Incorporating Walk-in Single Sessions at a University Counselling Centre

Since August 2015, Western University has been implementing a Walk-in Single Session Therapy Program as part of its diverse range of services. In this session, participants learned about the range of factors that have contributed to the success of the programme: 1) Changing the triage model, 2) Providing training to staff, and 3) Emphasizing students existing strengths, abilities, and values.

This presentation describes efforts over 3.5 years to provide accessible, timely, evidence-based practices, grounded in strengths-based and recovery principles, and which are sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs and perspectives of students (CACUSS & CMHA, 2013), by introducing a Walk-in Single Session Therapy Program and by adapting it over time to meet institutional and student needs. As reflected in the research on single-session modalities, this presentation demonstrates how the program reduces frustration with service availability, offers focused problem solving, prevents the need for longer-term services, depathologies and de-stigmatizes, and appears to be a good fit for some communities that do not readily accept more traditional counselling formats (Slive, McElheran & Lawson, 2008).

The presentation begins by describing the challenges of the previous model used, followed by a summary of how the approach to triage was changed. Next, the presentation discusses how group-based and one-on-one training offered to staff and interns built capacity for the team to implement a Walk-In Single Session program. The presentation culminates with a focus on the theory and implementation of strength-based approaches that can be used when providing single sessions (e.g., White, 2007).

Presenters: Jared French, Western University, Clinical Psychologist and Single Session Coordinator

Feature Session: Evolving Perspectives on Campus Mental Health, CACUSS 2019

Competencies: Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence; Student advising, support and advocacy

Download the Presentation (PDF).