The fact is, some therapists are remarkably competent in all respects, but the chemistry between the two of you may not work. This is nobody's fault, it's just the way it is. If you do encounter a situation of mismatched chemistries, try not to be discouraged, and do continue with your search . If your personal preference is to be with a therapist of one gender or the other, then that is also one of your determining factors. After all, this process is difficult enough without others trying to influence you or change your mind.
Some people like to interview several therapists before they decide on one.
From a consumer perspective, this is a good approach, for several reasons. First, it breaks the ice if you've never set foot in a therapist's office before. Second, it gives you a feel for the way different people approach the same problem, and one therapist's approach may clearly feel better to you than another's. On the other hand, from another perspective, the interviewing of several therapists before choosing one can be problematic. Many potential clients also feel that the first hour or session of therapy should be free or with no charge.