Good thread!

FWIW, I've had prospective Ts get pretty prickly with me during the intake session, when I've come across as if I know what I want. Some Ts are threatened by a client who is evaluating their options. It's so wrong, but it happens. This one you described sounds insecure to me. Seems like you're better off without her.

I'm so bad at this myself -- I tend to forget that therapists are people, and I just charge in asking for what I want. Some of them find it abrasive, even ones who aren't oversensitive or insecure. Lately in initial sessions with new Ts, I've tried to be more respectful and to seem like I'm open to the future. It's kind of like an audition for something, or a job interview. Better to focus on what the new T might have to offer, than to spend too much time talking about former experiences. But in your case, where you know exactly which kind of treatment you want right out of the gate, you'll have to state that of course...

And as my current T never ceases to remind me, we communicate with each other in ways that are non-verbal. So maybe adjust body language and facial expression a bit?

(sigh) I don't really know what I'm saying -- other than that you have to walk on eggshells with therapists, maybe