# Little Treatments, Big Effects by Jessica Schleider - Blinkist

What’s in it for me? Unlock big results with little interventions.

Chances are, either you or someone you love will meet the criteria for mental illness within your or their lifetime. Chances also are that you or they won’t have access to the mental health care needed and when needed, whether because of the cost, time, or social stigma attached. 

This reality may sound bleak, and in many ways, it is. But author Jessica Schleider may have a compelling, evidence-based solution: single-session interventions, or SSIs. 

In this Blink to Little Treatments, Big Effects, we’ll explore the history of mental health care, dive deep into the potential of SSIs, and share a few of the activities you and your loved ones can benefit from in less than an hour – cost-free, wait list-free, and all from the privacy of your own home. 

To be clear, SSIs – while revolutionary – aren’t a panacea and won’t replace other forms of treatment or the essential policy work to improve integrative health care from the top down. Rather, they can act as a beacon of hope for many in the short term. They helped Schleider during her personal battle with disordered eating, and countless others in her ten-plus years delivering such interventions. 

Before we dive in, remember that if you’re struggling mentally at this moment in time, appreciate that you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. Know, too, if you’re struggling to access the help and support you need, you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

A system built to fail

Picture a world where seeking mental health care feels like navigating a maze without a map. Confusing, right? But that’s the reality for countless individuals around the globe. Why is this the case, you ask? Great question. Let’s unpack it together. 

First, it’s crucial to understand that the hurdles in accessing mental health care aren’t anyone’s personal failing. Historical stigmas have left a lasting mark, painting mental health with a brush of “otherness” and contributing to government underfunding. Picture our current systems of care like a puzzle, where pieces from different boxes have been thrown together, making it nearly impossible to see the full picture. There’s a dire lack of horizontal and vertical integration, meaning mental and physical health services aren’t talking to each other. As a result, moving from one treatment to another can feel like trying to leap across a chasm.

Now, add to this a two-tier system where quality mental health care seems reserved for the privileged few, thanks to underinvestment and a fragmented insurance landscape. It’s akin to having VIP passes in a world where everyone should have access to the show. And for those who do somehow manage to find their way to care, the effectiveness of that care is as unpredictable as a weather forecast in spring, largely because the treatments available were designed without real-world application in mind.

Perhaps the most telling sign of our system’s shortcomings is the lack of input from those it aims to serve. Imagine cooking a meal for a group without asking about dietary preferences or restrictions – it’s unlikely to satisfy everyone’s needs.

So, what’s the way forward? Schleider suggests single-session interventions as a promising path. Her lab defines SSIs as “structured programs that intentionally involve only one visit or encounter with a clinic, provider, or platform.” In more practical terms, SSIs provide a remedy that challenges stigma, doesn’t break the bank, and is built on evidence-based methods that fit snugly within our current system. 

Revolutionizing mental health support may seem a daunting task – and, in truth, it is. But the integration of SSIs could start to inch us toward a world where accessing mental health support becomes as straightforward as buying groceries: effective, available, and part of our everyday lives.

When “less” is more

With this image in mind – a world where mental health care isn’t a distant luxury but a readily accessible tool for everyone – let’s explore why single-session interventions may be uniquely placed to revolutionize how we approach mental health support globally. 

As we know, SSIs are therapeutic encounters designed to deliver meaningful change in just one session. The beauty of this approach lies not only in its effectiveness but also in its accessibility and cost-efficiency, making mental health support more inclusive than ever before. Although SSIs aren’t a replacement for more extensive support systems, they’re a complementary and flexible option within the mental health care ecosystem. 

Their potential is largely thanks to two key elements inherent in the design of SSIs: the “single-session mindset” and “context of competence.” In essence, the single-session mindset is about instilling the belief that change is possible within a single meeting – thus fostering an immediate sense of hope. The context of competence, on the other hand, focuses on a patient-centered approach that leverages individual strengths and capabilities rather than weaknesses and deficiencies. These concepts aren’t just theoretical; they’re grounded in scientific research and have shown real promise in empowering individuals to initiate change in their own lives. 

All that said, Schleider acknowledges a critical gap between what sounds good in theory and what works well in practice: the need to better incorporate the perspectives and experiences of people who undergo SSIs. To counter this, Schleider suggests that listening to and learning from the personal journeys of those that SSIs seek to serve can further refine and enhance their impact, ensuring they resonate more deeply and effectively. 

In a sense, the picture of promise Schleider paints of SSIs serves as a simultaneous call to action and a glimmer of hope. Yes, a system-wide reform is needed, and – by embracing innovative solutions like SSIs – we can start to make tangible differences to people’s lives right here, right now.

Moments that matter

Turning points are equal parts universal and profoundly personal moments on the journey to mental health – a fact you may already be intimately aware of. SSI practitioners are also acutely aware of this reality and, as a result, make these moments central to the therapy. 

Of course, turning points aren’t confined to – and often don’t arise within the context of – formal mental health treatment; they can occur anywhere, at any time, and with anyone. But wherever and however they happen, these pivotal junctures are capable of changing the course of one’s life for the better, even in cases deemed chronic or severe. 

SSIs hold the potential to catalyze these moments in the healing process in two crucial ways. First, of course, they create a “moment that matters” in the setting of the single treatment session. As seen in the previous section, SSIs are unique in championing the belief that meaningful change is possible within a single meeting, not just in multi-session therapies lasting months or years. 

Second, SSIs can provide the time, space, and support to recognize and harness any pivotal junctures that have already taken place on someone’s journey – but that they haven’t fully recognized or assimilated. In this case, SSIs become somewhat meta: a turning point brought about by an awareness of a previous turning point. Such events can feel like uncovering a hidden strength within – a strength that has always been there, waiting for the right moment to shine. 

Schleider’s lab has identified five themes that seem to appear in almost all stories of mental health turning points; understanding these could empower individuals to seek out and enact change themselves. These five themes are: an unexpected moment that takes us by surprise, feeling seen, seeing others, reclaiming our narrative, and helping others facing similar battles. If you’ve experienced a turning point on your own journey, consider whether your pivotal moment falls within one of these categories and how you might be able to tap into this same theme in the future. 

Not all turning points can or should be engineered. And yet one of the most compelling cases for SSIs is their ability to increase the likelihood of such encounters. As such, SSIs can stand as a vital gateway to healing for many.

Implementing SSIs

In this final section, let’s walk through an exercise Schleider calls “Learning your values.” It can be a particularly powerful practice during moments of acute overwhelm.

First, take a moment to assess your current overwhelm rating – where “one” indicates you’re not at all overwhelmed and “ten” indicates you’re the most overwhelmed you’ve ever been.

Then, select one of the following values that resonates with you today: health, family, community, education, helping, joy, spirituality, perseverance, or independence.

For this value, briefly jot down what it means to you. Don’t worry about the dictionary definition or how someone else might define it – just capture the essence of that value from your perspective. If it’s helpful, you can add a sentence or two about why this value is so important to you.

Now, specify something you could do in the next 24 hours, in the next week, and in the next year to serve this central value. These actions can be as big or little as you’d like – but it’s generally easier to start small and stay consistent.

Finally, reassess your overwhelm rating after going through this exercise. Has your rating dropped at all? Often, aligning ourselves with our values can quickly refocus us on what matters most and gives our lives meaning.

One last note: If you think that you or someone you love could benefit from a formalized online SSI, head to schleiderlab.org/yes, where you can complete one of four evidence-based, on-demand sessions in under an hour. If you’re a mental health professional keen to incorporate SSIs into your practice, there are also many online materials and data to support you.

Ideally, we’ll see a drastic overhaul of our mental health systems worldwide. But until that top-down work is done, each and every one of us can empower ourselves with SSIs at any moment – starting right now.

Final summary

Single-session interventions (SSIs) could offer a novel solution to the cost, time, and stigma barriers that prevent many people from seeking mental health care.

While policy work is being done to improve integrated health care from the top down, short, scalable, evidence-based psychological treatments could be deployed to produce substantial improvements in mental health outcomes. Doing so would not only transform how psychological support is delivered at the macro level but also empower individuals in their journey to mental well-being.