My point wasn't about prestigious vs. non-prestigious universities -- I basically draw the line between what I see are for-profit type places vs. other schools. But, yeah I guess one could argue that in theory, good therapists can come from for-profit type places except I'd personally be very wary of going to one of them.

As for degrees, sure I can see how it may not play a big role depending on what the client is looking for.

Personally, I wouldn't look at those without a Ph.D because in the absence of really solid information about their competence (which I don't think I can assess even in the first few sessions), the Ph.D acts as a signaling device for me.

But, to each her / his own.