Whether you're new to therapy or exploring online therapy for the first time, this article serves as your trusted companion, providing invaluable insights to empower your journey toward greater mental health.
What happens in Therapy?
When people seek therapy, it is often because they want something to be different in their lives. They may want to solve a particular problem, make a decision, or better understand their lives or themselves. Together with your Ruh Care therapist, you will be exploring your feelings, concerns, and the changes you are hoping for.
When the therapist understands your situation, they will support you in exploring various ways to meet your goals for therapy. Sometimes this may involve your therapist asking you certain questions, and other times it may involve practicing particular skills inside and outside of sessions. Some therapists and clients like homework in between sessions, and others prefer more active, engaging sessions delving deeper into emotions and thoughts. Each therapeutic relationship between a client and therapist is unique, and your 15-minute intro call is a great opportunity to ask your therapist about their approach and style.
It’s important to understand why your therapist may be making certain suggestions or using particular approaches. You won’t be forced to do anything in therapy. If you feel like something is not working for you, we encourage you to let your therapist know. Your therapist will try to explain processes and rationale clearly, and if you have any questions, please ask them. Your therapist is here to support you along your journey to better well-being.
The Intro Call
The free 15-minute intro call with your Ruh Care therapist is an opportunity to introduce yourself, share what brings you to therapy (your needs), share what you are looking to achieve through therapy (your goals), learn about your therapist’s approach, and ask questions to help you make an informed decision about therapy.
It’s important to note that intro calls are not therapy or counseling sessions. Coming prepared with some questions can help you get more out of your intro call, such as:
What experience do you have working with clients like me?
What does a typical session look like with you?
How many sessions do you think I may need, and how often should I come to therapy?
At the end of the intro call, your therapist will ask you if you’d like to book your first session, or if you’d like to take a bit more time to decide on your next steps. If your therapist feels you may achieve better results working with a different therapist, they will let you know.
If you would like to be matched with a different therapist, you are welcome to let the therapist know or send us a message on the Ruh Care platform chat or via email at [email protected].
What Can Therapy Help With?
Therapy is helpful for a variety of goals and challenges. When therapy is effective, clients report a variety of positive changes, including increased confidence, improved mood, more energy, increased clarity about decisions, enhanced problem‐solving, higher self‐esteem, greater self‐understanding, relief from previously troubling symptoms and patterns, and better relationships with other people.
Therapy is not effective for everyone all the time, and it does involve some risks.
Throughout therapy, clients may experience uncomfortable feelings or recall or talk about troubling incidents and memories. Sometimes, a desired change is accompanied by challenging consequences (e.g., gaining greater self‐confidence may change the dynamics of a relationship and lead to difficulties in some relationships with others).
Research demonstrates that when there is a good fit between therapist and client, as well as clear goals and commitment to therapy, clients experience positive outcomes in therapy - even after a few sessions!
Is Online Therapy as Effective as In-Person Therapy?
If you haven't tried online therapy, we would encourage you to give it a try. Emerging research is demonstrating that outcomes in online therapy and in-person therapy are comparable. A therapist who is skilled in offering in-person therapy is likely skilled in offering online therapy. The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client is a reliable predictor of positive outcomes.
How Long Does Therapy Take?
Every individual’s life journey, as well as needs and goals for therapy, are unique. Some clients may need just a couple of sessions to achieve their specific goals, while others may engage in therapy for longer periods. Your therapist will share a care plan with you early on in your work together and will assess your progress and adjust as needed.
Therapy is a personal journey, and the frequency and the number of sessions is personalized to suit your unique needs and goals. Along with your therapist, you may decide to schedule weekly, biweekly, monthly, or as-needed sessions.
Ultimately, it is your decision how long you engage in therapy, and how many sessions you have with your therapist.
If you have additional questions, you can reach out to us at [email protected] or call +1 416-639-5993.