Single Session Family Work
Background
Single Session Work (SSW) is based on three empirical findings:
· The (modal) most common number of sessions in a large number of counselling services internationally and across many service types is one.
· It is difficult to predict which client will attend for one session and which client will attend for ongoing sessions.
· The majority (75%-85%), of counselling clients only attending for one or two sessions, who are often viewed as drop-outs or a service failure, report being satisfied with the service they receive.
If accepted, these findings encourage counsellors to make the most of the first, and sometimes only, session for all clients.
SSW has a range of applications and can be utilised by services which primarily work with individuals to engage family members in the ‘treatment’ process. This targeted approach is appealing to families because it is often difficult for family members to commit to ongoing work. A surprising amount can be achieved in one or two sessions and the SSW approach always leaves the ‘door open’ for further work with the family if required.
There is a growing body of research into the effectiveness of SSW with individuals and families in a variety of settings. Moshe Talmon was the first practitioner to thoroughly investigate the ‘single session’ phenomenon in psychotherapy. Victorians have also figured prominently in researching and training practitioners in SSW including Pat Bohyan, Jeff Young and Pam Rycroft. Dr. Ruth Perkins has recently published the results of a clinical trial using SSW family work in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health setting, which also highlighted the effectiveness of using SSW interventions with families.
What is SSW?
The SSW process usually involves one longer than normal face-to-face session (approximately 90 minutes), and a pre-session questionnaire combined with follow-up phone contact to determine whether the client wants or requires further sessions. A post-questionnaire can be included to measure client outcomes from the session. It is not a
‘one-off’ therapy but rather a structured first session which attempts to maximise the client’s first therapeutic encounter, understanding that it may be the only appointment the client chooses to attend, while entertaining the possibility of ongoing work.
‘one-off’ therapy but rather a structured first session which attempts to maximise the client’s first therapeutic encounter, understanding that it may be the only appointment the client chooses to attend, while entertaining the possibility of ongoing work.
SSW is a type of service delivery framework and is not based on one particular therapeutic modality. This means that workers are free to practice SSW in a manner that fits with their preferred practice orientation while fitting within a basic structure outlined in the SSW training.
How is SSW implemented?
Effective implementation of SSW within a service usually requires:
· Completion of a two-day training course.
· An organisational plan, that incorporates some of the suggestions outlined in the SSW Implementation Parcel provided to each organisation, to enable staff to use SSW with families.
· Regular supervision for workers to discuss the clinical aspects of SSW.
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| Helping you plan - Expectations and Time Requirements | 130.93 KB |
