A decision you keep circling.
Whether to leave a job, end a relationship, move, have a child, change careers. You've already done the thinking. You want to do it out loud with someone who can hold the shape of it with you.
Single session therapy · North County San Diego
Single session therapy, in one conversation.
One extended appointment with a licensed psychologist, built around one specific thing you want to think through. No intake process. No treatment plan. No expectation that you keep coming. Just the session itself, and what you leave with.
4.9 on Google · 90+ reviews · Doctoral-level, serving North County since 2018
Format
One session
Standalone. No package, no commitment.
Length
60 min to 3 hours
$345–$900, depending on length
Where
Carlsbad
Or online anywhere in California
Start with
A free 15-min call
$0, to confirm fit and length
The format
Not a course of therapy. One thoughtful conversation.
Most therapy unfolds over weeks or months. A Single Session Consultation is different on purpose: one extended appointment, structured around the specific question, decision, or relational dynamic you want to work on.
Sessions run 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 110 minutes, or three hours, depending on what you're bringing and whether you're coming alone or with another person. You spend that time with a licensed psychologist who is there to help you think more clearly, find language for what you're experiencing, and leave with a sense of what to do next.
There is no treatment plan, no diagnostic workup, and no follow-up sessions on the calendar afterward. The session itself is the entire engagement.
Who this is for
One session works best for one specific thing.
People book a single session when they can name what they want to work on. If you can finish the sentence "I want to think through…", this format probably fits.
A conversation you're preparing to have.
Telling a parent something difficult. Setting a boundary with a partner. Coming out to someone. Asking for something at work. You want to walk in with more clarity about what you actually want to say.
A recent transition you're still inside.
A move, a breakup, the loss of a friendship, a new role, a death. You don't necessarily need long-term therapy. You need one good conversation to help you make sense of where you are.
A pattern in one relationship.
The same argument with a partner, a parent, a sibling, a colleague. You want to understand what's underneath the pattern instead of just rehearsing it again.
A reset inside therapy you're already in.
You're working with another therapist and something specific has come up you'd like to think through with fresh eyes, without disrupting the work you're doing elsewhere.
A way to try therapy on something real.
You've never done this before and you want one focused conversation on something that actually matters before deciding whether to commit to ongoing work.
Why one session
The most common number of sessions is one.
Across clinics and countries, the single most common number of therapy appointments a person attends is one. For a long time that was read as dropout, as something that went wrong. Single session therapy starts from the opposite assumption: that one appointment, entered deliberately and used well, can be a complete piece of work.
That changes how the hour is built. There is no time spent on paperwork or history-taking for its own sake. The psychologist works with you on the thing you came in with, from the first minute, and brings the session to a close with you clearer than you arrived. Our approach is relational and depth-oriented, the same stance described on our depth-oriented therapy page, compressed into one deliberate conversation.
The point of the session
Three things you should expect to walk out with.
You do not leave with a written report or a treatment plan. What you leave with is harder to put on paper and usually more useful.
Clarity about the thing itself.
Whatever you came in with, you'll leave with a more precise understanding of what's actually going on. The decision sharpens. The pattern becomes legible. The feeling has a name.
Language you didn't have before.
A way of describing what's happening, to yourself, to your partner, to your therapist, to whoever needs to know. Often the most useful thing about one good conversation is leaving with the words.
A sense of what to do next.
Not a prescription. A direction. Sometimes that's a concrete step. Sometimes it's permission to wait. Sometimes it's a clear recommendation to begin ongoing therapy, with us or elsewhere.
Length & fees
Pick the length that fits what you're bringing.
Couples, dyads, and families get longer sessions because two people need more room. A dyad is any two-person relationship who wants to work on something together. Most often a couple, but it can also be a parent and an adult child, two friends, two siblings, or two colleagues. Three or more people calls for a different format, and we'll point you toward family therapy if that's where you are.
- Format
- One extended session Standalone. No package, no ongoing commitment.
- Individuals
- 60 or 90 minutes $345 / $520
- Couples, dyads & families
- 110 minutes or 3 hours $600 / $900
- Who it is for
- Adults 18 and older For younger clients, see child and teen therapy.
- Location
- Carlsbad Or online anywhere in California
- First step
- Free 15-minute call To confirm fit and session length
- Payment
- Private pay Superbills possible; not guaranteed
Every fee we charge, for every service, is listed on our Cost + Info page, along with how out-of-network reimbursement works.
Book a free 15-minute callWhen it's not the right format
We'd rather steer you somewhere that fits.
A Single Session Consultation is built for one focused, bounded conversation. It's not the right format when:
01
You're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself.
Please call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. We can talk about ongoing care once you're safe.
02
You're navigating something chronic or longstanding.
This format is built for one bounded conversation. Chronic or longstanding work needs the continuity of ongoing care.
03
Insurance reimbursement is essential to you.
We don't bill insurance directly, and a single session may not produce the diagnosis your insurer needs.
04
You want a continuous therapeutic relationship.
That's what our ongoing therapy is for, and what most people actually need.
05
You're a minor.
This service is currently for adults 18 and older. For younger clients, see our child and adolescent therapy.
06
You're not located in California.
Our psychologists are licensed here and can only work with people physically located in the state at the time of the session.
If any of these describe you, ongoing therapy is likely a better fit. If you're not sure, book the 15-minute call and we'll help you figure it out honestly.
Explore ongoing therapy →Where this fits
Three ways to begin with us.
All three start with the same free 15-minute call, so you don't have to decide between them before you talk to anyone.
| Comparison | This page Single Session Therapy | Three sessions Insight Sessions | Ongoing Weekly Therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | One session, 60 minutes to 3 hours | Three appointments over a few weeks | Weekly, ongoing |
| What it is | One focused conversation about a specific issue. | A clinical intake, psychological assessments, and a feedback session. | A continuous therapeutic relationship. |
| Best for | A bounded question, decision, or relational dynamic. | Understanding patterns in mood, personality, coping, or cognition. | Working through something deeper or longer-term. |
| Diagnosis? | Sometimes, if clinically appropriate. | Sometimes, if clinically appropriate. | As part of treatment. |
| Investment | $345 – $900 | $840 | $230 – $300 per session |
Single session therapy, answered
Straight answers to common questions.
What is single session therapy?
Single session therapy is one standalone appointment designed to be complete in itself, rather than the first of many. Instead of opening with a full intake and a treatment plan, the therapist works with you on one specific question, decision, or pattern for the whole session, and the engagement ends there unless you choose otherwise. It is a recognized way of working, not an abbreviated version of ongoing therapy.
Can one therapy session actually help?
For a bounded, specific problem, often yes. The most common number of therapy sessions a person attends anywhere in the world is one, and single session therapy is built around that reality rather than treating it as a failure. It works best when you arrive with something particular you want to think through. It is not a substitute for ongoing care when the difficulty is chronic, longstanding, or tied to safety.
How is this different from a free consultation?
A free 15-minute consultation is a short phone call to work out whether we are a fit and who you should see. It is logistics, and it costs nothing. A Single Session Consultation is a paid clinical appointment of 60 minutes to 3 hours with a licensed psychologist, where the actual work happens. Every single session starts with the free call, so the two are sequential rather than alternatives.
Who is single session therapy not right for?
It is not the right format if you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, if what you are carrying is chronic or longstanding, if insurance reimbursement is essential to you, or if what you actually want is a continuous therapeutic relationship. It is currently available to adults 18 and older who are physically located in California at the time of the session.
Who you'll see
Held by a psychologist trained to do this well.
Single Session Consultations require a particular skill set: helping someone open up the right amount in a finite window, working with what surfaces, and bringing the session to a thoughtful close with the person clearer than they came in.
Dr. Julieta Aguilera Rice brought this model to Coastal Therapy Group and currently leads it. Additional psychologists on our team will offer it as the service grows.
Dr. Aguilera Rice works with children, adolescents, and adults, with particular focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and ADHD. At Coastal Therapy Group she leads the Connected Parenting Group, co-leads the in-person Grief Group, and sees individual, couples, and family clients at our Carlsbad office. She speaks English, Spanish, and French.
Read Dr. Aguilera Rice's full bio →Questions people ask before booking
Frequently asked questions about single sessions.
01 How much does a single session cost?
Individual sessions are $345 for 60 minutes or $520 for 90 minutes. Two-person sessions, for couples, dyads, and families, are $600 for 110 minutes or $900 for 3 hours. Payment is collected at the time of booking. Full fees for every service we offer are on our Cost + Info page.
02 Do I have to start ongoing therapy afterward?
No. A Single Session Consultation is designed as a standalone service. If during the session it becomes clear that ongoing work would be helpful, the psychologist will say so and may offer a referral, but you're never obligated.
03 Can I start ongoing therapy at CTG afterward if I want to?
Yes. Many people use a Single Session as a low-pressure way to find out whether therapy is useful before committing to more. If you want to continue, it would begin as a separate engagement with its own intake.
04 Will I receive a diagnosis?
Sometimes. A diagnosis may be provided if it's clinically appropriate. One session isn't always enough information to assign one with confidence, and for many people a diagnosis isn't needed to do meaningful work.
05 Can I submit a superbill to my insurance?
A superbill requires a diagnosis. If a diagnosis is clinically appropriate, a superbill can be issued for you to submit to your insurer. We can't guarantee that a diagnosis will be provided or that your insurer will reimburse. If insurance coverage is essential, our ongoing therapy services are usually a better fit. Our Cost + Info page explains how out-of-network reimbursement works.
06 What's the difference between this and Insight Sessions?
Insight Sessions are a three-appointment process that includes a clinical intake, a set of psychological assessments, and a feedback session. They're designed to give you a fuller picture of patterns in mood, personality, coping, or cognition. A Single Session Consultation is one focused conversation. Different shape, different use case.
07 What's the difference between this and a Couples Intensive?
A Couples Intensive is a longer, more structured therapeutic deep dive built around your relationship, often with assessment and follow-up sessions. A Single Session Consultation is one focused conversation about a specific dynamic or decision. Both are valid for couples; we'll help you figure out which fits on the 15-minute call.
08 Can I bring my partner, parent, or close friend?
Yes. Two-person sessions are 110 minutes ($600) or 3 hours ($900). The other person needs to consent, and they'll be part of the 15-minute consultation call as well.
09 Is it in person or online?
Both. We see Single Session clients in person at our Carlsbad office and by secure video anywhere in California. They will eventually be offered at our Encinitas and Vista offices.
10 What if I realize during the session that I want more time?
It happens. If it's clear partway through that one session isn't enough, or something surfaces that calls for ongoing care, the psychologist will say so and talk with you about next steps.
11 Do you offer this for kids or teens?
Not currently. Single Session Consultation is available to adults 18 and older. For younger clients, please see our child therapy, teen therapy, and Insight Sessions options.
Ready when you are
One good conversation can move a lot.
If a single session sounds like the right fit for what you're carrying, the first step is a free 15-minute call. We'll confirm fit, recommend a session length, and schedule the session. If a different format would serve you better, we'll tell you that honestly.
4.9 on Google · 90+ reviews · Serving North County since 2018
Where we are
Single sessions in Carlsbad, or online across California.
Single Session Consultations are held in person at our Carlsbad office and by secure video anywhere in California. Our Encinitas and Vista offices offer our other services.
Book a free 15-minute call →