.

One of the main benefits of SST is that it’s quick and accessible. In situations where long-term therapy might not be feasible—due to cost, time, or logistical challenges—SST offers a more practical solution. It also helps people who might drop out of traditional therapy before seeing results.

That said, it’s not a magic fix for everyone. For deeper issues or long-term struggles, multiple sessions may still be needed. Plus, the research on SST is still growing, and while the results are promising, there’s more to learn.

If you're considering therapy but can't commit to a lengthy process, single-session therapy might be a great first step. Check my availability here to get started!

Keywords: Single-session therapy, mental health, depression, anxiety, therapy options, accessible therapy