Single session family therapy in youth mental health: can it help?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of single session therapy in meeting the needs of young people and their families on first presentation to a mental health service. We conducted a quantitative analysis of routinely collected data using self- and family member-reported session and outcome rating scales. Both young people and their family members rate single session therapy sessions highly. In addition, both young people and their families rate the young person's mental health and well-being to have improved after the single session therapy intervention, with mothers rating the young person's improvement most highly. Single session therapy is an effective tool in improving both self- and parent-rated individual, interpersonal, social and overall well-being for young people presenting to a mental health service.