CMHIS is thrilled to launch Navigating the Now! This set of five thoughtfully planned, national learning events features dynamic speakers who bring timely, relevant mental health topics to life through the lens of implementation science. Each event will explore real-world pain points and current themes. Read below for more information about what’s happening in May!

Advancing Access to Mental Health Services through Single Session Interventions

May 21-June 18, 2026 | 9-10 a.m. PT, 10-11 a.m. MT, 11 a.m.-noon CT, noon-1 p.m. ET

What if therapy worked in one visit? Most evidence-based mental health treatments include 8–20 sessions, yet the average number of visits people receive is one. This mismatch has sparked interest in single-session interventions (SSIs)—structured, evidence-based programs designed to deliver meaningful benefit in one encounter. 

Join the Pacific West Hub for a three-part series that will help leaders of behavioral health organizations and systems understand the potential impact of single-session interventions (SSIs) as an efficient, evidence-based approach to increasing access to mental health services and improving clinical outcomes. Each 1-hour session focuses on key issues related to selecting, implementing, and sustaining SSIs, with particular attention to fit within community mental health and public-sector settings. 

• Session 1: Foundations of SSIs (May 21 ~ 9-10 am Pacific)
• Session 2: Implementation Lessons from the Field (May 28 ~ 9-10 am Pacific)
• Session 3 Workshop: Apply here by June 8 (June 18 ~ 9-10 am Pacific)

Participants will gain a clear understanding of what SSIs are, where and when they can be most effective, identify implementation challenges, explore methods to encourage real-world use, and reflect on how local context shapes SSI design, delivery, and sustainability. An applied workshop in session three will support participants in moving from conceptual interest to concrete action through a structured implementation planning process. Register here!

Speaker

Dr. Jessica L. Schleider, Founding Director, Lab for Scalable Mental Health and Associate Professor of Medical Social Sciences, Pediatrics, and Psychology at Northwestern University

Dr. Schleider’s professional mission is to build, test, and disseminate scalable mental health solutions that bridge gaps in mental health ecosystems, with a focus on single-session interventions (SSIs) for youth. In support of her research, she has secured >$13 million in federal, foundation, and industry funding. She has been recognized via numerous national awards for research excellence and innovation, including the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, and she was previously chosen as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Healthcare.