Single session family therapy in youth mental health: can it help?

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of single session therapy in meeting the needs of young people and their families on first presentation to a mental health service.

Method: We conducted a quantitative analysis of routinely collected data using self- and family member-reported session and outcome rating scales.

Results: Both young people and their family members rate single session therapy sessions highly. In addition, both young people and their families rate the young person's mental health and well-being to have improved after the single session therapy intervention, with mothers rating the young person's improvement most highly.

Conclusions: Single session therapy is an effective tool in improving both self- and parent-rated individual, interpersonal, social and overall well-being for young people presenting to a mental health service.