I was referred to my T by the residential treatment center I was in.
I checked her out on psychology today website, and then found her own website. I really hated her description, and her picture. It is the cheesiest and most annoying description. (ok, not as bad as the plant example you gave, but almost) The pictures of her office looked like a cluttered mess. Obnoxious.

I've been with her a year now and there has been ups and downs but I think she is a good T. Her office doesn't bother me anymore - it is kind of cozy. And she really doesn't look like her picture at all.
I still don't like how she summarizes herself and how she has described her practice, but IMO that wasn't a real reflection of *her* and what kind of T she really is.

Pachyderm, your fears are real and understandable. No one can really understand the depths of how hard this is for you.
It will take a leap of faith and lots of courage to keep trying.
But there's no doubting that you are worth it.