MockQuestions

Mental Health Counselor Mock Interview

Question 27 of 40 for our Mental Health Counselor Mock Interview

Mental Health Counselor was updated by on June 26th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 27 of 40

Have you ever worked with a patient who you felt was previously misdiagnosed? If so, how did you handle the situation?

Mental Health Counselors have a valuable opportunity to intervene when they have reason to suspect potential misdiagnosis. Mental health professionals aren't perfect, and a patient could have an incorrect diagnosis. This factor is why you must pay keen attention as a counselor.

As a trained Mental Health Counselor, you can connect your clients to the resources and support they might need if their medication is wrong or if they need a different approach to treatment. When you respond to this question, show the interviewer that you have a handle on best practices in your field and that you exercise awareness and empathy in your patient care plan.

If you have encountered a similar situation, try to deliver a story-based response using the STAR framework. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Discuss the situation and share what you did to help redirect your client.

Next Question

How to Answer: Have you ever worked with a patient who you felt was previously misdiagnosed? If so, how did you handle the situation?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Mental Health Counselor job interview.

  • 27. Have you ever worked with a patient who you felt was previously misdiagnosed? If so, how did you handle the situation?

      How to Answer

      Mental Health Counselors have a valuable opportunity to intervene when they have reason to suspect potential misdiagnosis. Mental health professionals aren't perfect, and a patient could have an incorrect diagnosis. This factor is why you must pay keen attention as a counselor.

      As a trained Mental Health Counselor, you can connect your clients to the resources and support they might need if their medication is wrong or if they need a different approach to treatment. When you respond to this question, show the interviewer that you have a handle on best practices in your field and that you exercise awareness and empathy in your patient care plan.

      If you have encountered a similar situation, try to deliver a story-based response using the STAR framework. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Discuss the situation and share what you did to help redirect your client.

      Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014

      Entry Level Example

      "Mental health issues can be tricky, and misdiagnosis can certainly happen. (Situation) When I was completing my internship, the clinic had a client diagnosed with depression. (Task) As the intern, it was up to me to be astute in my observations, take notes, and then speak up if I had anything new to contribute. (Action) After observing a few counseling sessions, I saw that this client showed underlying symptoms that aligned with bipolar disorder. These signs included episodes of elatedness, where he rambled verbally and could not seem to get his thoughts together. He also had a history of impulsiveness, which I felt did not align as well with a typical depression diagnosis. So I kept an eye out for additional signs and asked my supervisor about them. (Result) We had the client see the psychiatrist in our clinic, and we concluded that his diagnosis should be updated to reflect mixed episode bipolar disorder. The benefit of completing my internship with a multidisciplinary team is that I could consult with the other healthcare professionals working with the client and discuss the situation around a 360 view of patient wellness. I was happy to be able to bring my notes to the table and encourage a patient re-assessment. This situation was certainly a highlight of my internship."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

      Answer Example

      "(Situation) A few months ago, I encountered a client who had a recent mood disorder diagnosis. (Task) As their newly appointed Mental Health Counselor, I wanted to take great care in reading their files to ensure that all of the dots connected before I added onto their treatment roster. (Action) I read through their files with a fine-toothed comb and noticed that they experienced drug-induced psychotic episodes from time to time. However, these episodes happened like clockwork around major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. After a few group and talk therapy sessions, I began to suspect that this client was abusing methamphetamines around these holidays as these events triggered traumatic family-related memories. I concluded that when this patient was clean, they did not have manic episodes. I felt that we needed to address the addiction and trauma issues before claiming a mood disorder, which would be a life long care issue. The social worker on the team disagreed with me and felt that her mania had persisted for years and should be part of her long term diagnostic plan. (Result) I worked closely with this client's multidisciplinary healthcare team, and we came up with a more inclusive treatment plan that included addiction therapy and hypnosis for deep trauma. In the end, we did not all entirely agree on a diagnosis. Still, we worked well together to ensure that the patient was properly taken care of and not just handed heavy prescriptions that may have been unnecessary."

      Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "I have never treated a client who I believe was misdiagnosed. However, should I have this form of experience I will first of all share my concerns with my supervisor regarding the client. With the supervisor's guidance and permission, as well as along with the client's knowledge and permission, I will discuss my client's case with the referring psychiatrist."

      Stephanie's Feedback

      Good--this is a thorough response and shows you are well-prepared for this type of challenge, even if you haven't personally encountered a misdiagnosis yet.