My first appointment with my psychiatrist happened when I was a voluntary patient in a psychiatric hospital - he recommended a clinical psychologist to me.

In both cases the first few sessions were spent "getting to know each other".

As a client, I think that asking questions like "Do I trust this person?" and "Do I have rapport with him/her?" in those early sessions is important. There are no "right" answers to them but your answers are what matter.

In my case it was certainly "worth it". I am now on a "care and maintenance" basis with both my psychiatrist and clinical psychologist - seeing them once every six months or so for a quick chat and (in the case of my psychiatrist) getting a refill prescription for my anti-depressant.

All the best.