The case for single-session therapy: does the empirical evidence support the increased prevalence of this service delivery model?

BACKGROUND: A significant increase in the number of walk-in counselling clinics offering single-session therapy (SST) prompted this review of the empirical support for the effectiveness of SST. AIMS: The article is intended to (1) increase practitioners' knowledge of the empirical support for the effectiveness of single-session counselling with client populations typically served in community-based mental health and counselling agencies and (2) identify priorities for future research on SST. METHOD: A thorough review of relevant databases was undertaken to locate published studies reporting client outcomes following SST. The focus of the review is research involving clients and presenting problems typically seen in community-based mental health and family counselling agencies. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the majority of clients attending either previously scheduled or walk-in SST find it sufficient and helpful. The studies imply that this model of service delivery leads to perceived improvement in presenting problems in general, and on specific measures of variables such as depression, anxiety, distress level and confidence in parenting skills. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the studies have methodological limitations, and future research requires increased use of standardized measures, control groups and larger and more diverse samples.

Using strength-based approaches to explore pretreatment change in men who abuse their partners.

Group work with men who batter has traditionally consisted predominantly of psychoeducational programs that ignore concepts such as self-determination, goal setting, and positive engagement with men. More recently, this paradigm has begun to shift to include cognitive approaches and the utilization of strength-based strategies. The present sample included 42 men who were part of an ongoing batterer intervention program. Information for this study included assessment of each man's strengths, their goals, and their perceptions of the changes they felt they had already made prior to attending group treatment. Through a grounded theory analysis, a model was developed that highlights the pretherapeutic change processes that men experience due to their being arrested, charged with a misdemeanour domestic charge, and subsequently convicted of domestic violence. Particularly highlighted are changes in the ways that men view and navigate three distinct areas of their lives: their external world (including work and education); their internal world (perception of self, values, and skills); and their interpersonal relationships with their partner and children.