Psychologists are PhDs. They can't prescribe meds but can do diagnostics and counseling (although if a pdoc disagrees with the diagnosis the pdoc will prevail usually. Sometimes they'll discuss it and come up with a compromise diagnosis). There are also counselors (called LPCCs in a lot of states-licenced professional clinical counselors and social workers (LSW). If you want to try therapy before meds one of those are the ones to look for.

Online dr. ratings tend to not be very accurate since people are more likely to rate them if they are angry. I've also seen things like my pdoc marked as a pediatrician with the same name in a different city.

It's hard to know what happens if you try meds. Some people respond easily and to the first meds tried and some don't. Unfortunately it's hard to know who will do what. When it is difficult it can be pretty frustrating sometimes but it could be quite easy for you. It hasn't been easy at all for me and I haven't been miserable, just constantly fighting for something to work.

I love my pdoc. She used to work at my counseling agency 3 times per month. When I was first diagnosed I was in a clinical trial and when that was ending I couldn't find a pdoc so my therapist asked her to take me on and jump the waiting list. She did and that was 13 years ago.

I don't know for sure how you know you found the right person. I just knew I had someone I trusted and who listened to me and my opinions and worked with me instead of just telling me what to do. Feeling that trust was huge.

Good luck to you!