Single-Session Therapy

Single-Session Therapy (SST) recognises that, in many services, the most common number of sessions a client attends is one. Research shows that many of these clients are satisfied with the help they receive and do not seek further sessions.

In this concise and accessible introduction, Windy Dryden presents an overview of the evolution of single-session therapy and discusses its core principles for practitioners and students considering training in the approach. The book outlines how therapists can work purposefully within a single encounter, treating each session as a complete therapeutic opportunity while remaining open to future work if the client wishes.

The text introduces the single-session therapy mindset and offers practical suggestions for developing a working alliance with clients quickly, co-creating a focus, making effective use of limited time, and supporting meaningful change without compressing several sessions into one meeting. The book concludes with a review of several important professional issues.

About the author
Windy Dryden is Emeritus Professor of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London and is in part-time independent practice. His interests are in single-session therapy, very brief interventions, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and promoting self-help. Windy Dryden has written or edited over 295 books.