I don't see why your resistant to seeing a licensed counselor, especially when there is such a shortage. There is a mutual respect among psychologists and masters level therapists and have never heard someone who's actually in the field make any kind of judgement about which is "better". Usually that comes from people unfamiliar with the field who are lured by the title. I would be careful of that because although you may find someone good, you might miss out on someone better. Relying too heavily on a title is akin to preferring an Ivy League T over one from a state university. It looks nice on paper and is a status symbol, but has little to do with actual quality.