The low ratings of RVPS surprise me because I have not seen anything wrong with either the office or my therapist, Dr. Monica Bristow. I just want to give my two cents on choosing a therapist. Finding a therapist that you can work with is the most important step to having successful therapy. It requires work on the part of the patient. Think about what you want to get out of therapy and write those elements down. Even a list of pros/cons will give you an idea of what to look for. For example, I don't want a therapist that deals with shamanism (one of the truly strange encounters in my search in Redmond a few years back) or a religious based therapy which I tried but didn't work for me. So I asked myself, what exactly am I looking for? I have a general idea of my issues. I looked for someone who was empathetic, but wouldn't hesitate to point out truths about my behaviors that need addressing. After going through this process, start reading up on types of therapy out there. Marriage counseling, grief therapy, children/teen therapy. When Googling for best therapists for (insert issue), look at their background, where they obtained their degree and what specialties they list. For me, I wanted someone who had experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Read the reviews on the specific therapist, not necessarily the office. Believe me, you can put up with ANY office antics if you know you have a competent therapist. Then check to see if they are taking on new patients and if so, schedule an appointment. Once you have done that work, at your appointment go over your goals and get a feel for the way they interact with you and if you "vibe" with them. Ask questions! Do they listen well? Here is the hard truth: finding a therapist that fills the bill can take awhile and might cost a bit of money because intake sessions are usually pretty high. Don't accept a substitute therapist. You didn't vet them and that isn't good for your therapy progress.Most therapists will tell you in advance when they will take a vacation and an occasional illness should be expected and don't take it personal. If you have an emergency crises situation, that is different. Get help by either the person on call, or try the new system of getting emergency help. I can't remember offhand if it is 811, or some other number. Find that information because calling 911-you will be at the mercy of the cop's behavior and let's face it, that is not their primary job and they will come armed. It happened to me that a family member called 911 for a welfare check, and one of the two cops instructed me to get on the ground after I had turned my back on them to turn on the lights. They believed I was reaching for a weapon when I turned. Mind you, I was suicidal NOT homicidal. It was humiliating and certainly not an appropriate for my situation. Good luck on your quest for a good therapist! read more