Your First Appointment at Rula

This article provides a step-by-step guide to your first appointment at Rula, from before you start the telehealth session to the steps you must complete immediately after. 

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Step 1: Your Client is Sent an Intake Packet

Prior to their first visit, clients receive a packet containing Consent Forms, a New Patient Intake Survey, and Measurement-Informed Care (MIC) surveys.

  1. Consent Forms (Mandatory)

  • Telehealth Appointments:  Patients are expected to sign consent forms directly in the virtual waiting room before entering the Zoom room.
  • In-Person Appointments: Consent forms are required; however, there is no automated system enforcement blocking attendance prior to the visit. Patients are required  to complete them during registration and prior to booking their first appointment with Rula. 

2. Measurement-Informed Care (MIC) Surveys 

  • Cadence & Reminders: Typically, patients are prompted to complete MIC forms approximately every 14 days. Reminder emails begin 48 hours before the scheduled visit. Patients are also prompted to complete outstanding MIC surveys in the virtual waiting room.
  • If Incomplete: MIC surveys are non-blocking. If a patient hasn't submitted their measures:
    1. Use the Reminder Function in the Provider Portal to send a prompt.
    2. Complete the MIC survey together with the patient during the session.

3. New Patient Intake Survey 

  • Intake surveys are non-blocking. If incomplete at session time, complete the questions directly with the patient during the visit and record responses in your Initial Assessment Note.

If you would like to follow up with a patient regarding outstanding forms prior to your session, please message them from within your provider portal.

Intake Survey Questions

Questions will vary depending on the clients appointment type (individual, couples, family, psych). To get a feels for the types of questions asked, here is what adults in individual therapy will be asked:

  1. What is your ethnicity?
  2. What is your preferred language?
  3. What is your gender identity?
  4. What are your pronouns?
  5. What is your marital status?
  6. What is your sexual orientation?
  7. What is your highest level of education?
  8. What is the name of you current employer or school?
  9. What is your current employment status?
  10. Do you have any history of or current military involvement?
    •  Please describe your military involvement
  11. Do you have a history of or current medical conditions?
    • Please describe your medical conditions
  12. Do you have a primary care doctor?
    • Please list the name and phone number of your primary care physician
  13. Are you taking any medications?
    •  Please list as much information as you can about your current medications
  14. Do you have a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner?
    • Please list the name and phone number of your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
  15. Have you previously received mental health treatment?
    • Please share any details about your prior mental health treatment that you would like your therapist to know.
  16. Which, if any, of the the following substances do you currently use?
  17. Which, if any, of the the following substances do you have a history of using?
  18. Briefly describe why you are seeking treatment at this time.
  19. Please provide an emergency contact name and phone number
  20. Have you completed an Advance Directive relating to your medical care?

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Step 2: Start the Telehealth Session

When it is time for your first client session at Rula, you can access Telehealth sessions from inside the chosen appointment on your calendar in the provider portal.

Note: You’re able to join the appointment up to 30 minutes before its starting time.

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Step 3: Complete the Initial Assessment

Every client receiving treatment at Rula must have an initial assessment completed during their first visit in order to identify treatment needs, establish a diagnosis, and determine a therapeutic fit. 

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Step 4: Document Your First Session

We often get questions from therapists about what to do directly after their first client session at Rula. There are a few tasks you must complete in order to properly document the session and be compensated for your time. 

 

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