Single-Session Intervention for Mental Health Symptoms

Overseen By Shannon Zaitsoff, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Chloe White

Disqualifiers: Eating disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help young adults better understand and improve their self-worth. It tests whether a single online session with a trained therapist, called the Single Session for Overevaluation, can positively impact participants' self-perception, particularly for those who overly focus on weight, shape, or muscular build. The trial seeks English-speaking young adults aged 18-25 who frequently overthink their appearance but have not experienced an eating disorder, either currently or in the past. Participants will complete questionnaires before and after the session to assess any changes. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could help many young adults enhance their self-image.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on mental health and self-evaluation, so it's best to ask the trial organizers for more details.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for young adults?

Research has shown that single-session interventions (SSIs) are generally safe for mental health treatment. One study found that participants experienced noticeable symptom improvements for up to six months after just one session. Another review of SSIs reported that 83% of the studies showed positive results, with no major safety concerns.

While these results are encouraging, the effectiveness and safety of SSIs can vary. Researchers continue to study this treatment, so individual experiences may differ. However, overall evidence suggests that single-session therapy is usually well-tolerated and lacks significant negative effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Single Session for Overevaluation intervention because it offers a quick, focused approach to addressing mental health symptoms in just one session. Unlike traditional therapies, which can involve multiple sessions over weeks or months, this method aims to provide immediate relief and insights. This approach is particularly appealing for individuals seeking rapid support without the long-term commitment typically required in therapy.

What evidence suggests that this single session intervention is effective for mental health symptoms?

Research has shown that single-session treatments can significantly reduce mental health issues in both young people and adults. Various studies indicate that about 83% of these treatments yield positive results. For instance, participants reported lasting decreases in depression symptoms even six months after just one session. Specifically, one study found that symptoms significantly reduced at follow-ups, even without additional support, with strong effects. Overall, single-session therapies, like the one tested in this trial, show promise for improving mental health by effectively addressing symptoms in just one meeting. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Shannon Zaitsoff, PhD

Principal Investigator

Simon Fraser University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults who may be experiencing symptoms related to eating disorders or depression. Participants must complete a baseline questionnaire, attend an online therapeutic session led by a trained therapist, and fill out follow-up questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria

English speaking

Demonstrate elevated overevaluation of weight, shape or muscularity

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Have or have had in the past an eating disorder

Is receiving treatment for an eating disorder

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention Development

Phase I involves developing the intervention with input from participants and conducting feedback interviews.

2 weeks

1 session (virtual), 2 interviews (virtual)

Intervention Case Series

Phase II involves administering the single session intervention and collecting follow-up data over four weeks.

4 weeks

1 session (virtual), 2 follow-up questionnaires

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in self-evaluation and mental health symptoms after the intervention.

4 weeks

1-week and 4-week follow-up questionnaires

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Single Session for Overevaluation

Trial Overview The study is testing a single-session intervention aimed at helping participants understand different forms of self-evaluation. The goal is to see if this one-time therapy session can positively influence how young adults value themselves.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Chloe White

Lead Sponsor

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10631081/

Effectiveness of single-session therapy for adult common ... SST may be effective in improving CMD symptoms in adults, particularly depression. However, there is a limit to deriving definite conclusions due to a high ...

2. news.feinberg.northwestern.edu news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2025/02/25/single-session-interventions-significantly-reduce-mental-health-issues-for-youth-and-adults/

Single-Session Interventions Significantly Reduce Mental ... Of the 24 systematic reviews identified, they found that 83 percent reported positive effects from single-session interventions for one or more ...

3. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/johc.12223

Effects of a single‐session, online, experiential happiness ... At 6 months, participants reported further reductions in depression symptoms. Moreover, across four open-ended questions, 37.0%–48.1% of ...

4. mentalhealth.bmj.com mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1/e301416

Single-session intervention with and without video support ... Both groups showed significant symptom reductions at 1 month follow-up, maintained at 3 and 6 months (Cohen's d=0.68–1.08). Conclusions Adding ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41562-021-01235-0

A randomized trial of online single-session interventions for ... Compared with the control, both active SSIs reduced three-month depressive symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.18), decreased post-intervention and three- ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11685363/

Web-based single session therapy training for mental health ... This study aims to present a protocol to develop and evaluate a culture specific web-based training program to equip mental health support providers.

7. bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01410-0

Effectiveness of single-session therapy for adult common ... SST may be effective in improving CMD symptoms in adults, particularly depression. However, there is a limit to deriving definite conclusions due to a high ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10012621/

Harnessing the Single-Session Intervention approach to ... We propose the Single-Session Intervention approach as an unexplored path to developing low-cost and scalable implementation strategies.

9. news.northwestern.edu news.northwestern.edu/stories/2025/02/single-session-interventions-significantly-reduce-mental-health-issues-for-youth-and-adults

When it comes to therapy sessions, sometimes just one can help Of the 24 systematic reviews identified, they found that 83% reported positive effects from SSIs for one or more of the following outcomes: ...