All therapists are works in progress and learning their craft as they go. They make mistakes all throughout, but the first clients are their "best teachers."

I've had enough pain in my life, so I don't need to be the person who expands a therapist's skills. I can just imagine a newish therapist looking at my life story and thinking, "Oh, PJ has this abuse issue and that trauma issue, this will be great for me to grow my skills treating those issues."

Um, no thanks!

The therapist I have now has 30 years of experience, which is nearly as long as I've been alive. That may be a bit extreme for you, but I think you're asking the right questions.