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Recognizing Single-Session Therapy as Psychotherapy

Published Online:March 2020https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2019.38.4.31

Abstract

Single sessions of therapy have long been established as a legitimate and scientifically supported form of psychotherapy. However, a controversy arose in Ontario when a new regulatory college for psychotherapists began rejecting single-session therapy hours for grandparenting applicants attempting to become registered psychotherapists. This article details this controversy, the responses to the controversy, and the eventual recommendation of an independent appeal board in 2019 to accept single-session therapy hours as psychotherapy. This article also provides and expands on the arguments that persuaded the appeal board in its decision. The authors hope that making these arguments available will assist in possible future challenges to single-session therapy being recognized as psychotherapy.

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