age of therapist/is your therapist younger than you?

My T is 5 years older than I am. For me, this wasn't a criterion for choosing a T, but it turns out I think his age is a good thing. He has a lot of life experience that is really relevant to what I am going through. It is nice to have someone who understands like that. Also, because he is "older", he has more years of experience as a therapist, and I think that is a good thing. My previous therapist was about 10 years younger, and this was also OK. But someone who was in their 20s would be too young for me. I think I would like someone at least 35. That said, my T was recommended to me because he had very particular expertise and I needed a lot of help. I think the phrase used by the recommender was, "if anyone in the city can help you, it's this guy." So if it turned out he was a lot younger, but he had the specialized expertise, came highly recommended, and seemed good in person, I would see him.

As part of my current education, I have to serve as a mock client for 4 sessions for a 2nd year therapist-student. She is pretty young. I would never go to her for regular counseling because of her age and lack of experience. She just seems kind of "unformed" to me because of her age. This may add to her seeming lack of presence or whatever causes her to not really seem like she is there with me. I think if a T is younger, they may have to try harder to be strongly there with their clients.

Just yesterday my T was talking about age in his profession. He said unlike some professions, older age of a therapist is not seen as a negative, but even as a positive because it means more experience and wisdom. He said there isn't the same ageism for someone over 50 as there is in some other fields.

My T has mentioned his age quite a few times. Also, in my state, you can check out any health care provider at the state department of health website. You can find their name, license number, whether they have ever had their license suspended or any actions against them, and their birthday. So even if T never told me his age, I would know, because I always check out the license status of all my providers.

An old but good thread resurrected. Wonder what pinksoil is up to?

My T is fifty-ish, I'd guess. Never asked her, actually. And I'm not very good at guessing people's ages. Her husband is retired, though, for what it's worth. That makes her maybe fifteen or so years younger than I am. Which I don't think makes a difference at all. She's very experienced as a T, and that's very important to me. I'm not interested in a T still wet behind the ears. She has a very, very fast mind - a lot faster than mine, and that's great. Her immediate recall of every single thing we've ever said to each other, taking into account her numerous patients AND her teaching psychology at a local college, testifies, as far as I'm concerned, to a really, really good brain. Take care.

My therapist is 8-9 years older than me. When I was looking for someone, I didn't really consider age, but now that I've been with her for awhile, I like that she's a little older, but not old enough that I need to worry about her retiring any time soon

She's in her mid-40's.

not only shorts but short-shorts while working out on the eliptical.

oh bummer is all I can say

It felt important to me for my T to be old enough to have a decent amount of life experience. I think she once made a reference to being in her late fifties? She's really hard to put an age to, though - because she's really youthful, yet all full of wisdom at the same time. She also manages to be exuberant, yet really centred and calm. She's a paradox. I have no effing idea. Of course I suppose I could just ask... pahahaha!

ETA: Oh, and I'm 27!

I am 15 years older than my therapist. Kinda wish she were older, but I first went in for help with my teenagers and thought that we would all be there for family therapy (my kids were completely uncooperative) and her age would be better for them. If I had started knowing that it would just be me, I would have never chosen someone so young.

My Ts are approximately 15 years older than me. This is definatley a criteria for me. I think it would be too easy to dismissed anything a T around my age would say due to lack of experience/wisdom (I'm relatively young though).

My T is 47 and I'm 32. I like it that way. Don't think I would really benefit from a T younger than me..because I crave a bit of "maternal" connection from time to time.

Is this a male or female therapist?

This is an oldy moldy thread, but I sure did enjoy seeing pinksoil's name!!

She's never disclosed, and I've never asked because I don't think it's any of my business. I'm guessing mid-50s. Which makes her approx. 25 years older

I don't know exactly but I feel safe guessing that my T is in his mid 40s. I'm 26. I wasn't really looking at age, but more so a male specifically and how comfortable I felt and if I saw myself being able to open up to him and work with him.

Dang, this thread is approaching 4 years old.

My therapist is 51, and I'm 38. She doesn't look 51, AT ALL. She's like a southern Tinkerbell; adorable, energetic, petite, and sassy.

And now all I can think about is how much I would love love love to see my t in a tiny pair of shorts.

i'm 19.. both of my current Ts are late 20s i think.. most of my Ts have been that age.. except maybe 3 or 4 who i started seeing and then quit because it wasn't working.. they were about 50.

i defiantly find it easier to talk to Ts who close to my age.. i've found it with nurses too.

My T is in his early 60's, so he is 20 odd years older than me. I would feel very strange with someone younger, but I'd prefer they were at least 10 yrs older!! Experience matters!

My T is about 15 years younger than I am but I don't feel that much older because I act and look younger than my age. We also have kids who are not that much different in age so it makes it seem like our ages don't matter. I've had Ts older than I am or about the same age. It's the T, not their age that makes a difference.

My current T is older then me.....If I had to guess I would say approx 60 years old, which is why I choose her.....

Well I'm 30 and my therapist looks about my age or a few years younger. It's quite strange really. I could never do the "maternal" thing with her, that's for sure. She is quite intimidating actually. My last T was a fair bit older than me (20-25 years-ish) and although she gave me the boot in the end, I dunno... if I was forced to do the maternal thing it would have been easier with her. But I don't do the maternal thing so I guess its neither here nor there, hahaha

fck, my t's have been younger than i.

peep's say they should pay me. lol

Sanada, maybe a T who is older would be more helpful for you!

My T is 45 ish, I'm 37. Works well for us. I would have a hard time with a younger t, I think.

Just about the same age gap here. I'm 36, T is around 45. It works wonderfully for us. I've had T's that are much older than me (closer to my Mom's age) and it did not work well. I associated them too much with my mother, and couldn't trust them enough to open up. I'd probably be fine with a T at my own age, but too much younger than me and I fear they wouldn't have sufficient experience to meet my needs and help me.

My T is about twelve years older than me.

Physically, she's not old enough to be my mother, but maturity-wise, she is.

It's a good fit.

My T, male, is 40, I'm 58. Our relationship works well most of the time - I occasionally want to go maternal on him when he pisses me off - smack him on the back of the head and send him away someplace. He's very wise, we work well together and he's very gentle, caring and compassionate. Oh, and did I mention he looks like Josh Groban??!!