Whether you’re getting ready for your first appointment with your provider or have been seeing a provider through Rula for a while, below is a helpful checklist to help you make the most of your time together.
Complete your intake form (first appointment only)
Before your initial appointment with a new provider through Rula, you’ll be asked to answer a few questions that can help them get to know more about you and understand your goals for treatment.
This questionnaire typically takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and can be found in appointment confirmation and reminder emails.
We recommend completing this form at your earliest convenience so that your provider has time to review your information prior to your appointment.
If your provider does not receive your completed form prior to your session, they will need to spend time reviewing questions with you live during your session – taking away valuable time you could be getting to know each other and discussing your goals!
Accessing intake forms
Therapy and psychiatry intake forms are both accessed by following the link in your appointment reminder emails and do not require a password to complete.
Follow these recommendations for the smoothest experience:
- Complete the form on your computer rather than on a smartphone
- Turn off any ad blockers or pop-up blockers
- Clear your browser cache prior to filling out the form. Note: Clearing your cache while you are completing the form will reset your responses.
Complete your self check-in (all appointments)
Prior to each appointment, you’ll be asked to answer a few questions about how you’ve been feeling as part of Rula’s clinical approach to measurement-informed care. This short survey typically takes less than 5 minutes to complete and can be accessed through the patient portal, your appointment reminder emails, or the appointment waiting room.
Completing your survey in the waiting room will let you join the session 2 minutes early. Lack of completion will allow you to join at the exact start time.
Regularly completing these surveys also allows your provider to monitor any changes to your symptoms and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Telehealth appointment
In addition to completing the survey well before the appointment, you will also be reminded as you join your session. You'll have the option to complete the survey in the waiting room if you haven't already, right before you meet with your provider.
If you’re unable to complete your check-in survey prior to your appointment, your provider may choose to review your symptoms with you during your appointment.
In-person therapy appointment
We recommend completing the survey before arriving at your in-person appointment location.
Join your appointment
Telehealth appointments
Your appointments will take place via Zoom – a secure, HIPAA-compliant online video platform. While we recommend downloading the Zoom app, you'll automatically join via your web browser.
Learn more about accessing your appointment: Joining your telehealth (Zoom) appointment.
Note: We recommend joining your session from a quiet, comfortable place to minimize any potential distractions and ensure you can make the most of your time. Your provider will not be able to meet while you are driving a vehicle, and may not be able to meet if you are located out-of-state at the time of your session.
In-person appointments
If you’ve scheduled an in-person appointment, it will take place at a provider-operated office, which may include commercial or home offices that meet Rula’s requirements. The appointment location can be found on the appointment card in your patient portal and in your confirmation email.
Rejoining your telehealth session
There may be occasions when you accidentally end a session, or when technology issues end your meeting too early. If this happens, that's okay! You can always rejoin your session by clicking the "Rejoin session" button at the bottom of your screen.
This will take you back to your session with your provider.
Making the most of your appointments
New to therapy or psychiatry? Or just looking for some tips? We’ve got you covered with some helpful resources on what to expect and how to make the most of your appointments.
- First therapy session tips - What to expect and 5 ways to prepare
- First psychiatry appointment - What to expect from your first psychiatry appointment & 6 ways to prepare
- Make the most of therapy sessions - How to make the most of your therapy sessions [5 easy steps]
Updated