[MINIME]

My therapists are a little younger then me. Only by a couple of years. It seemed weird at first. I guess I just thought that the older they were the more life experience they had. One is 29 the same age as my sister I raised since she was 15. I was 19 but still. They are great and the age thing isnt really a big deal. I like to say "well people your age" stuff like that. Its funny and adds to the "relationship". What about you guys? Is there an age thing?

[Defective]

Like you i preferred older therapists thinking they would have the experience and at some point dealt with someone like me. And like you i now have a therapist who is around my age(im bad at judging age, maybe a little younger or a little older) and i like it better i think. Or at the very least it has as many upsides as having a more experienced therapist.

[PsyChris]

Often many "young" or new therapists will have an older more experienced supervising therapist to consult with. The older therapist has the benefit of experience while the younger therapist is newly trained and may be open to more ideas.

[MINIME]

Both of my therapists are great. They have helped alot. I had an older therapists and she wasnt that great anyway. I wouldnt change them for anything. The age thing was just sorta weird.

[(JD)]

Not much you can do about it, in reality. All Ts begin young, whether just in age or both in age and experience. When you leave with that PhD in your hands you trust the establishment that you are prepared for the tasks at hand. NOT.
You have confidence that you can handle what is presented, but to be truthful, you aren't ready for it all. Refer, refer, refer... used to be the punchline of many psychologist jokes (maybe still is, IDK.)

We all had to begin somewhere. I shudder to think of those who are calling themselves Ts, counselors, advisors, even maybe coaches, who are not fully trained, because even with full training, you still need others in your life who you can go to for assistance. If someone isn't fully trained, certified, licensed whatever in some way, they are that much shorter of good help.

However, even a young therapist, with a good mentor and support system herself, will be able to help those who need her counsel. The majority of patients need a sounding board and not much else.

Time-in-grade, as we call it in the military, has a lot going for it though. You just can't fight or beat well learned experience! But without adequate learning, even age won't help them get a needy patient through much.

peace.