You Got Help—But Will It Hurt Your Clearance?

You went to therapy. Maybe it was for anxiety, marriage struggles, grief, or even PTSD after military service. You did the responsible thing and got help. Now you’re filling out the SF-86 and wondering if that decision to seek counseling is going to come back to haunt you.

Should you disclose it? Will they view you as unstable or unfit for a clearance? Could answering honestly actually hurt your career?

These are incredibly common and valid concerns. At National Security Law Firm, we talk to clients every day who are stuck at this exact crossroads—and we help them move forward with clarity, confidence, and a smart legal strategy.

This post will walk you through when you may need to disclose counseling or therapy on the SF-86, when it may not be required, what the government actually cares about, and how to protect both your privacy and your clearance.

Understanding Mental Health Disclosures on the SF-86

Section 21 of the SF-86 focuses on Psychological and Emotional Health. The section asks questions designed to evaluate whether an applicant’s mental health history raises concerns related to judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness.

It’s important to understand that simply receiving mental health treatment does not automatically raise a red flag. In fact, federal policy generally views seeking help as a positive sign of maturity and self-awareness—not a liability.

According to federal guidance, applicants may be required to disclose mental health treatment under certain circumstances, such as:

  • If the treatment was court-ordered or mandated by a supervisor or commander
  • If the treatment was related to a condition that may substantially impact judgment or reliability
  • If you were hospitalized for psychological reasons

However, counseling for common life stressors—such as grief, marital difficulties, or stress from combat deployment—often does not require disclosure. Federal agencies have recognized the need to reduce stigma around mental health and to clarify that counseling alone is not disqualifying.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to speak with an experienced clearance attorney. We can help determine what is or is not required based on the specifics of your case and the current federal standards.

Examples of When You May Need to Disclose

  • You were hospitalized for mental health treatment
  • A court or administrative body found you mentally incompetent
  • You were ordered to attend therapy by a judge or employer
  • You’ve been diagnosed with a condition that could substantially affect your reliability or ability to safeguard classified information

Examples of When You May Not Need to Disclose

  • You sought voluntary counseling for grief after a loss
  • You went to marriage counseling with your spouse
  • You received short-term therapy following military deployment
  • You visited a therapist for career or adjustment stress without a formal diagnosis

These examples are general and may not apply to every case. The best way to protect yourself is to get legal advice tailored to your background.

Will My Supervisor Find Out If I Disclose Treatment?

No. Investigators must follow strict confidentiality protocols. Information disclosed during the clearance process is shared only with authorized personnel involved in your background investigation and adjudication. It is not released to your supervisor, manager, or coworkers. Unauthorized disclosure is prohibited under federal privacy laws.

Will My Therapist Be Contacted?

If you answer “yes” to any of the mental health questions in Section 21, your treatment provider may be contacted. Investigators may request an opinion from a licensed medical professional to determine whether a condition could impact your ability to hold a clearance. This is standard procedure and helps the adjudicator assess your case fairly using a “whole-person” approach.

What About Counseling for Family Issues or Routine Stress?

Federal guidance suggests that counseling received for routine life stressors—such as adjusting to a new job, dealing with relationship issues, or processing trauma from military service—typically does not need to be reported unless it involves specific red flags such as violence, hospitalization, or court involvement.

Still, if there is any doubt, we recommend reviewing your situation with an experienced attorney.

Pricing: Get Peace of Mind Without Breaking the Bank

We offer flat-fee pricing so there are no surprises:

  • SF-86 Review: $950
  • LOI (Letter of Interrogatory) Response: $3,500
  • SOR (Statement of Reasons) Response: $5,000 (includes $3,000 LOI credit)
  • Clearance Hearing: $7,500 (includes travel)

We also offer legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm, so you can break up payments over 3, 6, 12, or even 24 months. Explore payment plans here.

Why Choose NSLF?

There are a lot of lawyers out there—but none like us.

  • We’re the trusted, go-to firm for clearance cases nationwide
  • We’re based in Washington, D.C., the hub of federal law and adjudications
  • Our team includes former DOHA judges, military officers, prosecutors, and government attorneys
  • We have a 4.9-star Google rating from clients across the country Read reviews
  • We were founded by disabled veterans and serve with mission-first dedication
  • We bring together multiple attorneys weekly through our Attorney Review Board for complex cases
  • Our lawyers hold active clearances themselves
  • We handle related practice areas like federal employment law and FOIA that often intersect with clearance issues
  • We use our network of medical and psychological experts when needed

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

Additional Resources

To explore more about what to disclose (and not disclose) on the SF-86, visit our main Security Clearance page. There you’ll find must-read content on:

  • The biggest SF-86 mistakes people make
  • Winning strategies for defending your clearance
  • Understanding the 13 Adjudicative Guidelines
  • How to navigate LOIs, SORs, and DOHA hearings

You Deserve a Future That’s Not Haunted by the Past

Your decision to seek help was a sign of strength, not weakness. But now it’s time to make sure that strength doesn’t become a stumbling block. If you’re unsure about what to disclose, the time to get answers is now.

We’ll tell you exactly what to do next. The quicker you act, the better your chances of success. Let us help you protect your clearance, your career, and your peace of mind.

No waiting. No receptionist. Just book your free consultation online.

You can sleep better tonight knowing this is finally being taken care of. Let’s move forward—together.