Go schedule a personal consultation. Before you do that, you should research all the different common methods, that way none of them will seem that foreign to you. A good hairstylist would point you in the proper direction, and after objectively researching, you will be able to tell when a professional is full of ish, or if they have a clue what they are talking about. You'll be paying for the stylist's execution of proper technique, so make sure you find a good one...not just one that knows how to talk a good game.
Quite a few years back, I wish I had taken that advice up above. I had something (roadkill) installed that really ravaged my hair, and it's taken me nearly this long to grow it back out to where I was trying to get it in the first place with extensions.
And while you're at it, take a look at HairBoutique.com... this place has a ton of information.