Definitely you want at least a couple sessions to see if it is a good fit. The first appointment is mostly getting the basics in. Some therapists can be kinda officious at this point because to them it is completely routine and old hat as they check off boxes. In my experience the second session is more telling. Although I can never open up immediately, I can get an idea about the future.

Personally as a bipolar 2 person, I finally after almost two decades in therapy ended up with a very good match. Someone else choose her for me. Telling.

Anyway, J is very blunt and will tell it exactly like it is. She doesn't care if it pisses me off. Her sight is on the long range goal of a healthier me. Letting me wallow in self pity isn't getting me there any faster. It is slowing me down. The thing is because she is like this I began to really trust her. When she said I had hypomania, I took her very seriously. When she said I was manic and needed to go inpatient, I trusted her even though I had no idea I was manic.

For me with bipolar, I need that honesty. I don't want a therapist to soft pedal a concern. If there is something to worry about in my behavior, I want it out there and straight forward. So I can see it and we can make a plan for me to work on it. She isn't cruel and doesn't mean to ever hurt me. But she is very honest. The truth can hurt at times.

All that said. There is truly not one therapist or type of therapist for everyone. Try and keep an open mind and see who is out there.