Breaking down the barriers to clinical service delivery: walk-in family therapy.

Abstract

This article provides a description of a unique walk-in family therapy service designed to overcome barriers to clinical delivery, as well as a survey of client experiences with the therapy. This therapy modality is aimed at providing an immediately accessible, affordable, nonstigmatizing, single-session-focused resource. The service operates from a systemic, collaborative, consumer oriented, pragmatic, non-pathology perspective. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with 43 clients 3 to 6 months after they received treatment. Generally, former clients reported satisfaction with the service. The majority (67%) indicated some level of improvement, and 43% of participants found their single session sufficient to address their concerns. At the time of the session, the majority (86%) of clients were rated by their therapists as "customers" regarding their motivational readiness for change.