Hey. I'm sorry I haven't followed more of this. There is another thread in the vicinity about your first appointment, isn't there? I'll take a look. That might involve my re-writing this response at some point lol.

I have fairly instant 'gut reactions' about whether there is likely to be a good fit or not too. I guess I have fairly fixed ideas about what sort of therapist I prefer and I can assess those kinds of things in the first session typically. At least... I get a 'yes i think maybe' or a 'no'. My 'no' is not likely to turn into a yes. Some of the 'yes' can subsequently become 'no', however.

If you were on your 9th or 10th therapist and none of them seemed to be fitting you quite right then I'd be a bit concerned about whether you weren't giving them an adequate chance. This isn't your 9th or 10th therapist that you have interviewed though - is it? It can indeed take a few interviews. 9 or 10 different therapists isn't unheard of.

Do you know what sort of qualities you would like in a therapist?

I don't know about the face thing, necessarily... But I do think that it is important to show up for appointments that are scheduled if you can't give adequate notice. If you don't have another appointment well... Maybe it is time to interview someone else? You can always make an appointment with her later after interviewing some others if you change your mind.