Walk‐In Counselling Services: Making the Most of One Hour

Abstract

This article describes walk‐in single session counselling, a form of service delivery that enables clients to receive one session of counselling without the usual hurdles of intake and wait times. We distinguish between walk‐in counselling and single session therapy by appointment. We describe a mindset for therapists that supports walk‐in work. We also describe the workings of a walk‐in session using a transcript, with commentary, of an actual session. Benefits and possible applications of the walk‐in counselling concept are discussed.

Doing sport psychology briefly? A critical review of single session therapeutic approaches and their relevance to sport psychology

“…Hence, Fry (2012) and Perkins (2006) commented that the implementation of an SST framework could challenge therapists' assumptions about behaviour change and the role of therapy. Therapists practising SST often assumed that rapid change is not only possible but common in human experience (Bobele, López, Scamardo, & Solórzano, 2008;Fry, 2012;Slive & Bobele, 2012). As such, the history of the complaint is not relevant (Bobele et al, 2008;Littrell et al, 1995) and no direct link between duration or severity of complaint and length of treatment is assumed (Bobele et al, 2008;Slive & Bobele, 2012).…”

“…Therapists practising SST often assumed that rapid change is not only possible but common in human experience (Bobele, López, Scamardo, & Solórzano, 2008;Fry, 2012;Slive & Bobele, 2012). As such, the history of the complaint is not relevant (Bobele et al, 2008;Littrell et al, 1995) and no direct link between duration or severity of complaint and length of treatment is assumed (Bobele et al, 2008;Slive & Bobele, 2012). When clients are stuck with a problem, it is assumed that they are limited by their current understanding of their situation (Young et al, 2008).…”

A perspective on consultancy teams and technology in applied sport psychology

“…Therapists who practice SST often hold several alternative assumptions that are viewed as an essential part of this process, and often focus on clients' existing strengths and resources to overcome their current difficulties (Bobele, Lopez, Scamardo, & Solórzano, 2008). As SST approaches grow in popularity, more organizations or specific therapy centers with a particular focus on SST have written about the central features of their works (e.g., Fry, 2012;Slive & Bobele, 2012). Although the psychotherapeutic techniques involved are often different from one another (Young, Dick, Herring, & Lee, 2008), a common feature amongst many of these approaches is the use of consultancy teams behind one-way mirrors or one-way screens (Bobele et al, 2008;Fry, 2012;Hampson, O'Hanlon, Franklin, Pentony, Fridgant, & Heins, 1999;Harper-Jaques, McElheran, Slive, & Leahey, 2008;Slive et al, 2008).…”

“…At this point, the entire team meets to design an intervention in the form of a "feedback" message or "homework" task that utilizes the clients' resources (Bobele et al, 2008;Slive & Bobele, 2012). Jevne, Zingle, Ryan, McDougall, and Mortemore (1995) described the observation team in their SST approach as the "…eyes and ears of alternative meaning" (p.7), and noted that they were trained "…to avoid assumptions, to emphasize the strengths rather than deficits, to introduce options non-directively and to reinforce hope and empowerment" (p.8).…”

Walk-in Services for Child and Family Mental Health

“…Many walk-in clinics conducted their consultations in teams of more than one staff member. Teams were designed to foster training of both professionals and students for conducting therapy amenable to walk-in clinic services (Slive & Bobele, 2012). Through the team approach, clients received advice as a team consensus and could also interview the team on finer points and diverse ideas.…”