Life is viewed with goggles. Our perspective of life and issues are determined by our life experiences. Most often than not people want somebody who has a similar background as them because they feel most comfortable talking to someone that views life similar as they do.

where I work for instance we have a lot of families that are new immigrants. They almost always want to talk with someone that is from the same or similar 'home country' as them. They are talking about issues with a perspective that a 9th generation, white american that was raised in a affluent suburban neighborhood and went to all private school would simply NEVER understand no matter how many books he might have read.

That is the extreme end.

More often than not it is smaller things that they are looking for to connect. A middle-aged mother of 4 sees the world differently than a 25 year old straight out of school and still living at home while she pays off student loans. The mother might ask personal questions such as, "do you have children" as a way to see how much she can relate to her therapist.

My sister is a veteran and adamantly REFUSES to see anyone that have not served. This is common among veterans.

As for me if my therapist didn't open up to me I probably would not see him. He answers all my questions--including some very personal ones such as if he experienced what i did--and he was very honest and authentic and respectful every single time that I answered.

As for my clients. I answer every single questions honestly. I am always so grateful when they ask me questions about myself because I know how difficult that it is especially since so many been shun out by former therapists that did not want to discuss.