I think that experience counts for a lot, probably is more important than degree. Also, the more time anyone has spent in the field, the more they have likely continued to study (even if only through CEU's). I think that self-examination may not be so much a function of education/training but more a personal choice some make. I suspect some T's do their self examination before they even enter school and others do it along the way.

I would agree, Anne, that experience is crucial, especially depth and diversity of experience, rather than simply years of experience. But while some at the Masters level do pursue self-examination, many do not. A value of the PhD is that it's a requirement, especially rigorous among those who pursue a psychoanalytic philosophy, often continued through the supervision of the post doc internship.

While the dissertation is rarely valuable in itself post-degree in most fields, the years needed to complete it are often coupled with working in a supervised practice setting; so by the time therapists hang out the shingle, they've also already had a few years of experience.