does anyone have advice in finding a rational therapist?

A few good answers for you wrote:

2. The person who discounted EMDR could not be any more incorrect. EMDR is misunderstood by simpletons but is quite useful for trauma patients.

The OP has not told us that he is a trauma patient, and he says he wants a "rational" therapist.

Maybe EMDR works (maybe crystal healing works), but in my experience, EMDR practitioners are very touchy-feely and New-Agey. They are not the same people who can turn on the analytics or who get MDs or PhDs from respectable schools.

Thank you for this! I couldn't believe what I was reading up until you posted this. I will give another vote of confidence for EMDR. It is a great technique for help in processing trauma.

I also agree that there are some irrational therapists out there. Living in the desert southwest, there are plenty of people who believe that placing crystals on your forehead and sitting in a magical vortex are the way to go (hello Sedona Arizona).

There are plenty of licensed clinical social workers (LCSW, LCSW-C) who provide a great service and are very good at their job, they are not someone who "in most states only needs one class and they can hang out a shingle and call themselves a therapist." Even MSW's require internships and/or practicums prior to graduating. Even then to provide therapy you need a licensed social worker or licensed psychologist to supervise and sign off on your notes and treatment plans or they won't get reimbursed from insurance.

Ask a prospective therapist about their credentials, where they went to school, if they have any specific areas of focus, etc. Good luck!