Dr. Caroline Martin Psychology
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Single-Session Consultations

Not every concern requires ongoing weekly therapy.
Sometimes families need focused, evidence-based guidance to address one specific issue and move forward with confidence. Single-Session Consultation is designed for that purpose.

What To Expect

Single-Session Consultation (SSC) is a structured, research-supported approach designed to help teens and/or parents make meaningful progress on one clearly defined emotional or behavioral concern in a single meeting.

This is not a “quick fix” or a general check-in. It is an intentional, evidence-based format focused on one specific, targeted issue, built around the understanding that meaningful change can begin in a single, focused conversation.

60-Minute Focused Meeting

A structured, one-time consultation centered on one clearly defined emotional or behavioral concern. This is not an intake session or open-ended therapy — it is a focused conversation designed to move one issue forward.

Collaborative, Goal-Directed Planning

Together, we clarify what “better” would look like and identify small, practical steps you can begin right away. The session emphasizes strengths, agency, and realistic next moves.

Written Action Plan to Take With You

You leave with a personalized, concrete plan you can begin implementing immediately, including clear next steps and guidance for managing moments when progress feels difficult.

Who is This For?

TEENS (13-18)

This may be a good fit if a teen:

  • Is struggling with one specific issue (e.g., anxiety about presentations, conflict with a friend, school stress, avoidance of a particular situation)

  • Wants help now rather than waiting weeks or months

  • Is on a waitlist for therapy and would benefit from a plan in the meantime

  • Is hesitant about committing to weekly therapy

  • Has a busy schedule that makes ongoing sessions difficult

  • Is already in therapy but needs support addressing one immediate challenge

This format works best when the concern is clearly defined and the teen is open to trying small, practical steps.

PARENTS

This consultation is focused on your parenting.  

It may be a good fit if you:

  • Want guidance on how to respond to a specific behavior or emotional pattern

  • Feel stuck in a parenting dynamic and need a clear strategy

  • Want practical tools you can begin implementing immediately

  • Are waiting for therapy services but need a plan right now

  • Are not seeking ongoing weekly treatment

  • Want support adjusting your approach around anxiety, avoidance, defiance, or emotional regulation

The focus is on clarifying one parenting challenge and identifying concrete changes you can make to shift the pattern at home.

The Research Base

Single-session interventions have been studied extensively over the past several decades. More recently, this work has been advanced by Dr. Jessica Schleider and colleagues (see Schleider et al., 2021), whose research has focused specifically on brief, scalable mental health interventions for youth. 

In a large meta-analysis of 50 randomized controlled trials, Schleider and Weisz (2017) found that single-session interventions for youth mental health concerns produced significant improvements across anxiety, depression, conduct problems, and other difficulties (mean effect size g = .32)

This body of research demonstrates that:

  • Meaningful psychological change can occur within a single, well-structured session

  • Gains often emerge early in treatment

  • Brief, targeted interventions can increase hope, motivation, and perceived agency

The Single-Session Consultation model draws directly from this research base and from principles of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, structured intentionally to maximize the impact of one meeting.

Interested in learning more?

Book a free phone consultation to determine whether a Single Session Consultation is the right fit for your family.
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