ABSTRACT
Psychotherapy services have been delivered on a by-appointment basis, whether those services take place in a private practice or in a publicly-funded mental-health agency. Some walk-in sessions end with a referral for on-going by-appointment counseling or other mental-health services. A growing body of research indicates that many clients report an improvement in presenting concerns following a single walk-in session as well as decreased stress, increased agency, decreased problem severity and increased coping. Harper-Jaques and Foucault reported that of 98 walk-in clients, 93% reported satisfaction with the service. There is little doubt that consumers of psychotherapy are happy with walk-in/single-sessions. Motivated clients are rewarding to therapists. Walk-in clients tend to arrive ready to work. They have something they want to talk about and are pleased to have an interested listener. There is ample evidence that clients are satisfied with single sessions, whether planned or unplanned. Investigations of walk-in/single-sessions have consistently shown positive client satisfaction.
