Single Session Therapy for Couples
What Is Single Session Therapy?
A two-hour conversation that can shift how you understand each other.
Sometimes, one meaningful session is enough to create clarity, open up dialogue, or help you make an important decision together. Whether you’re facing a relationship crisis, struggling to communicate, or simply trying to reconnect, Single Session Therapy (SST) for couples offers a focused and practical space to pause and reflect—without committing to ongoing therapy.
SST can serve multiple purposes, with goals that can be many and different for each couple. My aim is to help couples reach either resolution or, at minimum, a clearer sense of direction by the end of our work together.
What Is Single Session Therapy for Couples?
SST is a structured, one-off 2-hour therapy session for couples who want support around a specific issue, decision, or pattern in their relationship. It’s not a deep-dive into your entire history, but rather a space to explore what’s most pressing right now.
This format can be especially helpful if you're:
Feeling stuck or disconnected, but unsure whether to start couples therapy
Facing a relationship crisis or decision point
Wanting to improve communication without entering a long-term process
Navigating complex dynamics like infidelity or neurodivergence in the relationship
Seeking support as ex-partners who co-parent or share responsibilities
Specialising in Neurodiverse Couples and Infidelity
I work frequently with:
Neurodiverse couples (e.g. ADHD or autism in one or both partners), where differences in communication, emotional processing, or needs often lead to chronic misunderstandings. In a two-hour SST session, we can begin to identify how neurodiversity might be impacting the relationship and explore ways to reduce tension, increase empathy, and communicate more effectively.
Couples working through infidelity, where emotions run high and trust feels fragile. Whether you’re reeling from discovery or navigating what comes next, SST offers a non-judgmental space to start making sense of what happened, what you both need, and whether there’s a way forward, together or separately.
What to Expect
Each session lasts 2 hours and is carefully structured to help you make the most of our time together.
Pre-session questionnaire
If we haven’t had an initial consultation prior to our session, you’ll each complete a short confidential form beforehand. This helps clarify what you're bringing to the session and whether SST is the right format for your needs.Goal-setting (First 15–20 minutes):
We’ll begin by identifying 2–3 shared goals for the session. These may be practical, emotional, or exploratory, depending on what you’re navigating.Exploration (Main portion of the session):
We’ll explore what’s happening in the relationship, what matters to each of you, and how you’re experiencing the current dynamic. I’ll support you in speaking honestly, listening fully, and noticing the deeper patterns at play.Reflection and Next Steps (Final 20–30 minutes):
We’ll draw the session together with some practical strategies, points of clarity, or possible next steps - whether that’s changes you want to try, agreements you’d like to make, or decisions about what comes next.
You’re welcome to take notes. I can also provide a short summary or reflection prompts afterwards if helpful.
Is One Session Enough?
For some couples, yes. A single two-hour session can be enough to:
Clarify what’s going on and why it feels so difficult
Hear each other differently, with less defensiveness and more empathy
Decide on a next step or shift how you approach a specific issue
Start the process of healing after rupture, or prepare for separation with care
For others, it becomes the first step toward more sustained work. You’re always welcome to return for further sessions if helpful, but there’s no expectation or obligation.
Common Reasons Couples Book a Single Session
“We’re not sure if we want to stay together or separate.”
“Something major happened and we need to talk about it.”
“We keep arguing and don’t know how to get past it.”
“One of us has ADHD and we keep missing each other.”
“There’s been infidelity and we need to understand what happens now.”
“We’re not in crisis, but we’re not connecting either.”
Beyond the Session
While SST is complete in itself, many clients find it opens doors to further growth. Some return for additional single sessions when facing new challenges. Others use their SST experience as a foundation for longer-term therapeutic work. Still others find that single session provides all the support they need for their current concerns.
The choice remains entirely yours, which itself embodies the existential principle of taking responsibility for your own life and healing.
Ready to explore what's possible in a single session? Contact me to discuss how Single Session Therapy might support your journey towards greater authenticity, clarity, and wellbeing.
