What to Expect During Your First Telehealth Session: A Step-by-Step Guide
Telehealth is a convenient and effective way to access mental health care from the comfort of your home. If you're considering a telehealth appointment, you might feel uncertain about what to expect, especially if it's your first time. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps of what happens during your first telehealth session with me, so you feel confident and prepared.
Step 1: Scheduling Your Appointment Your first step is booking your appointment online. Once you've selected a time that works for you, you'll receive a confirmation email with all the necessary details. You’ll also get a link to your secure video chat room and instructions on how to prepare.
Step 2: Preparing for the Session Before your session, make sure you're in a quiet, private space where you can talk without distractions. Have your device ready (whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or smartphone) and ensure you have a strong internet connection.
Step 3: The Consultation During the initial consultation, we'll discuss your mental health history, current challenges, and what you're hoping to achieve through our sessions. I take a holistic approach, so expect us to talk about your lifestyle, diet, stress management, and emotional health—not just medication options.
I’ll ask about your current symptoms, any treatments you’ve tried, and other factors that might be impacting your well-being, such as work stress, family dynamics, or physical health.
Step 4: Developing a Personalized Plan Based on the information you share, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan. This might include therapy, lifestyle modifications, medication management, and other complementary approaches such as mindfulness or nutrition counseling.
Step 5: Next Steps At the end of the session, I’ll outline the next steps in your treatment plan. This may include scheduling a follow-up appointment, exploring lifestyle changes, or providing educational resources.
Your first telehealth session is a great opportunity to explore what mental health care looks like in a telehealth environment. By the end of the session, you’ll have a better understanding of how I can help support your mental wellness through a personalized, holistic approach. Ready to get started? Schedule your consultation today!