Single Session Interventions (SSIs) in Schools

Written By Closegap Team
Practical playbooks for how to use Single Session Interventions within MTSS

Missed the launch? Start with More Care in Less Time, the first blog in our series on SSIs.

Where SSIs fit in Schools (and How)

Single-Session Interventions (SSIs) meet students where they are - on their devices, in an engaging format, with tools that are fast to try, easy to finish, and effective enough to matter between the bell and the bus. Ask students to complete them when they make the most sense for them. Oftentimes, completing an SSI pairs particularly well as an activity after a Closegap check-in since students are already reflecting on their needs.

Most schools find success implementing Closegap in advisory, homeroom, or morning meetings - or as a pre-session check-in with their counselor. SSIs complement their check-in as a Tier 1 support for all learners to self-select.

Closegap check-ins are built as a universal, daily Tier 1 support for all students to reflect on their emotions and share what’s really going on with a trusted adult. Schools often implement check-in routines during advisory, homeroom, or morning meetings, or as a pre-session check-in with their counselor. Students can self-select an SSI that they’re interested in, or staff can recommend them as Tier 2 targeted supports based on check in data. SSIs complement, not replace, intensive, human-led care as part of Tier 3 support systems.

“Adolescents are wise. Students already know what they need. SSIs let them choose the topic and move through it on their terms.” — Rachel Miller, Founder & CEO of Closegap

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. Ask students to complete them when they make sense for them.

Sample quick-start options

1) Advisory in 10 minutes (Tier 1 - Universal Supports)

  • Start off with a Closegap Check-in, as part of your daily routine, so students are already reflecting on what they need.

  • 0–1 min: Teacher frames: “Choose the topic that fits you today.”

  • 1–8 min: Students complete an SSI (self-paced).

  • 8–10 min: Silent reflection or exit ticket (“one skill I’ll try”).

    Pro tip: Keep headphones handy for quiet work time; let students opt out without penalty.

2) Counselor caseload booster (Tier 2/3 - Targeted and Intensive Interventions)

  • From Monitoring, filter by needs (e.g., body image, family issues, peer issues)

  • Recommend the relevant SSI (See How-To Guide) 

  • Pair the SSI with human care. In your next touchpoint, either in a group or individually, reflect with students. Ask: “What part helped? What’s still hard?”

Read more suggestions in the Implementation Guide on the Help Center!

Aligned to MTSS

School and district leaders are adding SSIs within their multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) plan.

Teachers can introduce and recommend SSIs during advisory, while counselors, psychologists, and support staff can recommend SSIs to extend skill-building between sessions.

Track student completion rates, see pre/post gains in progress monitoring, and continue focusing on time-to-follow up as leading indicators of more care in less time.

  • Tier 1 (universal): Use SSIs as opt-in learning during advisory/homeroom or after a whole-class check-in—one skill, 7–10 minutes.

  • Tier 2 (targeted): Recommend SSIs to students or groups based on check-in signals (e.g., peer conflict, family stress).

  • Tier 3 (intensive): SSIs complement, not replace, counseling—use as pre-work, between sessions, or as a skills refresher.

It doesn’t have to be therapy to be therapeutic. SSIs have promising impact and scale easily - see more in the Research behind SSIs.

Safety and privacy, first

Signals still route to staff in real time. Crisis alerts are built in. Upcoming Release 2 adds Self-Harm and Safety Plan modules that are teacher-recommended only to protect relationships and ensure follow-up. Our following resources focus on the upside - including digital wellbeing, dignity, and gratitude - to bring some warmth, without the fluff.

Closegap never sells or shares student or staff PII with partners or advertisers. Period.

Ready to try SSIs in your school?

Closegap Team
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The Evidence for Single-Session Interventions
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More Care in Less Time: Introducing Single-Session Interventions on Closegap