Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Dec 30;4(1):68.
doi: 10.1007/s44192-024-00122-0.

Web-based single session therapy training for mental health support providers: a mixed-methods evaluation study protocol

Jasmine Joseph  1 , Santhosh Kareepadath Rajan  2 , N T Sudhesh  2 , Uma Krishnan  2
Affiliations

Web-based single session therapy training for mental health support providers: a mixed-methods evaluation study protocol

Jasmine Joseph et al. Discov Ment Health. .

Abstract

The growing mental health needs and constrained resources in low- and middle-income countries necessitate scalable solutions. Single Session Therapy (SST) is a global trend in brief and cost-effective options for mental health interventions. It involves a single planned session between mental health service provider and client. This study aims to present a protocol to develop and evaluate a culture specific web-based training program to equip mental health support providers with the skills and confidence to deliver SST. The study protocol uses a mixed-methods evaluation design through three phases-need assessment - where psychologists and social workers collaborate to identify training needs and co-create the program; development and expert validation of the web-based training program; and randomized control trial to evaluate the training, followed by in-depth discussions with participants. This study breaks new ground by empirically designing and evaluating a training program for SST. It uniquely co-designs and validates a culturally sensitive SST training program, leveraging the expertise of a renowned international panel. This protocol goes beyond a blueprint for replicating this study, it serves as a foundational guide for nations seeking to implement effective SST training for their mental health professionals, preventing duplication of efforts.

Keywords: Evaluation study design; Mixed method; Randomized control design; Single session therapy; Training.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Research design
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Formative Phase – Focus Group Discussions
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Transformation and Validation of the Web-based Program
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Program Evaluation – Randomized Control Trial
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Dryden W. Single-session therapy and its future: What SST Leaders Think. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge; 2021. 1 p. (Routledge focus on mental health).
    1. Talmon M. Single-session therapy: maximizing the effect of the first (and often only) therapeutic encounter. 1st ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1990. 146 p. (The Jossey-Bass social and behavioral science series).
    1. Talmon M. When less is more: lessons from 25 years of attempting to maximize the effect of each (and often only) therapeutic encounter. Aust NZ J Fam Ther. 2012;33(01):6–14. - DOI
    1. Cannistrà F, Piccirilli F, Paolo D’Alia P, Giannetti A, Piva L, Gobbato F, et al. Examining the incidence and clients’ experiences of single session therapy in italy: a feasibility study. ANZ J Fam Ther. 2020;41(3):271–82. - DOI
    1. Young J, Weir S, Rycroft P. Implementing single session therapy. Aust NZ J Fam Ther. 2012;33(01):84–97. - DOI

LinkOut - more resources