17 Behavioral Health Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

Behavioral health consultants work with individuals, families, and groups to assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They may also provide support and guidance to people who are coping with stress, life changes, or mental illness.

If you’re looking for a job in behavioral health consulting, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge. You’ll also be asked about your understanding of behavioral health and the role of a behavioral health consultant.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the most up-to-date treatment methods for the mental health issues you may encounter in your work?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the latest developments in mental health treatment. They want to know that you can apply the most effective methods for helping clients and ensuring their safety. In your answer, try to explain how you stay up-to-date on new developments in the field. You might also mention any continuing education courses or certifications you have completed.

Example: “I am passionate about my work as a behavioral health consultant because I believe it is important to help people live healthy lives. To do this, I think it’s essential to keep up with the latest developments in the field. For example, I recently took an online course on dialectical behavior therapy. This helped me learn more about how to use cognitive behavioral techniques to treat anxiety disorders.”

What are some of the most important skills you feel a behavioral health consultant should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities they’re looking for in a behavioral health consultant. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the specific skills listed on your resume or cover letter that show you have these important skills.

Example: “I feel that one of the most important skills a behavioral health consultant should have is empathy. This skill helps me understand my clients’ feelings and needs so I can provide them with the best care possible. Another important skill is communication. In this role, I would need to communicate effectively with both patients and their families as well as other healthcare professionals. Finally, I think problem-solving skills are essential because I may encounter situations where I need to find solutions to problems.”

How would you approach a client who is resistant to your suggestions or refuses to follow your treatment plan?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to manage challenging situations. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving and conflict resolution skills by describing a specific situation in which you helped a client overcome their resistance or reluctance.

Example: “In my experience as a behavioral health consultant, I’ve encountered clients who are resistant to treatment plans because they don’t want to take medication or attend therapy sessions. When this happens, I first ask them why they’re hesitant to follow the plan. Sometimes it’s just that they’re unsure of how the treatment will work, so I explain the process in more detail. Other times, they have concerns about side effects or other issues with the plan. In these cases, I offer alternative solutions or refer them to someone else who might be able to better meet their needs.”

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

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your assessment process and how it relates to the client’s needs. Use examples from past experiences to describe your approach to conducting an initial assessment, including what steps you take and how you use information from the assessment to develop a plan for helping clients.

Example: “I start by meeting with the client in person or on the phone to discuss their goals and challenges. I also review any documentation they have regarding their mental health history. After our initial discussion, I complete my own research into the client’s background and medical records to ensure that I understand all of the factors contributing to their current situation. From there, I create a personalized treatment plan based on the client’s unique needs.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a client manage their expectations when it came to treatment outcomes.

When working with clients, it’s important to be honest about the treatment process and outcomes. This question is asking you to demonstrate your ability to help patients understand their limitations while also encouraging them to work hard toward their goals.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was struggling with anxiety. She wanted to overcome her symptoms quickly so she could return to work. I explained that overcoming anxiety can take time and practice. However, I encouraged her to set small goals for herself each week and celebrate when she achieved those milestones. By doing this, she felt more motivated to continue her treatment.”

If a client was struggling with substance abuse, what types of treatment would you recommend?

Substance abuse is a common issue for many people, and employers want to make sure you have the knowledge necessary to help clients who are struggling with addiction. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to assess the client’s situation and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Example: “I would first ask them about their substance of choice and how often they use it. Then I would recommend that they seek inpatient or outpatient treatment depending on the severity of their addiction. If they’re willing to go through rehab, I would refer them to a facility that specializes in treating their particular drug of choice.”

What would you do if a client was making significant progress but then stopped attending appointments?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you would use your problem-solving skills and creativity to find ways to encourage the client to return to therapy or counseling sessions.

Example: “If a client was making progress but then stopped attending appointments, I would first ask them why they weren’t coming in for their scheduled time with me. If it’s something within my control, such as rescheduling an appointment, I would do so. However, if there is no way to change the appointment, I would call the client to see if we could talk about what happened and work on finding solutions together.”

How well do you handle stress while working with clients who have challenging personalities or who are going through difficult circumstances?

Working with clients who are going through a difficult time can be stressful. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience needed to work in behavioral health. When answering, explain how you manage stress while working with challenging personalities or circumstances. Show that you can remain calm and focused on helping your client.

Example: “I find that I am able to handle stress well when working with challenging personalities or difficult circumstances because of my ability to stay calm and focused. In my previous role as a behavioral health consultant, I worked with many different types of people. Some were very outgoing and others were more reserved. I learned early on that it is important to treat everyone equally and with respect. This helped me learn how to adapt to each person’s personality.”

Do you have experience working with clients who speak a different language than you?

If the facility you’re interviewing for has a large population of clients who speak a different language than you, employers may ask this question to make sure you can communicate with them effectively. In your answer, try to explain how you would go about overcoming any challenges that come from working with people who don’t speak English fluently.

Example: “I have worked with several bilingual patients in my previous role as a behavioral health consultant. I always made sure to bring an interpreter with me when meeting with these patients so they could understand everything I was saying and I could get their feedback on treatment plans. It’s important to me that all patients feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and feelings with me.”

When working with a family, do you prefer to meet with everyone at once or would you rather meet with each family member individually?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with clients and their families. It can also show them your interpersonal skills, as you may need to work with each family member individually to gain their trust and ensure they’re comfortable talking about personal issues in front of others.

Example: “I prefer meeting with each family member individually because it allows me to get a better understanding of what’s going on with each person. I find that when I meet with everyone at once, there are often times where someone is uncomfortable speaking or doesn’t want to share something in front of other family members. When I meet with each individual, I can ask questions and make sure they feel safe and comfortable.”

We want to increase access to mental health services for people in low-income communities. How would you go about doing this?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for helping others and the steps you would take to make a positive impact in your community. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how you would use your skills and experience to help people who need mental health services but may not have access to them.

Example: “I believe that everyone should have equal access to mental health care. In my previous role as a behavioral health consultant, I worked with a nonprofit organization that provided free counseling services to low-income families. I helped develop their website so they could reach more clients online. We also created a mobile app where users could schedule appointments and communicate with counselors.”

Describe your process for building trust with a new client.

When working with a new client, it’s important to build trust and establish a relationship. This helps you work together more effectively and efficiently. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn about your approach to establishing relationships quickly. In your answer, describe the steps you take to gain trust from clients. Explain that building trust is an essential part of your job as a behavioral health consultant.

Example: “When I first meet with a new client, I try to make them feel comfortable by asking questions and listening carefully to their answers. I also share personal information about myself so they know I’m trustworthy. After we get to know each other better, I explain my process for helping them achieve their goals. I want them to understand how I can help them overcome their challenges.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a behavioral health consultant position with our company?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research on their company and are qualified for the role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight any specific skills or experiences that align with what they’re looking for in a candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people overcome mental health issues and have extensive experience working as a behavioral health consultant. I also understand how important confidentiality is when working with clients, which is why I always ensure my clients’ information remains private. In fact, I once worked with a client who was experiencing suicidal thoughts, and I kept all of our sessions confidential until she felt comfortable sharing her story publicly.”

Which types of mental health issues do you feel you have the most personal experience with?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but you should also try to highlight how this personal experience has helped you develop as a mental health consultant.

Example: “I have personally struggled with anxiety my entire life. I’ve always been able to manage it well, though, so I don’t think of myself as someone who suffers from anxiety. However, I do understand what it feels like to suffer from anxiety and how it can affect people. This personal experience helps me empathize with clients who are struggling with anxiety.”

What do you think is the most important thing for a client to remember when working with a behavioral health consultant?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your interpersonal skills and how you might interact with clients. Your answer should show that you value the client’s opinion, understand their needs and are willing to work hard to make sure they’re satisfied with the services you provide.

Example: “I think it’s important for a client to remember that I’m here to help them achieve their goals. They have valuable insight into what works best for them and what doesn’t, so I always encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions about treatment plans. It’s my job to listen carefully and find ways to implement their ideas.”

How often should a client meet with a behavioral health consultant?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with scheduling appointments for clients. Use examples from past roles to explain how you determined the best schedule for each client.

Example: “I usually recommend that a client meet with me once every two weeks or once per month, depending on their needs and progress. For example, if they’re making steady progress in therapy sessions, I might only need to see them once per month. However, if they’re having trouble adjusting to treatment, I may suggest meeting with them more frequently. In my last role, one of my clients struggled with anxiety during the first few months of treatment. We met twice per week until she felt comfortable enough to reduce our meetings to once per week.”

There is a high turnover rate among behavioral health consultants at your company. How would you address this with your supervisor?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain how you would approach the situation in a positive way that helps improve the turnover rate.

Example: “I understand that there is a high turnover rate among behavioral health consultants at my company. I believe this is due to the fact that many of us are entry-level professionals who want to advance our careers. If I were to encounter this issue, I would first meet with my supervisor to discuss ways we could help employees feel more confident about their career growth within the organization. We could also create training opportunities for employees so they have the tools they need to succeed.”