Solution Sessions

Occupational Therapy

Develop an action plan to make small but meaningful steps toward your goals 

Solution Sessions are 50-minute, single-session consultations that can help you break down larger problems or concerns. We all feel stuck sometimes, and this type of intervention will support you with concrete ways to spark positive changes.

Mental Health Services uses a research-based, single-session consultation approach1 2 that ensures you leave the session with an action plan that isn’t just about what to do but includes concrete ways to confront inner obstacles and access accountability and support as you implement small changes that support your goal.

Solution Sessions are a great option if you have a busy schedule, aren’t sure if you want or need more than one meeting with a clinician, and if you are interested in taking a solution-focused approach to your concerns. It’s also a great option if you’ve had an Initial Consultation and have an intake appointment scheduled, but you’d like to meet with a clinician sooner to get started on your goals.

Many people find that one Solution Session meets their needs, and others may choose to pursue a more traditional course of goal-oriented therapy. Our aim is to provide a range of flexible options that meet each person where they are, and to promote the belief that useful change is possible, even in just one session.

Is a Solution Session right for me? 

This intervention can be helpful if:

  • You’re dealing with a difficult problem and aren’t sure how to resolve it.
  • You have a specific goal, concern or issue that you’d like to address.
  • You know what you’d like to do to move forward, but feel overwhelmed when trying get started.
  • You are looking for solutions that you can implement now.

Some of the common reasons for choosing a Solution Session include:

  • Social anxiety (difficulty engaging with others, following through on social engagements)
  • Mild to moderate depressive symptoms impacting daily functioning (not going to class or lab, low motivation, isolation, eating and sleeping concerns)
  • Relational difficulties (challenges with advisor, partner, friends, family relationships)
  • Activities of daily living challenges (eating, sleeping, hygiene)
  • Academic concerns
  • Situational stress
  • Desire to stop or start a specific behavior

Getting Started 

You can schedule a Solution Session on the MyHealth portal. Appointments are typically available on a same-day or next day basis. If you are having trouble finding a time that works for you, please give us a call at 410-516-3311 and request a Solution Session. Our administrative staff can assist you with scheduling.

Both in-person and telehealth appointments are available. For telehealth visits, please be sure to select the location (Maryland, Washington, D.C., or Virginia) you will be in at the time of your visit, as clinicians are only able to practice in states where they are licensed.

Please check in 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to complete the brief pre-visit questionnaires. If you do not complete the questionnaires and check-in process prior to time of your scheduled appointment, your Solution Session will be rescheduled.

NOTE: Solution Sessions are not crisis interventions. If you are experiencing an urgent mental health concern, suicidal ideation, or a crisis, please call the BHCST Access Line at 410-516-9355.

If you are interested in goal-oriented counseling or psychiatric services, or need assistance with accommodations, please schedule an Initial Consultation appointment on the MyHealth portal or call 410-516-3311.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Solution Session and an Initial Consultation?

A Solution Session is a 50-minute, solution-focused intervention that is designed to immediately start working on your main issue or concern, with the outcome of a concrete action plan to make progress toward your goal. A Solution Session is a great choice if you are action-oriented, have a busy schedule, and want to get started right away on steps to make meaningful, small changes to get “unstuck.”

An Initial Consultation is a brief, 20-25 minute assessment of your needs and includes gathering basic information about your current functioning and brief history, so that the clinician can provide recommendations about the best resources and treatment to address your concerns. An Initial Consultation is the best choice if you are interested in starting goal-oriented therapy, medication, need assistance with disability accommodations, or you aren’t sure which resources might be right for you.

How is a Solution Session different than traditional individual therapy?

Single-session consultations are designed to be a standalone intervention, focused on a particular problem or concern. Traditional goal-oriented counseling often involves exploring your history, patterns in your life and relationships, and working over multiple sessions to address your concerns. Solution Sessions include a brief discussion of the context of your concern, but the focus is on developing an action plan that helps you overcome internal obstacles and make meaningful, small steps toward your goal.

What if I want or need more than one Solution Session?

You are welcome to schedule another Solution Session to tackle another issue or concern, or to take another step toward your initial goals. Solution Sessions are designed to be standalone interventions based on the principle that meaningful change can occur when you and your clinician work together in an action-oriented way. If you are interested in digging deeper into your concerns or working with a clinician for a course of goal-oriented therapy, please schedule an Initial Consultation appointment to start that process. Your Solution Session clinician may also recommend additional resources or support, if needed – but many people find that Solution Sessions are all they need.

Can I use Solution Sessions for urgent concerns or if I am in crisis?

Solution Sessions are not crisis interventions. If you are experiencing an urgent mental health concern, suicidal ideation, or a crisis, please call the BHCST Access Line at 410-516-9355.

What kind of questionnaires or “paperwork” do I need to complete for a Solution Session?

During the check-in process, you will complete a consent form and brief questionnaires that will help your clinician guide the session effectively. Please check-in 20-minutes before your scheduled appointment time to complete the brief pre-visit questionnaires. If you do not complete the questionnaires and check-in process prior to time of your scheduled appointment, your Solution Session will be rescheduled. After your Solution Session, you will receive a brief post-visit questionnaire and feedback form. Please complete these, as it will help us continue to improve the program.

Footnotes/References

  1. Schleider, J. L., Sung, J. Y., Bianco, A., Gonzalez, A., Vivian, D., & Mullarkey, M. C. (2021). Open pilot trial of a single-session consultation service for clients on psychotherapy wait-lists. The Behavior Therapist, 44(1), 8-15. ↩︎
  2. Sung, J. Y., Bugatti, M., Vivian, D., & Schleider, J. L. (2023). Evaluating a telehealth single-session consultation service for clients on psychotherapy wait-lists. Practice Innovations, 8(2), 141–161. ↩︎