safetyshield- does depression make up a large part of your day, or do you ever every find others at first try to things that brings happiness- which is very kind of people. But I believe most people who have never explores the heart of depression/despair. will never be able to really help people find that key that help unlock the safe that holds all the material that you don't want to talk about - or to take it from the safe. Sometimes I'm very fearful that the amount of issues in the safe- is more than anyone can handle without judging me or no longer a friend or was looking for a way out anyway- and this gave it, jjames

johnjames if that was the case that you have had too experience an illness in order to treat it than there would be very few therapists. Or for that matter how can a doctor treat a patient if he has not experienced that illness. I believe that most people with an emotional illness will not at first seek out someone with the same illness but rather a friend or family member for that support that they need. It adds a little to therapy of helping people if the moderator experienced the illness that they are discussing or treating. I have found it helpful when I can empathize with a client but not always needed or asked for by either a client family or friend . It depends on what the person is looking for . As for me and depression I have been depressed but it is a normal mood. Luckily I have been able to deal with it without medication and though I have never needed medication does not mean I can not provide support to one in need

Yes, there are good counselor's that can help those in any-distress, But if I can use the military for example- If I want to talk to someone about my experiences and death- I;m only going to talk to a Vet- or Counselor who has been there and felt what we feel and the smells and bodies we deal with-- someone who has never been exposed to that cannot understand what a Vet, is going through. That's where I'm coming from- it's the same with 90% of Police Officers- unless you are on the street with them and riding along - and get out and see what they see- you lack allot of credibility. I spend over 1 year at 9/11 at ground zero as a police chaplain and also working with many troops- My goal was to be seen- so the officers could see us ( only two swore was inside the crime scene) when we found remains we all stood together and prays- I lead the prayers-but all the officers and firemen prays as a well- I would talk openly about what they were seeing and feeling- when we eat-we eat and sleep on the ground together- that's what makes the difference of ID- their feelings- hope this helps and makes sense. JJames

There many therapists in the military and police departments that see clients that have never been out of the field. You may want to talk only to someone that had your experience and that is your choose and right but there are once again many vets and police who have seen therapists without the criteria that you had to be there to help me. Sometimes a trained counselor that has had no field experience can approach counseling in a vision that a victim or victims can not see. Sure there are support groups for vets and police in need of support from peers that is different approach all together. But both have their strengths and uses when a person is in need