The real pain is when you meet them and they turn out to be the wrong person for you.

Not just them, and kind of medical specialist.

You may already know of this resource, but psychologytoday.come has detailed therapist profiles that help you make a more informed choice. Lots of therapist do telehealth now too so you don’t necissarially have to live close to them. Or you can find a telehealth therapist until you find an in person one. Hope that offers some help.

I found post-pandemic so many therapists are working from home instead of the office that the wait times actually lowered.

Edit: for therapists and social workers.