I highly doubt my T has been through what I have been through. However, I do know that she had a counselor help her through some issues, and that is why she wanted to become a counselor, to help others like she was helped.

As far as degrees are concerned, my first T had a PHD from a very good school. I did not like her. My current T has a MA, and she is far better than my first T. It is funny...I sought out my first T because she had a PHD, but now, I would never avoid a T just because she only has a MA. In fact, if for some reason I ever have to go to another T, I'd probably seek out an experienced MA T over a PHD just because of my experiences.