Going to a psychiatrist in the New Year - what can I expect?

Hi I have a lot of issues, and finally I am going to a formal psychiatrist in January (have an appointment).

I've never been to one before. What can I expect?

What should I be prepared to say, or do? Will he want to hear my life story? Or just my mental-health-related life story?

Will it be more a focus on medication I've been prescribed by my family doctor & what worked and what didn't?

PS I've talked to a number of different counsellor-type people, and it takes a while for me to disclose myself, for the person to get to know me, and understand my problems in the context of my whole life. I fear now I have to go through this again. It may then be months before this guy can figure out anything to help.