17 Crisis Intervention Counselor Interview Questions and Answers

Crisis intervention counselors are first responders who provide support to individuals experiencing a crisis. These crises can be the result of natural disasters, accidents, violence, or any other type of trauma. Crisis counselors help individuals cope with the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event and connect them with resources to begin the healing process.

If you’re interested in becoming a crisis intervention counselor, you’ll need to go through an interview process. This guide includes a list of crisis intervention counselor interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis?

This question can help interviewers understand how you feel about working with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. It can also show them whether or not you have experience in this area and if you’re comfortable doing so. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any previous experiences that may relate to the job.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. In my last role as a psychiatric nurse, I worked with many patients who were experiencing a mental health crisis. Some of these patients had suicidal thoughts while others were experiencing hallucinations. I was able to provide them with the care they needed and helped them get back on track.”

What are some of the most important skills for a crisis intervention counselor 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 crisis intervention counseling.

Example: “The most important skill for a crisis intervention counselor is empathy. It’s essential that I am able to understand what my clients are going through and provide them with support. Another important skill is communication. I need to be able to clearly communicate with both my clients and other professionals who may be working alongside me. Finally, patience is another key skill because some situations can take time to resolve.”

How would you handle a situation where a client refuses to take their medication?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to explain the steps you would take to ensure that the client takes their medication and also maintain their safety.

Example: “If I encountered this situation, I would first ask why they refused to take their medication. If it’s because of side effects or other reasons, I would work with them to find an alternative treatment method. If they refuse to take their medication for no reason, I would call their doctor to discuss what we could do to make sure they continue taking their medication.”

What is your process for documenting client interactions and counseling sessions?

This question can help interviewers understand how you organize your work and the steps you take to keep records organized. Your answer should include a specific example of how you documented client interactions or counseling sessions in your previous role, including any software or applications you used for recordkeeping.

Example: “I use an online document management system that allows me to create folders for each client I counsel. Within these folders, I can upload documents such as notes from counseling sessions, emails with clients and other relevant information. This helps me stay organized and ensures I have all necessary documentation when it’s time to submit my reports.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a client make a positive change in their life.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your counseling skills and how you helped a client overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a client make positive changes in their life and discuss what steps you took to achieve these results.

Example: “In my previous role as a crisis counselor, I worked with a client who was struggling with anxiety. This client would often call me at night when they were feeling anxious or stressed out. After working with them for several weeks, we developed a plan where they would practice deep breathing exercises whenever they felt anxious. Eventually, they learned to calm themselves down without needing to call me.”

If a client is actively experiencing a psychotic episode, what is your strategy for interacting with them?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation with a client. In your answer, try to describe the steps you would take and why you would use those specific strategies.

Example: “If I encountered a client who was experiencing a psychotic episode, my first step would be to assess their safety. If they were in immediate danger or if they were acting aggressively toward others, I would call for emergency services immediately. Otherwise, I would attempt to calm them down by speaking slowly and calmly and asking them what they need from me. I would also make sure that they have access to any medication they require.”

What would you do if you noticed another counselor was having a negative impact on your clients?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to handle conflict. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and collaboration. You can also mention a specific situation where you helped resolve a conflict between coworkers.

Example: “I believe it’s important for everyone in the counseling department to support one another. If I noticed my coworker was having a negative impact on their clients, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. If they didn’t change their behavior after our conversation, I would bring up my concerns with my supervisor so we could find a solution together.”

How well do you understand the mental health treatment system and the various resources available to clients?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the mental health treatment system and how you can help clients navigate it. Use examples from your experience to explain how you researched resources for clients or helped them find information on their own.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working with clients who are navigating the mental health care system, so I understand what resources are available in my area. In my last role, I worked with a client who was looking for an outpatient program that would accept his insurance. I used my research skills to look up all the programs within our county that offered the services he needed and found one that fit his needs.”

Do you have experience working with clients who have multiple mental health issues?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience working with clients who have complex mental health issues. If you do not have experience, you can explain how you would approach this situation if it arose in the future.

Example: “I have worked with clients who have multiple mental health issues before, and I find that my ability to empathize helps me connect with them more effectively. When a client has multiple mental health issues, I try to focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. For example, if they are struggling with anxiety and depression, I will ask them about something that makes them happy or proud. This allows me to get to know them better and build rapport.”

When is it appropriate to involve a client’s family or friends in their counseling sessions?

This question can help interviewers understand your counseling style and how you interact with clients’ families. It also helps them determine whether you have experience working with a client’s family members or friends. In your answer, try to explain why it is important to involve these individuals in the client’s treatment plan and what their role should be.

Example: “I believe that involving a client’s family and friends in their counseling sessions is an essential part of providing effective care. Family members and friends are often able to provide insight into a client’s life and experiences that I may not know about. This information can help me better understand the client’s situation and develop more effective treatment plans.

In my previous position as a crisis counselor, I always encouraged clients to bring their family members and friends to their counseling sessions. I found that this helped build trust between myself and the client and allowed for more open communication. I would encourage all of my clients to invite their loved ones to attend their counseling sessions. However, I would never force a client to do so if they did not want to.”

We want to improve our outreach efforts and increase awareness of our services in the local community. How would you go about doing this?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to develop strategies for increasing awareness of their organization and its services. Use examples from your experience that show you can create outreach plans, implement them and measure the results.

Example: “I would start by researching our target audience and identifying where they spend most of their time online. I’d then use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to reach out to these people with information about our services. I would also consider partnering with local businesses to offer discounts or coupons to clients who visit their establishments. This could help us increase brand awareness in the community.”

Describe your experience working with clients of different ages and backgrounds.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with a diverse group of people. Use examples from your previous job or describe how you would approach working with clients who have different backgrounds than you.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with children and teenagers as well as their parents. In my experience, it’s important to be empathetic toward all types of families. For example, when working with a family that has a background unlike mine, I try to remember what it was like for me to grow up in my own household. It can also help to do some research on the client’s culture before meeting them so I can understand any unique challenges they might be facing.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention any skills you have that are relevant to the position.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others in crisis situations. I know that my compassion for people will help me connect with clients and provide them with the support they need. In addition, I have previous counseling experience working at an after-school program where I helped students who were struggling emotionally. This experience has given me valuable insight into what types of support individuals in crisis need.”

Which counseling theories do you most identify with and why?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your counseling style and how it aligns with their organization’s approach. It can also give them insight into what you might be able to contribute to their team if you’re hired. When preparing for this question, think about which theories you’ve used most often in your previous roles and why they fit your personality or skill set.

Example: “I have found that I am most comfortable using cognitive behavioral therapy when working with clients. This is because I find it helpful to focus on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors rather than focusing on past events. I believe that by helping my clients change their thoughts and actions, we can work toward preventing future crises.”

What do you think is the most important thing that crisis intervention counselors can do to help their clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand your philosophy of counseling and how you approach helping clients. Your answer should reflect your personal values and what you think is most important in a crisis intervention counselor’s job.

Example: “I believe that the most important thing we can do as counselors is listen to our clients. Listening allows us to hear their concerns, learn about their lives and find out what they need from us. I also think it’s important for counselors to be empathetic and compassionate when working with clients. These traits allow me to connect with my clients on an emotional level and show them that I care about their well-being.”

How often should you check in with clients to see how they’re doing?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you balance your workload and ensure that clients are receiving adequate support. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of checking in with clients regularly, as well as how to manage your time effectively.

Example: “I believe it’s important to check in with clients at least once a week. This allows me to see if they have any questions or concerns about their treatment plan, which I can address right away. It also gives me an opportunity to make sure they’re feeling supported and comfortable with their progress. If I notice something is off, I can offer additional counseling services or refer them to someone else who might be able to help.”

There is a high volume of clients requesting appointments, but you have time to see one more client today. Who would you schedule a session with?

This question can help an interviewer understand your counseling style and how you prioritize clients. It can also show them that you have the ability to make decisions quickly, which is important in a high-stress environment like a crisis hotline.

Example: “I would schedule a session with a client who was suicidal because I feel it’s my duty as a counselor to ensure their safety. If they are actively considering suicide, then I believe they need immediate attention. I would also want to see a client who has been waiting for an appointment for a long time.”