I'm new to the site, and I've looked over some of the threads on here. I'm glad you all are here, as I can use some advice.
On March 1, 2010 I applied for a lifetime LTC. Got printed and finished the application on March 31. I marked "yes" to the box marked "Have you ever been treated for psychiatric health care or an emotional or mental illness." After a few weeks, I received a letter requesting a statement from my treating psychologist.
I received six to eight sessions of psychotherapy in 1991 after graduating from college. I wrote a letter describing how I can some issues with post-college life and some depressed mood, and how I made a full recovery in 1991 and was not aware of any diagnosis made. I attached a letter from the clinic that stated that the treating psychologist had died and that records are not available (Ohio state law requires mental health records be preserved for seven years). It had been 19 years since treatment ended.
I heard nothing for weeks. I call on August 6 to check on the status and am told to call back in two weeks, which I did. I am told that the delay is likely due to the mental health question. Then I receive a letter from the Indiana State Police dated August 25 that says that my application is denied because:
start quote
"We are in posession of information that you are not a proper person to be licensed. As defined by IC 35-47-1-7, a proper person is one who: (6) "does not have documented evidence which would give rise to a reasonable belief that the personal has a propensity for violent or emotionally unstable conduct."
end quote
The kicker to this for me is that I am a licensed psychologist in Indiana, and have been since 2001 (I told them I was a state licensed psychologist in my letter). So I am not fit to carry a handgun, but I am fit to evaluate fitness for duty for Federal and State agencies (and I do, for one federal agency). Hmm.
So enough history. I am looking for recommendations for how to begin my appeal. I am willing to get an attorney involved if that seems to be the best course of action. I have the resources to pay for it, but I would want one that is solid and competent. Let me know what you think.
-ski-
On March 1, 2010 I applied for a lifetime LTC. Got printed and finished the application on March 31. I marked "yes" to the box marked "Have you ever been treated for psychiatric health care or an emotional or mental illness." After a few weeks, I received a letter requesting a statement from my treating psychologist.
I received six to eight sessions of psychotherapy in 1991 after graduating from college. I wrote a letter describing how I can some issues with post-college life and some depressed mood, and how I made a full recovery in 1991 and was not aware of any diagnosis made. I attached a letter from the clinic that stated that the treating psychologist had died and that records are not available (Ohio state law requires mental health records be preserved for seven years). It had been 19 years since treatment ended.
I heard nothing for weeks. I call on August 6 to check on the status and am told to call back in two weeks, which I did. I am told that the delay is likely due to the mental health question. Then I receive a letter from the Indiana State Police dated August 25 that says that my application is denied because:
start quote
"We are in posession of information that you are not a proper person to be licensed. As defined by IC 35-47-1-7, a proper person is one who: (6) "does not have documented evidence which would give rise to a reasonable belief that the personal has a propensity for violent or emotionally unstable conduct."
end quote
The kicker to this for me is that I am a licensed psychologist in Indiana, and have been since 2001 (I told them I was a state licensed psychologist in my letter). So I am not fit to carry a handgun, but I am fit to evaluate fitness for duty for Federal and State agencies (and I do, for one federal agency). Hmm.
So enough history. I am looking for recommendations for how to begin my appeal. I am willing to get an attorney involved if that seems to be the best course of action. I have the resources to pay for it, but I would want one that is solid and competent. Let me know what you think.
-ski-