So, I have kind of an awkward situation. The professor I want to work with happens to be someone my therapist knows. I don't know if I should just avoid the topic during the interview or how it will come across if I talk about it. Also, any ideas how having been in therapy as an undergrad will come across to interviewers? I obviously have to tell the truth, but what if it comes up? Have any of you been asked about that?

I have heard it isnt wise to mention your prior therapy experience or previos mental health. i could be wronmg through.

I dont think you should mention it. Im not exactly sure of your purpose of mentioning. Its really none of his business. The only reason why I think it would be okay to mention if you currently having mental health concerns and these may or will arise while your a grad student which may affect your performance. So bottom line if you dont have no concerns that will affect your performance as a grad student at the school then why even mention it. If so then maybe you should so you know they will give you the support you need. Hope this helps.

So, I have kind of an awkward situation. The professor I want to work with happens to be someone my therapist knows. I don't know if I should just avoid the topic during the interview or how it will come across if I talk about it. Also, any ideas how having been in therapy as an undergrad will come across to interviewers? I obviously have to tell the truth, but what if it comes up? Have any of you been asked about that?

I agree. Its a bit an ironic situation since the field you are entering promotes getting help for mental health issues, but avoid giving them any information about yourself that could mark you as unstable or overly emotional (even if you aren't). I think its ok to talk about the benefits you think therapy gives but do not say it is from personal experience unless there is a reason like bereavment, which is more socially acceptable (again, ironic, I know). And I have never been asked that question in an interview, nor have I volunteered it. Goodluck!

Don't bring it up. If you are directly queried about your personal therapy experience, re-consider the program and potential supervisor.

I actually interviewed last weekend at a mostly psychodynamic program. My mentor was also trained with a psychodynamic orientation, and he told me to be prepared to talk about possible personal questions, including therapy, so I was expecting to be asked about it.

And I was. The prof asked me if I had ever been in therapy and what I thought about it. I had rehearsed what I would say with my mentor and that is what I said. My mentor told me not to talk about anything too serious or major reasons, as that would not help much, but one thing I did say was I wanted to experience therapy because I want to go into it and I thought it was important to experience it for myself. I also talked about it in a very light way, like I wanted to understand myself a bit better. If you are asked this, at least according to my mentor this is a good way to answer. He also asked me other personal questions about my life and my childhood, but nothing I felt uncomfortable sharing. I think depending on the orientation of the program you might expect this, specifically with a psychodynamic one.

I personally was not upset by being asked this because I was expecting it. I kinda think that since we are going into psychology we will be asked more personal questions than any other field, so that they can get a good handle on whether we would make good psychologists. Also I think if they see that you are uncomfortable sharing about yourself, this won't look good either. I hope this helps anyone thinking about this possibility.

I actually interviewed last weekend at a mostly psychodynamic program. My mentor was also trained with a psychodynamic orientation, and he told me to be prepared to talk about possible personal questions, including therapy, so I was expecting to be asked about it.


Precisely why I avoided psychodynamic programs. I believe that there should boundaries between students and faculty and I resent profs who cross that line (and many do in supervision in non-psychodynamic programs). But to each his own.

I would not mention your therapy and if your interviewer asks about whether you know the mutual contact (your therapist) I would tell him or her that you know them in a professional way. This is not a lie, and it would be against the APA code of ethics for your therapist to verify or deny that information. So, you have a win-win situation.