17 Rehabilitation Psychologist Interview Questions and Answers

Rehabilitation psychologists work with patients who have physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities. They help patients manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.

If you’re a rehabilitation psychologist, you know that your work makes a difference in the lives of your patients. But before you can start helping others, you need to get hired for a job. And that means going through a job interview.

While each job interview is different, there are some questions that are commonly asked in rehabilitation psychologist interviews. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of these questions and provided sample answers.

Are you comfortable working with people who have a wide range of disabilities?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with a variety of disabilities. They want to know that you can adapt to different situations and work well with people who are unique. In your answer, share about the types of disabilities you’ve worked with in the past and how you helped those clients.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of disabilities throughout my career. I enjoy learning new things and adapting to each situation. For example, when I first started working as a rehabilitation psychologist, I had a client who was blind but could hear. I learned sign language so I could communicate with them more effectively. It’s always interesting to learn something new.”

What are some of the most important skills for a rehabilitation psychologist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications they’re looking for in a rehabilitation psychologist. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of your own personal strengths that relate to the job description.

Example: “The most important skill for a rehabilitation psychologist is empathy. It’s important to understand how patients feel when going through their treatment so we can provide them with the best care possible. Another important skill is communication. Rehabilitation psychologists need to be able to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals as well as patients and their families. Finally, I think problem-solving skills are essential because we often work with people who are struggling emotionally or psychologically.”

How would you help a patient who is refusing to participate in treatment?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, you should show that you are willing to work with patients who may be reluctant to participate in treatment and how you would encourage them to do so.

Example: “I would first try to understand why the patient is refusing treatment. I would then explain to them what they stand to gain from participating in treatment and emphasize the importance of their participation. If they continue to refuse treatment, I would document this behavior and inform my supervisor or manager about it.”

What is your process for evaluating a patient’s mental health and determining the best course of treatment?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gain insight into your treatment methods and how they differ from other psychologists. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for evaluating mental health issues, determining the best course of treatment and monitoring patient progress throughout their treatment plan.

Example: “I begin by conducting an initial evaluation with my patients to determine what factors are contributing to their mental health concerns. I use diagnostic tools like personality tests and cognitive assessments to help me understand the root cause of their symptoms. Once I have identified the primary issue, I develop a personalized treatment plan that includes both individual and group therapy sessions. Throughout the duration of the treatment plan, I regularly meet with my patients to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plans as needed.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient’s family understand their loved one’s condition and treatment plan.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with patients and their families. It can also show them your ability to explain complex information in a way that is easy for others to understand. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you helped someone’s family understand something about their loved one or yourself.

Example: “I once worked with a patient who had schizophrenia. The patient was unable to take care of themselves, so they lived at home with their parents. I met with the patient and their parents every week during treatment. During these meetings, I would go over what the patient learned from our previous session and discuss any changes in their condition. I found that explaining the illness and its symptoms in simple terms made it easier for the patient’s parents to understand what was happening. This helped them feel more confident in my abilities as a psychologist.”

If a patient was making significant progress in therapy but then started to regress, how would you handle this situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and setbacks in therapy. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where this happened and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “When working with patients who are making progress but then regress, I first try to determine what caused the regression. Sometimes, there is an external factor that contributed to the setback, such as a family emergency or change in medication. If I find that the patient’s regression was due to something outside of their control, I focus on helping them regain confidence and continue progressing through therapy. However, if I find that the patient regressed because they weren’t following our treatment plan, I discuss my concerns with them and explain why their behavior is detrimental to their recovery.”

What would you do if you noticed that a patient was having negative interactions with their therapist?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle interpersonal conflicts. It also helps them determine whether you have the ability to manage a patient’s care if they’re experiencing conflict with their therapist. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I noticed that a patient was having negative interactions with their therapist, I would first speak with the patient about my concerns. If the problem continued, I would then speak with the therapist to discuss the situation. Together, we would come up with a plan for resolving the issue and preventing similar problems in the future.”

How well do you think you can adapt your counseling style to meet the needs of diverse clients?

Rehabilitation psychologists often work with clients from different backgrounds and cultures. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with diverse populations. In your answer, share a specific example of how you’ve helped clients who are different than yourself in the past.

Example: “I once worked with a client whose cultural background was very different from my own. I had to adapt my counseling style to meet his needs. For instance, he didn’t like being touched, so I made sure not to touch him during our sessions. He also liked having more one-on-one time with me, so I scheduled longer appointments for him. By adapting my counseling style to meet his unique needs, we were able to overcome that challenge.”

Do you have any experience working with patients who are addicted to substances?

Addiction is a common issue for patients in rehabilitation facilities. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with these types of patients and how you handled them. In your answer, share what type of substance the patient was addicted to and how you helped them overcome their addiction.

Example: “In my previous role as a psychologist, I worked with many patients who were addicted to substances. One patient I remember in particular was addicted to heroin. He came into treatment because he wanted to get clean so that he could be a better father to his children. During our sessions, we talked about why he started using drugs and how it affected his life. We also discussed ways he could avoid relapse once he left rehab.”

When performing research, what is your process for selecting a topic and developing a hypothesis?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your research skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, consider describing a time when you used your research skills to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “When selecting a topic for my dissertation, I first considered what interested me most. Then, I researched related topics that could help me develop my hypothesis. After reading through several articles on these subjects, I decided which ones would be best suited for my own study. From there, I developed my hypothesis by combining elements from multiple sources.”

We want to improve our outreach to at-risk populations. How would you go about implementing a strategy to do this?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with a team and develop strategies for outreach. Your answer should include how you would approach the task, who you would involve in the process and what steps you would take to implement the strategy.

Example: “I would first meet with my supervisor to discuss the goals of this outreach program. I would then reach out to other rehabilitation psychologists to see if they have any ideas or resources that we could use to help us reach at-risk populations. After researching these options, I would create a plan to implement outreach programs that are both effective and cost-efficient.”

Describe your process for developing and implementing a treatment plan.

The interviewer may ask this question to gain insight into your treatment methods and how you apply them in a clinical setting. Use examples from past experiences to describe the steps you take when developing a plan for a client’s rehabilitation.

Example: “I first assess my client’s needs by asking questions about their goals, challenges and concerns. I then use these answers to create an individualized treatment plan that includes specific strategies for addressing each of these issues. In some cases, I might recommend group therapy or other types of interventions depending on the patient’s unique situation. After creating the plan, I share it with the patient so they understand what to expect during our sessions.”

What makes you qualified to work with patients who have mental health issues?

Rehabilitation psychologists often work with patients who have mental health issues, so employers ask this question to make sure you’re qualified for the job. When answering this question, explain your education and experience working with people who suffer from mental illness.

Example: “I’ve worked in a psychiatric hospital for five years now, where I see patients of all ages who are struggling with mental illness. In my role as a rehabilitation psychologist, I help these patients develop coping mechanisms and learn how to manage their symptoms. My training has prepared me to work with patients who have a wide range of mental illnesses.”

Which mental health disorders do you have the most experience working with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and whether you have any unique qualifications. If you have worked with a specific mental health disorder before, share what kind of work you did in that area. If you haven’t had much experience working with a certain disorder, explain why this is the case and how you would approach learning about it if hired.

Example: “I’ve primarily worked with anxiety disorders and mood disorders throughout my career. I find these two areas to be particularly interesting because they are so complex but also treatable. In my last role, I was able to develop an effective treatment plan for patients who were experiencing depression. This helped them feel more comfortable and confident in their daily lives.”

What do you think is the most important thing that a rehabilitation psychologist can do to help their patients?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it means to be a rehabilitation psychologist. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge and experience in this field, as well as how you can help patients achieve their goals.

Example: “I think the most important thing I can do for my patients is listen to them. When someone comes into therapy, they are often feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start. My job is to make sure they feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts with me so we can work together to find solutions. I also believe that empathy is one of the most important skills a rehabilitation psychologist can have. It’s essential to understand what our patients are going through so we can provide support.”

How often should a patient see their therapist?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with scheduling appointments and how you manage time. Your answer should include a specific number of times per week or month that you recommend patients see their therapist, as well as an explanation for why this is beneficial to them.

Example: “I typically recommend my patients visit me once every two weeks at minimum. This allows us to discuss any issues they may be having in between sessions so we can work on solutions together. I find that more frequent visits can lead to burnout because there isn’t enough time to implement new strategies before seeing the patient again.”

There is a new treatment that hasn’t been approved by the FDA for your patient’s condition. Would you recommend it to them?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ethical judgment. It’s important that you demonstrate an understanding of the importance of following professional guidelines and regulations when treating patients.

Example: “I would never recommend a treatment method or medication without first consulting with my patient about their goals, needs and preferences. If they were open to trying it, I would explain the risks and benefits of this new treatment so they could make an informed decision. In some cases, I may even suggest they try it on their own before we discuss it further in therapy sessions. However, if they wanted me to administer it during our sessions, I would only do so after discussing it with them and getting approval from their primary care physician.”