I think a genuine apology goes a long way. Isn't that a thing in healthcare risk management, that the provider should own their ****-up and apologize rather than getting defensive, and they're, like, a billion per cent less likely to get sued?

I don't know if "rupture" is really the right word, but I've certainly been pissy at my T and felt hurt by his egregious lateness and general unavailability. Once he left for twenty minutes, in the middle of the session, to attend to another patient in crisis, and did not make up the time at the end. Another time he was 45 minutes late, and also did not make up the time. He apologized both times, was suitably chagrined, and it was genuine enough to mollify me.

I don't really view these as empathetic failings, just institutional strain and (at worst) a touch of laziness. Or maybe just **** time management. I don't know what I would have done if my T had ever acted like your (now former) T. I really hope the new one works out. Good luck, MLS.