I understand- I weeded several,out from the phone interview. Others made it through the phone interview and I met them in person to weed them out. I also do not choose males therapists. It is for you, be as choosy as you like is my opinion. It does limit you in some ways of course, but if it works for you, then good. I am the opposite about degrees, I have a couple of advanced degrees and don't think they are that big of a deal to get or have so I put very little faith in them. Plus the most batshit crazy one of them I ever saw had a phd. Time in practice can be very important, I believe.