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.

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.