More Care in Less Time: Introducing Single-Session Interventions on Closegap
It doesn't have to be therapy to be therapeuticAfter 9 million student check-ins, the patterns are unmistakable: body image often appears alongside bullying; family stress travels with peer conflict; anxiety spikes when life shifts. Students aren’t vague. They’re specific.
“Body image questions like am I ugly? tend to co-occur with self-harm or suicidality. It’s very present in our data.” — Rachel Miller, CEO
We built something that meets those needs in the moment, without swallowing class time or pretending counseling isn’t essential. They’re called Single-Session Interventions, and they are now live under Resources in Closegap.
What is a Single Session Intervention?
A Single-Session Intervention (SSI) is a short, self-directed activity a student completes once. It teaches one concrete skill in 7–10 minutes and includes a quick reflection. SSIs don’t replace counseling. They free up human time for students who need intensive, direct support. It doesn’t have to be therapy to be therapeutic.
“If someone had handed my 14-year-old self a short, honest practice right when I needed it, I would’ve taken myself more seriously, sooner. Meet the need in the moment; make room for a caring adult when it matters most.” — Rachel
Watch the embedded video for a personal introduction to SSIs from Closegap’s Founder & CEO, Rachel.
Respecting Student Agency
Teens aren’t a problem to fix. They’re experts in their own lives. Closegap SSIs meet them where they are—on their devices, in engaging formats, with tools that are fast to try, easy to finish, and effective enough to matter between the bell and the bus.
When a student clicks into the SSI that their teacher recommends, they’re starting the journey to care. SSIs help out students by respecting their agency and their dignity, and the research shows promising impact of just one single session intervention. See more on our blog on the Evidence for Single-Session Interventions.
Because we’re building SSIs into Closegap, the same high standards for security and data privacy still apply. Signals still route to staff in real time, and we scan for crisis alerts in free text responses. We keep educators informed to ensure humans stay in the loop on student support.
Why SSIs are needed now
Nearly half of U.S. youth will face a diagnosable mental-health challenge before 18, and schools are short tens of thousands of counselors. Access can’t hinge on an adult’s calendar. SSIs give students a low-stakes, private on-ramp while keeping adults in the loop when it matters. See more on our blog about SSIs in Schools to see how they fit into your work and align to MTSS, and check out our Implementation Guide on our Help Center.
Every module includes a brief reflection on mood and self-efficacy so Closegap can link those signals to ongoing check-ins to study what works, for whom, and when. Then we do the most important part: ask students, listen, iterate. We’ll publish what we learn so the whole field gets better—not just Closegap.
What topics are covered in SSIs on Closegap?
We first prioritized the needs students report most:
Body Neutrality (with Koko) - find peace with your body
Peer Conflict - Build your conflict toolkit
Family Dynamics - Find calm during family stress.
Navigating Change - Stay grounded through big changes.
Guide to Bullying - Recognize, respond, and get help with bullies.
Even more resources are coming soon for you on Closegap!
Ready to explore more?
Log in to try SSIs
Book a 20-min walkthrough with our Partnerships Team
Help Center Implementation Guide
