The Helping Dolls: Utilizing Single-Session Therapy With Latinx Clients

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss the value of the single-session mindset within the Latinx community. We explore the single-session mindset with a composite case of a middle-aged Latinx woman. The given case was a psychotherapy session at Our Lady of the Lake's community clinic where therapists-in-training are supervised by licensed professionals throughout their masters and doctoral programs. The case illustrates working within a single-session framework guided by solution-focused therapy. Additionally, it demonstrates working with a Latina client and what has been traditionally labeled as “posttraumatic stress disorder” (PTSD). The authors further highlight how peoples’ strengths and resources may be utilized to help the client within a single session. A discussion is presented of how such changes were made possible through the use of cultural humility and the establishment of a strong therapeutic alliance, despite the therapists’ initial concerns that language might pose a barrier.