Single Session Counselling in Lethbridge, Alberta

If you clicked on this page, you are probably wondering if a single session of counselling can really be helpful?

Research says yes, especially if we set it up with intention. This means you come into the session knowing what it is you want help with and it is something current in your life. Some examples:

• Crisis Management: handling acute stress or a sudden life event
• Decision Making: clarifying choices and resolving indecision
• Relationship Issues: addressing a specific conflict or communication problem
• Work-Related Stress: managing job-related anxiety or burnout
• Grief and Loss: immediate coping strategies for recent losses
• Parenting Challenges: quick guidance on a specific child-rearing issue (could include your adult child)

You will be asked on your intake form to identify your current concern, what you have tried so far and how distressing the situation is to you. This helps us to really focus on problem-solving during your session and get to the heart of the matter.

Why am I a registered social worker and counsellor even offering single sessions?

In my 20+ year career as a social worker I have helped a lot of people in a lot of different ways, as a counsellor, manager, outreach worker, family preservation worker, case manager for people with disabilities. My common goal is always to be helpful to people to help them meet their goals and I’m pretty good at it. My years of education and experience in the field have helped me to develop my expertise in providing you with a compassionate space where we can work on finding solutions to what is currently causing you difficulty.

I love doing in-depth counselling and that is always an option. However, sometimes people aren’t ready, they have to much going on or simply can’t afford that option. I believe one session can help you gain some momentum and find some solution to your problem.

Coming in for one focused counselling session can help you to feel supported, discover options and resources and help you gain momentum and strategies to better manage what is currently happening in your life. We all need a little help at times, why not with someone who has a lot of experience helping people.

If I know up front that you only want one session, then I will be very targeted in my approach to give you the most value for your hour.

So what are the benefits of single session counselling? 

1. **Immediate Support**: Single session counselling provides immediate support and allows you to address your concerns or issues promptly without having to commit to multiple sessions.

2. **Focused Approach**: We will focus on the specific issue at hand during the single session, which can lead to targeted and efficient problem-solving.

3. **Clarity and Perspective**: A single session can help you gain clarity and perspective on your situation, enabling you to see things from a different angle and explore potential solutions.

4. **Skill Building**: I can provide you with tools and strategies to cope with your current challenges or develop skills to manage similar situations in the future.

5. **Validation and Empowerment**: Single session counseling can provide validation for your feelings and experiences, empowering you to take steps towards positive change.

6. **Cost-Effective**: Single session counselling can be a more cost-effective option for individuals who may not be able to commit to long-term therapy or who prefer a brief intervention.

7. **Increased Access**: By offering single session counselling, mental health services can be made more accessible to individuals who may be hesitant to engage in traditional ongoing therapy.

8. **Decision Making**: Single session counselling can help you make decisions or gain insights that can guide you in your next steps or actions.

9. **Stress Relief**: Just having the opportunity to talk to a counsellor can provide immediate stress relief and emotional support for you when facing difficult situations.

Are there any risks to single session counselling?

 There are always potential risks with counselling and these include:

1. Limited Depth: may not address underlying issues

2. Unresolved problems: complex problems might need more than one session

3. Overwhelming information: you may receive too much information to quickly

4. Client Expectations: may not meet your expectations for long-term support

The good news is that a single session does not need to be your only session, you can always return for another single session or you could decide to attend counselling more regularly.