Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a qualified mental health professional, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
Mental health professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice. They may specialize in working with a particular population, such as children, adolescents, or the elderly, or in a particular type of mental health disorder, such as addiction, eating disorders, or mood disorders.
No matter what your specialization, you’ll likely face some common interview questions when you’re applying for a job as a mental health professional. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions and provided sample answers.
Employers may ask this question to make sure you are qualified for the position. If they know that you have a license, it shows them that you are serious about your career and committed to upholding ethical standards. When answering this question, be honest about whether or not you are licensed in the state where you’re applying. If you aren’t yet licensed, explain what steps you’ve taken to get your license and when you expect to receive it.
Example: “I am currently licensed as a mental health professional in California. I applied for my license after graduating from my program and passed all of the necessary exams. I received my license last year, so I’m ready to start working immediately.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience and expertise in a specific area of mental health. It can also help them determine if you have the skills to provide therapy that aligns with their organization’s goals. When preparing for this question, think about what types of therapy you’ve provided in previous roles. Consider mentioning two or three types of therapy that you’re comfortable providing and feel confident doing so.
Example: “I primarily use cognitive behavioral therapy when working with clients. This type of therapy helps people identify negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with more positive ones. I also use interpersonal therapy to help clients develop healthy relationships and communication skills. Finally, I use solution-focused therapy to help my clients find solutions to their problems.”
Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your treatment methods and how you apply them in a clinical setting. Use examples from your experience that show how you use evidence-based practices, collaborate with other professionals and consider the unique needs of each patient.
Example: “I always start by listening carefully to my patients’ concerns and symptoms. I then perform an initial assessment to determine what factors are contributing to their mental health issues. From there, I develop a plan for treatment that includes both short-term goals and long-term objectives. For example, when working with a new patient who has anxiety, I might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy as a primary course of treatment. This helps the patient understand the root causes of their anxiety and provides tools they can use to manage it.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your knowledge of mental illness to your work with patients. Use examples from past experiences to show that you consider family history when working with a patient and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Example: “I once worked with a patient who had a family member with schizophrenia, so I knew there was a chance they could develop the same condition. When we first met, I asked them about their family health history and learned that one of their parents suffered from depression. We discussed ways to reduce the risk of developing similar conditions and developed a treatment plan that focused on reducing stress and improving mood.”
Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, think of a time when you used your creativity to help a patient overcome an obstacle or challenge.
Example: “I once worked with a client who was struggling with depression. She felt like she had no purpose in life and didn’t know what she wanted to do for work. I asked her to draw pictures of things that made her happy. After looking at all of her drawings, we decided that she would pursue a career as a children’s book author. She started writing books and is now very successful.”
Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to manage conflict. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm and respectful while also standing by your diagnosis.
Example: “If a patient disagrees with my diagnosis, I would first listen to their concerns and then explain why I made the diagnosis I did. If they still disagree after hearing my explanation, I would refer them to another mental health professional for a second opinion. This shows patients that I respect their opinions but also want to make sure they receive the best care possible.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you handle stress and challenges in your work. Use examples from previous experiences to explain what you did, the steps you took to manage your workload and how it helped you complete your tasks.
Example: “If I felt overwhelmed by my workload, I would first try to prioritize my tasks so that I could focus on the most important ones first. If this didn’t help me get through all of my work, I would ask for help from a colleague or supervisor. In my last position, I was working with a client who had severe anxiety issues. I asked my supervisor if they could assign another therapist to work with the client while I focused on other clients.”
This question can help interviewers assess your ability to accept feedback and use it to improve your work. When answering, consider how you’ve used constructive criticism in the past to grow as a professional or learn new skills.
Example: “I understand that receiving constructive criticism is an important part of my growth as a mental health professional. I try to take all feedback from patients seriously and use it to reflect on my own performance. In the past, I have received both positive and negative feedback from colleagues and supervisors about my work. I always took this feedback into consideration when making changes to my practice.”
If the facility you’re interviewing for has a large population of patients who speak a different language, employers may ask this question to make sure you have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. In your answer, try to explain how you’ve used your skills and knowledge to help these types of patients in the past.
Example: “I do have experience working with patients who don’t speak English. I worked at a mental health clinic that had a lot of Spanish-speaking patients. To communicate with them, I learned some basic phrases in Spanish so I could understand what they were saying and respond appropriately. I also made sure to always have an interpreter present when needed.”
When working with a group of patients, it’s important to ensure everyone feels included and comfortable. This question can help an interviewer understand how you interact with others in the workplace. Use examples from your experience where you helped create a positive environment for all employees or clients.
Example: “In my last role as a mental health counselor, I worked with a group of teenagers who were struggling with depression. One way that I made sure everyone felt comfortable was by making sure they each had a chance to speak during our sessions. I would ask them questions about their lives and what they liked to do outside of therapy. By including everyone, we were able to make meaningful connections and build trust.”
This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. It also allows you to show the interviewer how you can make an impact in the community. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what you would do and why you would do it.
Example: “I think one of the best ways to reach out to at-risk populations is by having mental health professionals go into schools and teach students about mental illness and how to recognize when someone may need help. I have experience volunteering as a guest speaker for my local high school where I spoke to students about anxiety disorders and provided them with resources they could use if they ever needed help.”
Presentations are a common part of working as a mental health professional. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience giving presentations and that you know how to do it in a way that helps patients learn the information. In your answer, explain what steps you take when preparing for a presentation and what strategies you use to help keep patients engaged during your talk.
Example: “I always start by asking my supervisor or manager which topics I should cover at each meeting. Then, I research all of those topics so I can be prepared with relevant facts and statistics. During the meeting, I usually start by introducing myself and explaining why I’m qualified to speak on these subjects. After that, I go through each topic one by one, making sure to pause between each one so everyone has time to process the information.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you compare to other professionals in the field. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill or experience that makes you unique from others. You can also explain why these skills are beneficial for the role.
Example: “I think what makes me stand out is my ability to connect with patients on an emotional level. I have always been passionate about helping people feel better emotionally, which led me to pursue mental health as a career. I find that many of my patients appreciate my empathy and compassion when they’re going through difficult times. This helps them open up and share their feelings, which ultimately leads to healing.”
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your interests and skills. It also helps them understand what you might be able to contribute to their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific clients or projects that helped develop these interests.
Example: “I have always been fascinated by how our brains work and how we make decisions. I enjoy working with people who are trying to overcome mental health issues because I find it rewarding to see them learn new ways of thinking and behaving. I also love working with children because they’re so eager to learn about themselves and the world around them.”
This question can give the interviewer insight into your counseling style and how you help patients. Your answer should show that you are empathetic to their needs, but also realistic about what they may be able to achieve in therapy.
Example: “I think it’s important for patients to remember that therapy is a process. It takes time to make changes, so I encourage my patients to come prepared each week with questions or concerns. This way we can work on addressing those issues right away instead of waiting until our next session.”
This question can help interviewers understand your approach to therapy and how you might work with patients. In your answer, try to explain the factors that influence your decision about when a patient should see a therapist.
Example: “I recommend seeing a therapist at least once a month for most patients. However, I also take into account their individual needs. For example, if they’re having trouble sleeping or are struggling with anxiety, I may suggest more frequent sessions. If they’re doing well in other areas of their life but still have some issues with depression, I may suggest fewer sessions per month.”
This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to adapt and change with new information. It also shows how you will handle conflict between yourself and your patients. In your answer, explain that you would research the treatment thoroughly before implementing it into your practice.
Example: “I believe in always learning more about my field of work. If there was a new treatment for one of my patient’s mental illnesses, I would make sure to learn all about it before trying it out on them. I would discuss the pros and cons of the treatment with each patient individually so they could decide if they wanted to try it or not.”