One of mine has 35 years of experience, the other 37. My initial criterion for hiring No. 1 was that she have some experience in a certain area. This meant she wasn't going to be a newbie but I wasn't looking for age and experience at that time. No. 2 was referred by No. 1, so I didn't consider experience there either.

Now that I know more about therapy, I'd say I'd need someone with at least 15 years of experience and around my age (a few years younger would be OK, but it has to be the same generation - I don't want to be explaining 80's life to someone who stares at me blankly). Also female.