Single Session Family Consultation

What we do

Single session therapy is an effective tool in improving both self and parent-rated individual, interpersonal, social and overall wellbeing for young people presenting to a mental health service.

Single Session Therapy (SST) was developed at Alfred CYMHS and builds on worldwide data on SST practice. It involves young people, parents and families either at their first point of contact with the service or by referral from a CYMHS clinician.

Prior to the session commencing, a pre-session questionnaire is mailed to families to facilitate the family thinking about the issues the young person and family want to address. 

Each week, we set aside a time to consult with families who want to work hard to create change in their lives. People often believe that in order to be effective, therapy has to take a long time. This is a common myth. What we have found, through research and experience, that for about 50% of families, one session is enough. For the other 50% more is provided through other services.

Four to six weeks after the session, one of our therapists will call you to follow-up and see what changes you have made as a family and if more support is needed.

How to access this clinic

Contact us directly

Family, carers, case managers and patients can contact us directly to access our services.

What to bring

Every time you come

• Medicare card
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
• Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
• Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
• Medicines you need to take while you are here
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
• Glasses, hearing aid, walking frame

For a clinic appointment

• Your appointment letter
• Any special items listed on your letter
• TAC or Workcover claim number (if relevant)

Clinic times

Day	Campus	Time
Monday	Child and Youth Mental Health Service	8.30am - 5.00pm
Tuesday	Child and Youth Mental Health Service	8.30am - 5.00pm
Wednesday	Child and Youth Mental Health Service	8.30am - 5.00pm
Thursday	Child and Youth Mental Health Service	8.30am - 5.00pm
Friday	Child and Youth Mental Health Service	8.30am - 5.00pm

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