Shifting Mindsets in Italy with a Single Session Approach

The OAAT Series:

Single-session therapy (SST), sometimes called one-at-a-Time therapy, has been around for a while. It has been steadily gaining attention among providers and service delivery systems. SST can have tremendous impacts in different contexts, with proven waitlist reductions and positive outcomes for many people. It is based on the assumption that something helpful can happen in one interaction. 

The thing is, SST is an important approach because many people can only attend or want to attend one session. In fact, research shows the most common number of therapy sessions attended is one session. If a person will only engage once and may never come back for another session, it becomes really important that the one session they have is helpful. One-at-a-Time Therapy provides an effective option for people seeking support to address their concerns in the moment. Borrowing from this approach, One-at-a-Time Thinking has been identified as a core component of SC2.0; this thinking considers that every encounter across the mental health system is an opportunity for a person to have a helpful experience and address their immediate concerns. 

As a part of our “So, Why” Podcast, we will embark on a mini-series to explore different perspectives on implementing One-at-a-Time Therapy. We will learn from various practitioners how this method can be used in different contexts. OAAT may not fit every situation, but it is a fantastic option that can be helpful in many ways. 

About this episode:

Going beyond a methodology, Single Session Therapy is a mindset that counsellors can learn and embrace. This mindset puts a focus on supporting people in the moment and recognizing and building on their strengths. In Italy, the Italian Center for Single Session Therapy is working toward shifting the mindsets of counsellors across the country to be able to offer a person-centric approach that recognizes professionals do not have all the wisdom, but people often know what is best for them. 

Today, we are joined by Dr. Flavio Cannistrà, a psychologist based in Rome, Italy. He is the founder and co-director of the Italian Center for Single Session Therapy and the ICNOS Institute, an international postgraduate training institute specializing in strategic and systemic brief psychotherapies. His publications include Single Session Therapy: Principles and Practices and Brief Therapy Conversations. 

For more information about the upcoming conference: https://www.singlesessiontherapies.com/single-session-therapy-symposium/

For more information about Stepped Care Solutions: steppecaresolutions.com 

For access to virtual mental health resources: wellnesstogether.ca