Examining outcomes of single session walk-in therapy

Objectives: Eastside Family Centre (EFC) initiated an innovative walk-in single session therapy service in the early 1990’s that was designed to deliver prompt, accessible and affordable treatment services to the general... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: Eastside Family Centre (EFC) initiated an innovative walk-in single session therapy service in the early 1990’s that was designed to deliver prompt, accessible and affordable treatment services to the general public for a spectrum of mental health or behavioral concerns. At that time, a debate existed regarding whether single session therapy could make a significant contribution to the clinical needs of individuals. Twenty-five years later, the debate about the utility and usefulness of brief and single session walk-in therapies continues to wane (McElheran, 2005; Slive & MacLaurin, et al., 1995).

Methods: During Fall, 2012, The Eastside Family Centre and Wood’s Homes Research Department collaborated on the development of an outcomes measurement framework for walk-in single session therapy. Secondary analysis of this data set provides important evidence on which clients with what presenting concerns are more successful with single-session walk-in therapy. In 2015, a follow-up process has been developed in order to determine benefits of the walk-in single session therapy service over time.

Results: This presentation will highlight findings and outcomes based on the clients accessing single session walk-in therapy as well as the development of follow-up of walk-in single session therapy services at Eastside Family Centre. The findings will assist practitioners and researchers in better understanding the needs of individuals and families.

Conclusions: EFC has been the focus of a number of evaluative and research initiatives over the past two decades, and findings suggest that the centre has been successful in providing accessible services. This research has contributed greatly to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of walk-in, single session therapy at EFC, and provides context for understanding what populations are best served with this intervention.