I am 51 and in graduate school for my masters in counseling after working in Social Service on and off for 20 years. I have worked with a therapist on and off for years who is probably 7-8 years older than me. I currently have a counselor for free at the school because I am going through the Counseling Program. She is 27 years old and at first I wondered if she would be to young to work with me, but I was happy to discover age was not a factor in her being a good counselor. She is smart, empathic and throws out great reflections and questions. She’s great actually. So I do not think it is necessary to be older, to be a good counselor. I say go for it!