What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Understanding the New World of Telehealth Psychiatry

Gone are the days when you had to drive to a therapy or psychiatry office to receive mental healthcare. For many people, it can be a relief not to have to travel to an appointment, especially when you’re already struggling and simply getting out the door feels like a challenge.

Back in 2018, I remember the heaviness gradually increasing day by day. I knew what it was, I was in nursing school, after all—I had heard about depression. That knowledge didn’t make it easier. I tried all the things that were supposed to help boost my mood, such as socializing, exercising, and going outdoors. However, these simply left me even more exhausted.

I knew I needed help but had no idea where to get it. This was before the days of BetterHelp and the abundance of online therapy options. I used every ounce of energy left in the day to research mental health options covered by insurance. Finally, I mustered the energy to make the call and explain to a stranger that I needed help.

My appointment was scheduled for a month later. Quite long, but I can wait.

When the day finally arrived, I went through the appointment only to learn that it was an intake—not my first therapy session. Because of the waitlist, I had to wait another two months for my first therapy appointment.

It was so discouraging at a time when getting help already felt so difficult.

I heard similar stories to my own time and time again when working in the psychiatric hospital.

Telehealth is a breakthrough in mental healthcare that wasn’t available to me at the time, but is now widely accessible. One of my goals is to increase access to mental healthcare for people from the comfort of their own home. Whether someone is struggling with depression, making it difficult to find motivation to make appointments, or anxiety that can come with in-person appointments, or a neurodevelopmental condition that makes social interaction and overstimulation a constant barrier, telehealth removes some of the obstacles between people and the care they need.

Sometimes, increasing access to mental healthcare starts with simply making it easier to get through the door—or, in this case, log in.

How to Schedule an Appointment

Here’s my Alma profile, where you can easily schedule either a free 15-minute consultation or an initial intake appointment using the “Book Session” button at the top right.

If you have questions after reading this article, I’m happy to answer them during a free consultation call. If you’re ready to begin treatment, I recommend scheduling an initial intake appointment.

How Much Does It Cost?

It’s important to me to offer insurance coverage, as this is the only way many people can afford healthcare. The list of accepted insurances can be found on my Alma profile. If your insurance is listed but you’re still not sure how much it will cost, there is an estimated cost tool that can be found right below the ‘Book Session’ button. Simply enter your insurance information, and it will calculate what you’ll be expected to pay. This can give you a better idea of what you may be expected to pay before your appointment.

Before Your First Appointment

There are a few things you can do to prepare for your first appointment:

1. Complete your forms. Alma will email you a few consent forms to sign and brief questionnaires to complete. These must be completed and signed before your scheduled appointment.
2. Prepare a medication list. If you’re interested in medication services, please make a list of all medications and supplements you currently take.
3. Provide previous records if you’d like. It is completely up to you whether you would like to provide previous mental health or medical records. In some cases, these can be helpful in informing treatment. If you have access to your records, you can send them to me directly through the Alma portal, or you can sign a release of information form so I can request them.

Don’t worry if you don’t know your complete mental health or medical history. Just share what you remember—any information you have is helpful.

What To Expect During the First Appointment

Think of the first appointment as a getting-to-know-you and information-gathering session.

It takes time to build an individualized treatment plan together. We will go over questions relating to your current concerns and mental health symptoms, such as mood, sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration. We’ll also consider recent changes and stressors in your life. We’ll discuss your psychiatric, family, medical, and social history.

Feel free to share as much or as little detail as you would like during the first session. I understand that it can take some people longer than others to feel comfortable opening up.

Sensitive topics may include thoughts of self-harm or suicide. We’ll discuss these openly so I can understand what you’re experiencing and help keep you safe. In situations where there is an immediate safety concern, additional steps may be necessary. We may also discuss alcohol, marijuana, and other substance use, as these can affect mental health and treatment.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Mental health diagnoses are approached as an ongoing process. An initial diagnosis may change as new information emerges and as your circumstances, environment, and needs evolve.

Medication and/or therapy will be recommended depending on the severity of symptoms and your individual situation. We’ll make this decision together, considering potential benefits, risks, and what feels like the right approach for you.

I also often recommend lifestyle interventions alongside therapy and medication to improve stress levels and promote holistic health and well-being. Treatment is an ongoing, collaborative process that evolves with you and your unique needs and circumstances. We’ll work together to determine the approach that best supports you at each stage of your care.

After the Appointment

Following our first appointment, I encourage you to reflect on what we discussed and the treatment plan. If there’s anything you forgot to bring up, jot it down to discuss next session.

We’ll schedule follow-up appointments based on your needs and availability. We will come up with a plan together to ensure symptoms are managed while being flexible with your schedule.

If you have questions, concerns, or need a sooner appointment, you can always message me via the Alma portal. If you ever have concerns about the treatment plan, don’t hesitate to bring it up. Treatment is most effective when we are all on the same page.

Your first appointment isn’t a test you need to prepare perfectly for. It’s the beginning of a collaborative process—an opportunity to share your story, look at the whole picture, and begin building a treatment plan together.