I agree with sheltiemom. My first T was not. Even though she had a PhD she was mainly a sounding board to talk with who gave me some advise.

My current T is an LPCC and although I have never thought of him as an authority figure I guess he is. He is not the type to allow me to just talk about my week. He is all about progress. If I SH I have to spend the next 3 sessions doing a chain analysis. If I am SUI there are other requirements. He is very caring and wants the best for me but is all business and has his own expectations from me. Although I think of him as a hired professional, I can only continue to see him if I follow the rules. So I guess in that way he is an authority figure.