I found that it depends on the therapist that you chose. Some, you know right off the bat that it just doesn't click, or they don't get you. Others, you have to give it a chance. I would definitely say, on average, more than 5 visits easily.

Usually, the therapists use the first 4,5, or 6 visits to get a complete understanding of your background history and what you want to accomplish. Then, you start to really delve into your anxieties and the causes for all these feelings and how to deal with them. I found that with my therapist, it took a good 6-10 months before I had a real breakthrough with her. But, the one before that, I knew inside of 3 or 4 visits that we just weren't clicking. So, chose wisely, know what you want to get out of therapy, and trust your instinct. Just because one doesn't work out doesn't mean another won't!!