RTerroni,
I've read your posts for a while now and I've always enjoyed them. I guess that's because I can relate to what you're talking about in regard to wanting a therapist who GETS what I'm facing in life, not someone who is just saying they "understand". My preference is for a therapist who is NOT in their 20's, 30's or 40's. I want to work with someone who understands on a very personal level the issues I'm dealing with: retirement, aging, declining health and fear of dying before I accomplish all that I want to. (I just turned 60) I don't want to sit in an office looking across the coffee table at an unlined face, youthful energy and hair that isn't white or grey.

That said, I have also always gone to a female therapist, feeling that I could only talk on a deep, intimate level with someone of my own gender. After moving and leaving my therapist of three years behind, I was faced with a familiar creeping depression following a major health issue . . .not to mention the sudden pain of being retired and not being prepared for all the emotional baggage that brings. I tried a few female therapists but didn't feel the connection. Just for the heck of it, I booked a consultation appt. with a male therapist. Wow! Talk about an eye opening experience for this old lady I like this guy and find our connection to be solid and enlightening. I wish I'd tried this experiment sooner. Give it a try, you might be surprised . . . and if it doesn't work you've lost nothing!
Good luck!