17 Behavioral Health Clinician Interview Questions and Answers

As a behavioral health clinician, you provide vital services to patients struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Your goal is to help them overcome these challenges and live happier, healthier lives.

Before you can start working with patients, you’ll need to go through a job interview. And while you’re no stranger to interviews, behavioral health interviews may be different from other types of job interviews you’ve been on.

That’s because behavioral health interview questions will focus on your ability to deal with the challenges of the job. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate your clinical skills, as well as your ability to deal with difficult situations. You’ll also need to show that you have a deep understanding of the field of behavioral health.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve put together a list of sample behavioral health interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with patients who have a wide range of mental health issues?

This question can help interviewers understand your comfort level with working in a mental health clinic. You may answer this question by describing the types of patients you’ve worked with in the past and how comfortable you were treating them.

Example: “I have experience working with all kinds of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I feel that it’s important to treat every patient as an individual, so I always take time to learn about their unique situation before beginning treatment. This helps me create a personalized treatment plan for each patient.”

What are some of the most important skills for a behavioral health clinician to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “The most important skill for a behavioral health clinician is empathy. This is because I believe that being empathetic helps me connect with my patients on an emotional level. It also allows me to understand their needs better and provide them with more personalized care. Another important skill is communication. As a behavioral health clinician, I need to communicate effectively with both my patients and other members of the healthcare team. Being able to clearly explain what I am doing and why can help ensure that everyone understands their roles.”

How would you approach a patient who refuses to take their medication?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, you can describe how you would use your interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities to address the situation with the patient.

Example: “If a patient refuses to take their medication, I would first try to understand why they’re refusing treatment. If it’s because of side effects or other reasons that are within my control, I would work with them to find an alternative treatment plan. If there isn’t another option for treatment, I would explain the importance of taking their medication and encourage them to do so as much as possible. If they still refuse, I would document the incident in their file and notify the facility about the situation.”

What is your process for conducting a thorough assessment with a new patient?

This question can help the interviewer understand your assessment process and how you use it to develop a treatment plan. Your answer should include steps for conducting an initial assessment, as well as specific strategies you use to gather information from patients.

Example: “I start by asking my patient about their current mental health status and any symptoms they’re experiencing. I also ask them about their medical history, including any previous or current medications they take. After this, I conduct a physical exam to look for signs of illness that may be contributing to their mental health issues. Finally, I complete a psychological evaluation to assess their cognitive functioning, emotional state and overall mental health.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient manage their emotions in order to provide a coherent response.

This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to manage challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a patient remain calm so that you could continue the interview process without interruption.

Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe anxiety during our session. I asked them if they would like me to pause for a moment while they took some deep breaths or offered them a glass of water. They agreed to take a few moments to collect themselves before continuing with the rest of the appointment. This allowed us to finish the appointment without any further interruptions.”

If a patient was experiencing suicidal thoughts, what would be your primary course of action?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would respond to a potentially dangerous situation. Your answer should show that you have experience with this type of scenario and know what steps to take to ensure the safety of your patients.

Example: “If I noticed any signs of suicidal thoughts, I would immediately call for backup from my team members. Then, I would try to calm the patient down by speaking calmly and asking them if they are feeling okay. If they were still in danger, I would ask them to stay where they are until our security team could escort them to a safe room. After ensuring their safety, I would contact their family or emergency contacts to let them know what happened.”

What would you do if you felt like you were not able to provide adequate support to a patient?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges in your work. It is important to show that you are willing to ask for help when needed and that you value the opinions of others.

Example: “If I felt like I was not able to provide adequate support, I would first try to find out what I could do differently to improve my performance. If I still did not feel confident in my abilities, I would speak with a supervisor or other clinician about the situation. I would explain why I thought I was struggling and ask if they had any advice on how to improve.”

How well do you think you can get to know a patient over the course of multiple sessions?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with patients. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to build a rapport with clients or patients over time, even if it was just one session.

Example: “I think that getting to know my patients is an important part of providing them with quality care. I always try to make sure that they feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and feelings with me so that we can work together on developing treatment plans. In my last role, I had a patient who came in for multiple sessions before she felt ready to open up about her mental health concerns. After several weeks, she finally told me that she was struggling with anxiety.”

Do you have any experience working with patients who have substance abuse problems?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have experience working with patients who may be experiencing a mental health issue. Substance abuse is often linked to other mental health issues, so employers want to make sure that you are comfortable treating these types of patients. In your answer, try to explain how you would approach this type of patient and what steps you would take to ensure they receive the best care possible.

Example: “I do not have any direct experience working with substance abusers, but I am familiar with the signs and symptoms of addiction. If I encountered a patient who was exhibiting these behaviors, I would first assess their overall mental state and physical well-being. Then, I would refer them to an appropriate treatment facility or program.”

When conducting group therapy sessions, how do you make sure that everyone participates?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with a group of people and ensure that everyone feels comfortable speaking. Your answer should show your interpersonal skills, ability to lead a group and encourage participation from all members.

Example: “I start each session by asking everyone what they’re looking forward to in the day’s therapy. This helps me get to know each person better and makes them feel more comfortable talking about themselves. I also make sure to give everyone equal time to speak during our sessions so no one feels left out or ignored. When someone is sharing something personal, I try to be empathetic and supportive.”

We want to increase access to mental health services for people in the community. How would you market our clinic to people who may not be aware that we exist?

This question can help the interviewer understand your marketing skills and how you might promote their organization. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you know how to reach out to new audiences and encourage them to seek mental health services.

Example: “I would start by reaching out to local schools, community centers and other organizations that work with people who may not have access to mental health care. I would also create a social media presence for our clinic so we could connect with people online. In my last role, I helped develop a campaign where we partnered with local businesses to offer free counseling sessions to anyone who bought something at one of those locations.”

Describe your experience working with patients who have developmental disabilities.

This question can help interviewers understand your experience working with a specific type of patient. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the types of patients you’ve worked with and how you helped them.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with patients who have developmental disabilities. In my last role as a behavioral health clinician, I worked in an outpatient clinic that specialized in treating these patients. Many of our patients had autism or intellectual disabilities, and I learned how to work with each individual’s unique needs. For example, some patients needed more one-on-one care while others could handle group therapy sessions.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your soft skills such as communication, teamwork and empathy.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others overcome mental health issues. I have worked in behavioral health for five years now, and my experience has taught me how to connect with patients and help them find solutions to their problems. My interpersonal skills are excellent, and I know I can use these skills to build rapport with patients and colleagues alike.”

Which therapeutic approaches do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and comfort with different therapeutic approaches. You can answer this question by listing the approaches you have used in previous roles, as well as which ones you are most familiar with.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing techniques throughout my career. I also have some experience with dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, although I am not as experienced with those methods. However, I would be happy to learn more about any other approaches that may benefit patients.”

What do you think is the most important thing that behavioral health clinicians can do to support their patients?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your values and how you approach your work. Your answer should reflect your commitment to helping others, as well as your understanding of what it takes to be an effective behavioral health clinician.

Example: “I think that one of the most important things we can do for our patients is listen to them. When someone comes into our office, they are often in need of support or guidance. I make sure to give my full attention to each patient so that I can understand their unique situation and provide them with the best care possible.”

How often do you think clinicians should meet with their patients?

This question can help interviewers understand your approach to therapy and how you might schedule appointments with patients. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the importance of regular meetings and how they can benefit a patient’s treatment plan.

Example: “I think that regular meetings are important for helping patients feel supported during their treatment. I usually recommend at least one meeting per month, but if a patient is making significant progress or has questions about their care, I am happy to meet with them more often. Meeting regularly helps me get to know my patients better and learn what types of support they need most.”

There is a stigma associated with mental health issues. How do you make sure that your patients feel comfortable sharing information with you?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to create a safe environment for patients. In your answer, demonstrate that you understand the importance of confidentiality and privacy in mental health treatment.

Example: “I know how important it is to make sure my patients feel comfortable sharing information with me. I always explain to them at the beginning of our sessions that everything they say will remain confidential unless there is an immediate danger to themselves or others. I also encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings without worrying about being judged.”