Only one provider I have used uses email as a contact option.   And apparently they aren't good enough as a reference.   Who can I get in with who would be accepted?  I need to visit someone today before I head out of town so I have more options next time I'm down in the cities.

Almost all independent providers I’ve seen in this area use email as a contact option. And you may find they are more willing to give a reference for good clients than an agency.

It’s opposite for me. Every email provider I reached out to has had a scheduler and worked for an agency. The only independent providers I have seen were by phone and they had other options besides references for screening. I’ve only seen a one or two who said they don’t want to be used as a reference. I’ve had good experiences with most of the independents that were by phone and didn’t feel the need to use them to gain a reference. I’ve probably repeated with each one I’ve seen unless they were traveling through.

Seems like screening has gotten tighter lately.
I do accept provider references when they are well established online(website/ads/twitter).  

Good luck.

xoxo

Yes it must be difficult for new people

Based on your reviews, it appears to be small. And at least one indie provider you reviewed requires a contact form, i.e. email, which contradicts what you said.  

Also, I think rate class may enter into it. I know that many massage-only providers will accept or even prefer initial contacts by text or phone. I’ve almost always seen FS providers for the past several years.