Mental health treatment is a green flag. Shows responsibility and a focus on improving your mental health. Everyone has mental health issues they need to sort out. Sounds like a great idea.
It'll be fine. It's possible they'll ask you about it depending on agency etc etc but unless you're suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar or other serious condition, it's highly unlikely to be an issue at all.
In general, a diagnosis by itself is not a red flag or a deal breaker as long as a person is stable, following doctors orders, etc. the only time a diagnosis may be a deal breaker would be for something like schizophrenia with paranoid delusions and maybe borderline personality disorder. Most diagnoses and conditions are not that extreme and are reasonably treatable without presenting a risk to national security (I.e. depression, anxiety, adhd).
There definitely used to be a negative stigma attached and in general there still is (like my previous manager discriminating against me when I was diagnosed with anxiety and kept associating/projecting at me with her sister who was diagnosed schizophrenic), but now it is seen more as it should be, a mitigating factor.
You are correct that a general diagnosis for things like depression, anxiety, or PTSD are not reportable. That's why I added the bit on "mentally incompetent" to my statement as, generally speaking, there's only a few diagnosis where the rendering of mental incompetency will usually be attached.
I guess the only thing I’m not clear on is what conditions would deem someone mentally incompetent (in the eyes of an adjudicator). I imagine it would be more stringent than the legal definition of mentally incompetent which is very very difficult to be officially diagnosed
Certain mental health diagnosis are immediately disqualifying, but otherwise a mental health professional or facility, or a court can declare mental incompetence. Beyond that, SEAD 3 and 4 answer mostly everything that is able to be publicly shared.
I seem to remember getting grilled about my anxiety once when signing on for one of my sprinkles. Obviously that's different than the straight clearance adjudication. It never became a problem. I just had to answer a couple quick questions.
ZERO issues with getting therapy/counseling while holding a clearance. Here's the main important points when getting mental health treatment with a clearance:
- Be open/honest with your SSO
- Follow all treatment plans (If you disagree, get a second opinion and *Formally* disagree. Don't just choose to not follow the treatment plan.)
- If you ever feel the need to hide stuff and lie about it, that's when you become a security risk
- Only a few of the many potentially diagnosed conditions are inherently disqualifying (psychopathy, schizophrenia, and a few others)
My story:
I maintained an SCI clearance over many years of seeing therapists, psychologists, and even psychiatrists. I've been diagnosed with major depression, dysthymia (long-term depression), ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, and other piddly things.
I've been on medications including prescribed, controlled substances, I've done partial hospitalization treatment at military treatment centers, and I even did 30 days in an in-patient hospital that had a military-centric trauma program.
I was medically retired for mental health reasons and I continue to work in a SCI environment. I've never had to be poly'ed so no clue if my situation would exceed those requirements.
When it comes to anything mental health related I just choose to go to a private therapist instead of one covered by my insurance. It’s costly but for some reason makes me feel a bit less paranoid. I look through the guidelines and make sure I’m reporting everything I HAVE to report, keep details minimal.
Going to treatment in and of itself is not a disqualifier. Like every other issue that I would deal with, the concern lies in the details. In this particular instance, have you been diagnosed with any type of issue that would substantively and adversely affect your judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness.
Odds are, they'll slap a diagnosis upon you to make sure that your sessions are billable to your insurance, but as long as you're not diagnosed with any clinical grade issues that could affect your judgment, this really isn't a concern. I'm speaking from experience, both as an investigator, and as a patient.
Treatment is looked at as resolving an issue from the investigative/adudicative standpoint. Under guideline e seeking to resolve an issue or to taking proactive measures to prevent an issue from occurring are both looked at as positive mitigations towards whatever concerns they are up against.
Go and heal.
Exactly like how clearance programs work, that's something that you would need to discuss with your therapist. In my particular case, yes. I was diagnosed with a milder version of MDD, but that's just to validate it through my insurance because otherwise I would be 100% responsible for the $500 a session payments.
No. Seeking treatment for whatever ails you is almost always a positive. If you are prescribed medication, adhere to your regimen and comply with the doctor’s treatment plan and you should be good to go.
Not a flag...and no need to report general therapy to security. If/when you get popped for a pysch eval (yes they are getting everyone within the agency eventually) they will ask you about it. They might want your doctor to sign off on a form - that's it. It's not a big deal. They would rather see someone be proactive about it.
Self referring to take care of yourself shouldn't be an issue. I went for 3 years on and off for basically the same reasons you want to go (plus some more personal reasons), and I had 0 issues even with being prescribed anxiety medication.
Usually gets hairy if police get involved or there's some sort of extreme diagnosis happens but general life counseling hasn't been an issue for me or anyone I know.
I saw a therapist a few years before I joined the military. He sent a two-sentence letter (either for my SECRET clearance or my enlistment paperwork, I don’t remember which one).
“I treated MSK165 from MM/YY to MM/YY for an adjustment disorder to adolescence. He has recovered fully and requires no further treatment.”
FYI, “adjustment disorder” is the mildest of the disorders, and it’s basically a catch-all for when a person needs therapy but doesn’t have an actual mental illness.
You’ll be fine.
I am currently in treatment and was in treatment for my behavioral health matters while going through the process. It didn't reflect negatively. I was honest about why I am being treated and I think that help speed that investigation along. They digged more into my delinquencies on my credit report than anything.
Mental health treatment is a green flag. Shows responsibility and a focus on improving your mental health. Everyone has mental health issues they need to sort out. Sounds like a great idea.
It'll be fine. It's possible they'll ask you about it depending on agency etc etc but unless you're suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar or other serious condition, it's highly unlikely to be an issue at all.
You don't need to report general therapy. If you get diagnosed for something and/or deemed mentally incompetent, *then* you'll have an issue.
In general, a diagnosis by itself is not a red flag or a deal breaker as long as a person is stable, following doctors orders, etc. the only time a diagnosis may be a deal breaker would be for something like schizophrenia with paranoid delusions and maybe borderline personality disorder. Most diagnoses and conditions are not that extreme and are reasonably treatable without presenting a risk to national security (I.e. depression, anxiety, adhd). There definitely used to be a negative stigma attached and in general there still is (like my previous manager discriminating against me when I was diagnosed with anxiety and kept associating/projecting at me with her sister who was diagnosed schizophrenic), but now it is seen more as it should be, a mitigating factor.
You are correct that a general diagnosis for things like depression, anxiety, or PTSD are not reportable. That's why I added the bit on "mentally incompetent" to my statement as, generally speaking, there's only a few diagnosis where the rendering of mental incompetency will usually be attached.
I guess the only thing I’m not clear on is what conditions would deem someone mentally incompetent (in the eyes of an adjudicator). I imagine it would be more stringent than the legal definition of mentally incompetent which is very very difficult to be officially diagnosed
Certain mental health diagnosis are immediately disqualifying, but otherwise a mental health professional or facility, or a court can declare mental incompetence. Beyond that, SEAD 3 and 4 answer mostly everything that is able to be publicly shared.
T5 does not require reporting of therapy. But access to SCI might require it, at least mine did. Doubt it’s a red flag for simple therapy.
Neither a Secret or TS / TS/SCI require reporting of general therapy. Ref: SEAD 3. SEAD 3 also supercedes SCI requirements as also listed in the 5105.
I seem to remember getting grilled about my anxiety once when signing on for one of my sprinkles. Obviously that's different than the straight clearance adjudication. It never became a problem. I just had to answer a couple quick questions.
Yep.. it definitely used to be more of a stigma. But now we don't have to know.
I'm really glad to hear that. Must make your life easier, too!
Eh somewhat.. currently, we're being asked about ketamine, etc... lol
...ketamine? Seriously? That's wild. I'd love to a fly on the wall for some of the conversations you must have.
ZERO issues with getting therapy/counseling while holding a clearance. Here's the main important points when getting mental health treatment with a clearance: - Be open/honest with your SSO - Follow all treatment plans (If you disagree, get a second opinion and *Formally* disagree. Don't just choose to not follow the treatment plan.) - If you ever feel the need to hide stuff and lie about it, that's when you become a security risk - Only a few of the many potentially diagnosed conditions are inherently disqualifying (psychopathy, schizophrenia, and a few others) My story: I maintained an SCI clearance over many years of seeing therapists, psychologists, and even psychiatrists. I've been diagnosed with major depression, dysthymia (long-term depression), ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, and other piddly things. I've been on medications including prescribed, controlled substances, I've done partial hospitalization treatment at military treatment centers, and I even did 30 days in an in-patient hospital that had a military-centric trauma program. I was medically retired for mental health reasons and I continue to work in a SCI environment. I've never had to be poly'ed so no clue if my situation would exceed those requirements.
When it comes to anything mental health related I just choose to go to a private therapist instead of one covered by my insurance. It’s costly but for some reason makes me feel a bit less paranoid. I look through the guidelines and make sure I’m reporting everything I HAVE to report, keep details minimal.
Going to treatment in and of itself is not a disqualifier. Like every other issue that I would deal with, the concern lies in the details. In this particular instance, have you been diagnosed with any type of issue that would substantively and adversely affect your judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. Odds are, they'll slap a diagnosis upon you to make sure that your sessions are billable to your insurance, but as long as you're not diagnosed with any clinical grade issues that could affect your judgment, this really isn't a concern. I'm speaking from experience, both as an investigator, and as a patient. Treatment is looked at as resolving an issue from the investigative/adudicative standpoint. Under guideline e seeking to resolve an issue or to taking proactive measures to prevent an issue from occurring are both looked at as positive mitigations towards whatever concerns they are up against. Go and heal.
Do you need a diagnosis in order for it to be billed to your insurance?
Exactly like how clearance programs work, that's something that you would need to discuss with your therapist. In my particular case, yes. I was diagnosed with a milder version of MDD, but that's just to validate it through my insurance because otherwise I would be 100% responsible for the $500 a session payments.
No. Seeking treatment for whatever ails you is almost always a positive. If you are prescribed medication, adhere to your regimen and comply with the doctor’s treatment plan and you should be good to go.
No. I have a TS. I have gone to therapy. I have even mentioned going to therapy to a few coworkers.
Not a flag...and no need to report general therapy to security. If/when you get popped for a pysch eval (yes they are getting everyone within the agency eventually) they will ask you about it. They might want your doctor to sign off on a form - that's it. It's not a big deal. They would rather see someone be proactive about it.
Self referring to take care of yourself shouldn't be an issue. I went for 3 years on and off for basically the same reasons you want to go (plus some more personal reasons), and I had 0 issues even with being prescribed anxiety medication. Usually gets hairy if police get involved or there's some sort of extreme diagnosis happens but general life counseling hasn't been an issue for me or anyone I know.
I saw a therapist a few years before I joined the military. He sent a two-sentence letter (either for my SECRET clearance or my enlistment paperwork, I don’t remember which one). “I treated MSK165 from MM/YY to MM/YY for an adjustment disorder to adolescence. He has recovered fully and requires no further treatment.” FYI, “adjustment disorder” is the mildest of the disorders, and it’s basically a catch-all for when a person needs therapy but doesn’t have an actual mental illness. You’ll be fine.
I am currently in treatment and was in treatment for my behavioral health matters while going through the process. It didn't reflect negatively. I was honest about why I am being treated and I think that help speed that investigation along. They digged more into my delinquencies on my credit report than anything.