Squirrel, the letters after the name don't mean a lot. I've had PhD psychologists who weren't for me, and now have a LMHC who has been a therapist for years and recently received her psychoanalysis certificate (additional schooling/training).

Cognitive Therapy is discussed here: www.guide to psychology.com and
here: http://www.nacbt.org/ and here: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Sec...ContentID=7952
and here: http://psychcentral.com/search/?Match=1&Terms=cbt

The first appointment is a getting to know one another, and in some cases, getting the billing/insurance information on file. The therapist will be interested in what brings you to therapy. You may have questions for the therapist about how long the person has been a therapist, what education and training the therapist has, if she thinks she can help, if she has helped others in similar situations, any questions you may have.