- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 931
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- 49
I have a question I would like to ask anonymously. I will be beginning a predoctoral psychology internship this summer with a government agency. I have been asked to disclose whether I have sought counseling/mental health treatment within the past 7 years (if yes, they want names of providers) and I do not feel comfortable allowing them free reign over my records. I was wondering if anyone has more information about the parameters of the information they may be requesting, or of the consequences of simply checking off "no"? I am not concerned about my diagnosis per se (anxiety, nothing serious), but do not want to provide access to my personal history. Is there a way for them to find out that I have in fact sought counseling? An employee in this agency advised me to just say no to the question but I would like to be sure.
I do not know the answer to this from a legal perspective. My personal perspective, which others might disagree with is that you should answer it honestly so that YOU are not always concerned about what might be learned in some type of investigation. However, I do appreciate that this is none of their business and that others would suggest a different approach.