One-at-a-Time Counselling
What Is One-at-a-Time Counselling?
Life moves fast. Sometimes what you need isn't ongoing therapy—it's one meaningful conversation that helps you feel clearer, calmer, and more prepared for your next step.
One-at-a-Time Counselling is a flexible approach where each session is designed to be complete in and of itself. Rather than planning a series of appointments, you'll meet with your therapist to focus on what's most important to you right now. Together, you'll explore your concerns, identify practical strategies and next steps, and decide afterward if you feel another session would be helpful. There is no expectation to make ongoing appointments—you return only if and when it feels right for you.
One-at-a-Time Counselling recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. For some people, a single session provides the clarity, perspective, and practical strategies they need. Some choose to return when a new challenge arises, or they discover that ongoing therapy is a better fit. There is no predetermined path—your care is guided by your goals, your circumstances, and what feels most helpful to you.
At Lodestone Psychology, One-at-a-Time Counselling is provided by compassionate, experienced therapists who are skilled at working in a focused, collaborative, and thoughtful way. Whether you're navigating a specific challenge, facing an important decision, or looking for support during a stressful time, we're here to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.
How It Works
A session built around you — and what you need today.
Every One-at-a-Time Counselling session is designed to be purposeful, collaborative, and complete in and of itself. While every session is tailored to your unique needs, they generally follow three stages:
1. Clarifying Your Focus
Your therapist will begin by understanding what brings you in today and what feels most important to address. Rather than covering every aspect of your history, you'll focus on the information that's most relevant to the concern you're facing right now.
Together, you'll identify a clear goal for the session and explore your existing strengths, coping strategies, and support systems.
2. Exploring the Issue
Once you've identified your focus, you'll work collaboratively with your therapist to better understand the situation, gain new perspectives, and identify practical ways forward.
Depending on your needs, your therapist may help you develop new coping strategies, strengthen existing skills, work through difficult emotions, clarify a decision, improve communication, or just discover a different way of approaching the challenge you're facing.
3. Planning Your Next Steps
Before the session ends, your therapist will help you summarize what you've learned and develop a realistic plan for moving forward. You will leave with practical strategies to try, a clearer understanding of your situation, and a specific action plan that feels achievable.
Some people find that a single session provides the support they were looking for. Others choose to return for another One-at-a-Time Counselling session when a new challenge arises, or transition to ongoing therapy. Whatever you decide, you'll leave with greater clarity, practical strategies, and increased confidence regarding your next steps.
Why are One-at-a-Time Counselling Sessions 90 minutes?
We've chosen to offer One-at-a-Time Counselling in 90-minute sessions because meaningful change takes time. A longer appointment allows your therapist to fully understand what's bringing you in, explore the issue in a thoughtful way, and work with you to develop practical strategies or next steps—all without feeling rushed. It also provides space to ask questions, reflect, and ensure you leave with a clear sense of direction before your session ends. We believe the additional time better supports the focused, comprehensive nature of One-at-a-Time Counselling and helps each session feel complete.
What to Expect in a Session
Your therapist is warm, focused, and genuinely helpful.
Walking into a therapy session can feel daunting—especially if it's your first time or it's been a while. Here's what you can expect during a One-at-a-Time Counselling session at Lodestone Psychology.
You'll feel heard from the start.
Our therapists begin every One-at-a-Time Counselling session by taking the time to understand what brings you in and what matters most to you today. You'll be met with compassion, curiosity, and respect—without judgment or pressure to share more than you're comfortable sharing.
We'll focus on what matters most right now.
Your therapist will help you clarify the concern that's most important to address today. Together, you'll explore what's happening, what's already helping, and what you need to help you move forward.
You'll work collaboratively with your therapist.
One-at-a-Time Counselling is built on collaboration. Your therapist brings clinical expertise, while you bring your own knowledge, strengths, and lived experience. Together, you'll develop insights, strategies, and next steps that fit your goals and circumstances.
You'll leave with something meaningful.
Every session is designed to provide something you can take with you—whether that's greater clarity, practical strategies, a new perspective, or increased confidence in your next steps.
You decide what comes next.
Some people find that one session is all they need. Others choose to return for another One-at-a-Time Counselling session when a new challenge arises, or transition into ongoing therapy. You decide what feels most helpful for you.
Is One-at-a-Time Counselling Right for You?
One-at-a-Time Counselling isn't the right fit for every situation, and that's okay. It's designed for people who are looking for focused, goal-oriented support. You don't need to commit to ongoing appointments to benefit from therapy, and if you decide you'd like additional support later, that option is always available.
One-at-a-Time Counselling is a good fit if:
You're dealing with something specific.
Whether it's a relationship conflict, a workplace challenge, a major decision, or a particularly stressful situation, you have a concern you'd like to focus on today.
You're looking for clarity and direction.
You'd like help sorting through your thoughts, exploring your options, and deciding on your next steps.
Life is busy right now.
Regular appointments aren't realistic at the moment, but you still want meaningful support when you need it.
You've been to therapy before and would like a "booster."
You've built a strong foundation and are looking for a focused conversation to help you navigate a new challenge or get back on track.
You're curious about therapy.
One-at-a-Time Counselling offers a welcoming, low-pressure way to experience therapy and see whether it's a good fit for you.
You want to address a concern early.
Something doesn't feel quite right, and you'd like to figure it out before it becomes overwhelming.
You're ready to develop a plan and take action.
You value conversations that help you gain insight, identify strategies, and move forward with greater confidence.
If you're unsure whether One-at-a-Time Counselling is the right fit, we're happy to help. A brief consultation can help determine whether One-at-a-Time Counselling or ongoing therapy is best to meet your needs.
How One-at-a-Time Counselling Differs from Ongoing Therapy
Two different approaches. One shared goal: helping you move forward.
One-at-a-Time Counselling and ongoing therapy are both evidence-based approaches to care. One isn't better than the other— each approach is designed to meet different needs at different times.
Ongoing therapy involves meeting with the same therapist on a regular basis over time. It can be especially helpful for exploring longstanding concerns, working through complex challenges, processing trauma, developing new patterns, and building lasting change through an ongoing therapeutic relationship.
One-at-a-Time Counselling is designed differently. Each session is intended to be complete in and of itself, with a focus on the concern that feels most important to you today. Together, you and your therapist will work toward meaningful insight, practical strategies, and a clear sense of your next steps. If you decide another session would be helpful, you're always welcome to re-book.
One-at-a-Time Counselling
Booking: Schedule sessions as needed
Focus: A specific concern or goal
Approach: Each session is complete in and of itself
Best suited for: Focused support, decision-making, life transitions, or timely guidance
Ongoing Therapy
Booking: Regularly scheduled appointments
Focus: Ongoing patterns, goals, or broader concerns
Approach: Progress builds across multiple sessions
Best suited for: Longer-term growth, complex concerns, or ongoing support
Many people benefit from both approaches at different times in their lives. Some begin with One-at-a-Time Counselling and later choose ongoing therapy. Others use One-at-a-Time Counselling as an occasional check-in alongside other supports. The right choice depends on your goals, your circumstances, and the kind of support that feels right for you.
If you're unsure which approach is the best fit, we're happy to help. Reach out for a brief consultation, and we'll work with you to determine which option best meets your needs.
Our Approach
Thoughtful, collaborative, and tailored to you.
One-at-a-Time Counselling is a flexible model of care rather than a single therapeutic approach. At Lodestone Psychology, our therapists tailor each session to your unique goals, drawing from a range of evidence-based therapies and techniques to provide the support that's most likely to be helpful in that moment.
Depending on your needs, your therapist will draw from a variety of practical, focused approaches such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, among others. Rather than following a single model, we use the approaches that best fit your concerns, strengths, and goals.
While every therapist has their own style, you'll find some common themes throughout One-at-a-Time Counselling at Lodestone:
We begin with what matters most to you.
Your therapist will work with you to identify the concern that's having the greatest impact right now and what you hope to gain from your session.
We recognize your strengths.
Even during difficult times, people bring resilience, skills, and resources that can be built upon. Therapy isn't just about identifying problems—it's also about recognizing what's already helping and how to build from it.
We work collaboratively.
You are the expert on your own life and experiences. Your therapist brings clinical expertise, evidence-based tools, and a supportive perspective. Together, you'll develop an approach that feels realistic and meaningful for you.
We focus on practical change.
Whether that means gaining a new perspective, learning a coping strategy, clarifying a difficult decision, or identifying one meaningful next step, our goal is to help you leave with something you can carry forward.
Meaningful change can begin with one conversation.
Sometimes a single session is enough to help someone move forward, and sometimes it's the first step in a longer journey. Either way, every session is approached with care, intention, and the understanding that even one session provides an opportunity for meaningful change.
Ready When You Are
No pressure. Just support, when you need it.
Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, and we want you to know that at Lodestone Psychology, there's no pressure to have everything figured out before you begin. You don't need the perfect words, a complete understanding of what's wrong, or certainty that therapy is the right answer.
You simply need a place to start.
Here's how:
Browse our therapist profiles to find someone who feels like a good fit.
Book a complimentary consultation to ask questions and learn more about One-at-a-Time Counselling.
Book a One-at-a-Time Counselling session whenever you're ready. We'll meet you where you’re at and help you determine what feels most helpful from there.
Whether you come for one conversation or choose to continue your therapeutic journey, we're here to provide compassion and care.
