Yeah. This makes a difference. I am actually a T in training myself -- from a low SES background -- hooray for scholarships and loans. My peers are (mostly) from high SES backgrounds, and I notice their straight-up lack of knowledge, understanding, and ability to relate to people from blue-collar backgrounds and such. But -- we are being trained to be more sensitive to these issues, to chill out a little bit, to talk to people at their level, to understand how our histories create different stimulus functions for others, to talk openly about this with clients.

I think some therapists are able to learn this, and some are not. Some people are just less aware of their own behavior and its impact on others, whereas some T's are naturally astute at mirroring others in a way that puts them at ease. Also, some therapists, like me, are from a similar background, and so would relate better, despite their personal achievement of a "fancy education."

So, I guess I would say, it's going to be all about fit for your friend. There will be the right therapist for him, and there will be the wrong one. Hope he finds the right one the first time around.