20 Centerstone Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at Centerstone, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, be prepared to answer questions about your experience working with clients who have mental health disorders. Second, be ready to discuss your counseling and treatment methods. Finally, be prepared to talk about your experience working in a non-profit health care setting. By keeping these things in mind, you will be able to ace your interview and get one step closer to landing your dream job at Centerstone.

Centerstone Interview Process

The interview process at Centerstone can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will be conducted by multiple people, including team members of various ranks. The interview process is generally fairly relaxed, and candidates are encouraged to ask questions. In some cases, candidates may be asked to take a grammar, writing, or math test.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of mental health care?

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your knowledge and opinions about the mental health care industry. Use this opportunity to share any thoughts you have on how the system could be improved or what you think are its strengths.

Example: “I believe that there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness, which makes it difficult for many people to seek treatment. I would like to see more awareness campaigns that encourage people to speak up about their struggles and seek out support. I also think we need to do a better job at educating our youth about mental health so they know where to go when they need help.”

2. Describe a time where you were able to help someone with their mental health issues.

This question is a great way to show your passion for helping others and how you can apply that passion in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what you did to help someone and how they reacted to your actions.

Example: “When I was working as a counselor at my previous job, I had a client who was struggling with anxiety. She would often miss our appointments because she felt too anxious to leave her home. I decided to meet her at her house so we could talk one-on-one. After talking for a while, she realized that she wasn’t alone in her struggles and that there were ways to overcome them. She started coming to all of our sessions after that.”

3. Do you have any experience working with children or adolescents?

Centerstone offers a variety of mental health services for children and adolescents. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with this age group, as it can be challenging to work with them. If you do not have any experience working with children or adolescents, you should explain why you are interested in doing so.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children and adolescents because I believe that we can help them develop healthy minds and bodies. I would love the opportunity to work with these young people and their families to ensure they receive the best care possible.”

4. Are you comfortable working in a school environment?

Centerstone has a program that provides mental health services to students in the public school system. This question is asking you if you have experience working with children and adolescents, as well as how comfortable you are doing so. If you do not have any experience working with children or adolescents, explain what type of work you would be interested in doing in this environment.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with children and adolescents. I worked at an after-school care facility for five years where I provided tutoring and counseling services to elementary school children. I also volunteered at my local library where I taught basic computer skills to middle schoolers.”

5. What would you do if you noticed that a parent was not following doctor’s orders?

This question is a behavioral one that allows you to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with parents. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would handle the situation.

Example: “If I noticed that a parent was not following doctor’s orders, I would first speak with the child’s primary care physician about what they recommend. If there are no changes in behavior or attitude after speaking with the doctor, I would then meet with the family to discuss their concerns and find out why they were not following instructions. After meeting with the family, I would follow up with the doctor to see if there was anything else we could do.”

6. If hired, what kind of caseload would you prefer?

This question is a way for the interviewer to understand your experience level and how you would fit into their organization. It’s important to be honest about your experience, but also highlight any transferable skills that could help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I have worked with clients of all ages and mental health needs, so I am comfortable working with anyone who may need my support. However, I do have some experience working with adolescents and young adults, which I think will be helpful if hired here.”

7. How would you describe your counseling style?

This question can help the interviewer understand your personality and how you would interact with patients. Describe your style in a way that highlights your strengths, such as empathy or communication skills.

Example: “I believe my counseling style is very empathetic. I try to put myself in my patient’s shoes and think about what they might be feeling. This helps me create a plan of action for each session that addresses their needs and preferences. For example, if a patient wants to talk through their problems but doesn’t want to discuss them at length, I will listen carefully and ask questions to get more information without overwhelming them.”

8. Tell us about your clinical background and expertise.

This question is an opportunity to highlight your experience and qualifications. You can include any certifications you have, the number of years you’ve been practicing or working in a mental health setting and any other relevant information that makes you qualified for this role.

Example: “I am a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree in counseling psychology from University of Georgia. I have worked as a therapist at a community mental health center for five years where I counseled patients on their mental health issues and provided them with treatment plans.”

9. What is your approach to treating patients who don’t want to be treated?

This question is a good way to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with patients who may be challenging. It’s important to show that you can remain calm, compassionate and professional in these situations.

Example: “I understand that some patients don’t want treatment because they’re not ready or they feel like it won’t help them. In these cases, I try to listen to their concerns and provide resources for them to learn more about the treatments we offer. If they still aren’t interested, I respect their decision and continue to check in on them regularly.”

10. Have you dealt with difficult situations before, how did you handle them?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with handling challenging situations. This can be an opportunity for you to share a story of how you helped resolve a conflict or problem in the past.

Example: “In my last position, I had a patient who was experiencing severe anxiety and depression. The patient’s family members were concerned that they weren’t seeing any improvement after several weeks of treatment. After speaking with the patient, I learned that he wasn’t taking his medication as prescribed. He also didn’t have transportation to get to appointments. I spoke with the patient’s family about these issues and worked with them to find a solution. In the end, we found a way for him to take public transportation to our facility.”

11. As a case manager, how would you prioritize cases?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would manage your time and responsibilities as a case manager. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and communicate with clients and other team members.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing multiple cases at once. I used an online calendar system to keep track of all appointments and due dates. For each new client, I created a schedule that included their primary care physician, therapist and psychiatrist. I also scheduled weekly check-ins with each client to ensure they were making progress toward their goals.”

12. Why do you want to work at Centerstone?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also allows you to talk about what attracted you to this role, which can be helpful if you are applying for multiple positions within Centerstone.

Example: “I have always been interested in mental health care, and I think that Centerstone’s mission of providing quality treatment while helping patients achieve their goals is inspiring. I am passionate about working with people who need help and want to make a difference in their lives.”

13. Do you have any experience working with people from different cultural backgrounds?

Centerstone is a non-profit organization that provides mental health and disorder treatments to people from different cultural backgrounds. The hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have experience working with these types of patients in the past. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or experiences you have working with diverse populations.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of patients throughout my career, including those from different cultural backgrounds. I find it important to be respectful of each patient’s background and beliefs while also ensuring they are getting the best care possible. In my last role as a counselor at a community hospital, I had a patient who was deaf. I learned American Sign Language so I could communicate with them more effectively.”

14. We often work with families who are struggling financially. How would you deal with this situation?

Centerstone is a non-profit organization, and they want to make sure that their employees are empathetic toward those who need financial assistance. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working with people in this situation and how you would help them through it.

Example: “I’ve worked with families before who were struggling financially, and I always try to find ways to help them save money on treatment costs. For example, when I was working at my previous job, we had a family who needed to pay for transportation to get to our facility. We helped them apply for discounted bus passes so they could save some money.”

15. Do you feel comfortable handling highly stressful situations?

Centerstone is a highly stressful environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can handle it. Highlight your ability to stay calm under pressure and how you use problem-solving skills to resolve issues quickly.

Example: “I have worked in a high-stress environment before, so I am used to handling stress. However, I also know that there are ways to reduce stress at work. For example, I always try to communicate with my team members when I need help or if I notice something they could improve on. This helps me build rapport with them and makes them more willing to help me when I need it.”

16. What do you think the most important aspect of being a therapist is?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in this field and understand what it takes to be successful. When answering, consider what skills or traits helped you succeed as a therapist and highlight them.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a therapist is having empathy for your patients. I’ve seen many therapists who are very intelligent but lack compassion when working with their clients. This can make therapy sessions uncomfortable and even harmful for some patients. I always strive to treat my patients with respect and kindness so they feel comfortable opening up about their problems.”

17. Can you tell me about a time when you felt like an intervention wasn’t successful?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and learn from them. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but try not to focus on the negative aspects of a situation. Instead, highlight what you learned from it and how you would handle similar situations differently if given the chance.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was struggling with substance abuse issues. I tried my best to support him through his treatment plan, but he often missed appointments or showed up late. Eventually, I had to tell him that we couldn’t continue working together unless he committed to following through with all of our scheduled sessions. He agreed, and after a few weeks, he started showing up for every appointment. I learned that sometimes you have to set boundaries to get the results you want.”

18. What factors do you consider when deciding whether to place someone in an outpatient or residential program?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you apply it in the field. Use examples from past experiences to explain how you make these decisions, especially if they relate to Centerstone’s mission or values.

Example: “When deciding whether a client should be placed in an outpatient or residential program, I consider their mental health diagnosis, any medications they’re taking and their side effects, their overall physical health and any other medical conditions they have, their support system at home and within the community and their ability to function independently.”

19. What do you think needs to be done to increase awareness for mental health disorders?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your passion for helping others and how you might contribute to Centerstone’s mission. Use examples from your own life or experiences that helped you understand mental health disorders more.

Example: “I think it is important to increase awareness about mental health disorders because many people still don’t know what they are, how they affect someone’s life and who they can talk to if they need help. I volunteered at my local hospital where we had an event called ‘Mental Health Awareness Week.’ We had guest speakers come in to educate the public on different types of mental illnesses and ways to support those with them.”

20. What challenges do you foresee in this role?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific challenge you faced in the past and how you overcame it.

Example: “I foresee that one of my biggest challenges will be helping patients who are struggling with depression or anxiety. I have experience working with these types of mental health issues before, so I know what techniques work best for each patient. However, if a patient isn’t responding well to treatment, I would make sure to refer them to another professional for further assistance.”