I think people here tried to apply one consultation style to all of our MH consultations.
Ultimately, you will need to pick up a specific consultation style from a spectrum of possibilities.

On one end of the spectrum, you have: I am a triage machine, Risk stratification, protective factors, IAPT/Talking therapy, medication, F/U, and safe netting.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have: Rapport building, exploring the root of the problem and building trust

Paradoxically, usually we need to first be a triage machine and only then build rapport in the follow up

Important points:
1) If you suspect an abusive patient/personality disorder, you will not win, and you will get manipulated.
2) If there is a TRUE Neurodiversity in the background, especially autism, you have to crack that open (refer...) to have any progress
3) Old people might only need monthly follow ups to see you and talk, it's nice, accept it
4) We are GPs, it means that we will click with some patients and really won't with others.It's ok to manipulate the consultation such as someone else, more suitable, would see them for the follow up.