I agree that it is always a crap-shoot. There will always be those who can and do benefit tremendously from therapy and wind up with **** therapists and then those who will feel that because they have not found the right fit they are doomed to live in pain.
I have personally given this a great deal of thought, I have had several bad experiences - and I wonder constantly if success is possible for me. Yet, I do believe in the potential value. I am willing to do the work, a bit less quick to trust, but my expectations are not excessive or demanding. I need integrity, smarts, intuitiveness, honesty, a sense of levity (can't cry all the time) and clear boundaries. One would think it's not a difficult combination to find....one would be incorrect.....