I've realized something about myself. I prefer male therapists. I also prefer PhD's.

My preference for men is not erotic or sexual. Not at all. My best guess is that I am more reassured by the thought of a man caring for me than a woman. It's more protective and paternal... stronger, like a thick blanket, if that makes any sense. The only reason I can think of for this is that my dad left the family about 10 years ago when I was sixteen... so maybe I'm craving a fatherly figure. I dunno.

As per the degree, I have only ever worked with PhD's in the past, and my landlord is actually a PhD psychologist, who does not have the greatest trust in social workers... So, I would prefer to see a PhD.

However, my psychiatrist just referred me to a female LCSW, who I met this afternoon. She seems nice enough, but given what I've just told you, she isn't who I would have picked, and I have some reservations about it.

What should I do? I'm tempted to bring it up with the psychiatrist who gave me the referral, but at the same time, I'm embarrassed about being so picky, especially over something like gender. Should I bring it up because it does matter to me and I don't want any extra barriers in the therapeutic relationship, or do I need to swallow my pride, open my mind, and take this as a learning experience?

This is silly... and yet, it really isn't.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue? What did you do?