Guideline I – Psychological Conditions

Yes, You Can Get (or Keep) a Clearance with a Mental Health History—If You Handle It Correctly

Mental health challenges are nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, getting help is a sign of strength—not a security risk. But when it comes to security clearances, the government takes a cautious approach to mental health records, treatment, and diagnoses.

Under Guideline I – Psychological Conditions, the government assesses whether any diagnosed condition, past treatment, or reported behavior could impair your judgment, reliability, or stability.

At National Security Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of service members, government employees, and contractors overcome clearance concerns tied to PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more. We don’t just protect your clearance—we help you tell your story with power, precision, and dignity.

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What Is Guideline I?

Guideline I – Psychological Conditions focuses on whether a mental health condition—or the perception of one—may:

• Impair your judgment or ability to protect classified information

• Affect your impulse control, reliability, or stability

• Present a risk of inappropriate behavior, especially under stress

• Make you vulnerable to coercion, manipulation, or blackmail

This guideline does not automatically disqualify people with mental health conditions. In fact, seeking treatment can often be seen as a mitigating factor, not a red flag.

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Real-World Hypotheticals – Could This Be You?

• Scenario 1: A defense contractor receives therapy for anxiety and panic attacks but doesn’t disclose it during the SF-86 medical section.

• Scenario 2: A federal applicant has a PTSD diagnosis from a combat deployment but is fully stable and employed.

• Scenario 3: A service member was hospitalized during a crisis but has no recurring symptoms.

• Scenario 4: A clearance holder takes medication for ADHD and sees a psychologist every few months for performance coaching.

• Scenario 5: A cyber analyst admits to a suicide attempt from years ago during their polygraph, triggering a request for mental health records.

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What the Government Looks For

Adjudicators don’t make clearance decisions based solely on diagnoses—they look at the impact of the condition on your ability to perform and safeguard classified work.

They consider:

• Whether the condition is currently under control

• Any history of hospitalization, self-harm, or violence

• Compliance with treatment and prescribed medication

• Opinions from licensed mental health professionals

• The presence or absence of co-occurring issues (e.g., substance abuse, criminal conduct)

• Whether you’ve shown stability over time

The government wants to know: Are you managing your condition, and can we trust you in a high-stakes environment?

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Mitigating Factors That Can Save Your Clearance

✅ The condition is under control with treatment or has resolved
✅ You’ve shown a stable pattern of behavior and good judgment
✅ You’ve been compliant with medication and therapy
✅ Your condition does not impact job performance
✅ A qualified mental health provider affirms that you are fit for duty
✅ You voluntarily disclosed the condition and sought help
✅ There’s no evidence of unreliability, violence, or misconduct

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How National Security Law Firm Can Help

Guideline I cases require a delicate balance of legal strategy and mental health literacy. We understand the fears clients have—fear of being labeled, misunderstood, or denied clearance because they sought help.

We help clients:

✅ Respond to SORs and LOIs with sensitivity and strength
✅ Coordinate evaluations with licensed psychologists or psychiatrists
✅ Help you obtain a clear, supportive letter from a treating provider
✅ Draft narratives and declarations that tell your story effectively
✅ Coach you through SF-86 disclosures and how to handle polygraphs or interviews
✅ Prepare for DOHA hearings with expert testimony and medical records

You are not your diagnosis—and with our help, neither is your clearance file.

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Flat Fee Security Clearance Pricing

• SF-86 Review: $950

• LOI Response: $3,500

• SOR Response: $5,000 (includes $3,000 LOI credit)

• DOHA Hearing: $7,500 (includes travel)

💳 Affordable monthly payment plans available
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FAQ – Mental Health and Security Clearances

Is a mental health diagnosis disqualifying?
No. The government focuses on risk, not labels. If your condition is well-managed and doesn’t impair your performance, your clearance can still be granted or maintained.

Should I disclose past counseling or treatment?
Yes—if the SF-86 asks for it. Honesty is critical. With our guidance, disclosure can be done in a way that builds your case, not harms it.

What if I was hospitalized during a crisis?
You will likely need to provide records and a supporting letter from a licensed provider. We can help coordinate that process and frame it appropriately.

Can I get a clearance with PTSD or anxiety?
Yes. Many clearance holders live with and successfully manage conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The key is documentation, stability, and expert support.

Can therapy or medication actually help my case?
Yes. Seeking help shows maturity, responsibility, and self-awareness—exactly the traits adjudicators want to see.

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🔍 Want the Full Playbook?

Don’t leave your clearance to chance. Click here to visit our Security Clearance Strategy Center — your go-to resource for:

• Proven strategies to win your case
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• Answers to “What if I already got denied?”

👉 You’ve got questions. We’ve got insider answers.

🛡️ Why Choose NSLF?

At National Security Law Firm, we’re not your average clearance attorneys—we’re the elite unit for national security representation:

• Every case is reviewed by our internal attorney board
• Staffed by former DOHA attorneys, Security Threat Assessment experts, and military lawyers
• Located in Washington, D.C. — where clearance decisions are made
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• Founded by and staffed with disabled veterans
• One of the fastest-growing national security law firms in the U.S.

💵 Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing

No surprise bills. No hourly rates. Just mission-focused pricing.

• SF-86 Review: $950 flat fee
• Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) Response: $3,500 flat fee
  This covers everything you need to respond and start defending your clearance.
• Statement of Reasons (SOR): $5,000 flat fee
  Already paid for your LOI response? You’ll get a $3,000 credit applied here.
• Hearing Representation: $7,500 flat fee (includes all travel)
  One fee covers it all—prep, travel, hearing. No hidden costs.

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• Keep your cash flow. Get the legal help now.

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