How to Answer: Tell me about a time when your counselling strategies helped a client to address a substantial issue. What strategies did you deploy?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Mental Health Counselor job interview.
32. Tell me about a time when your counselling strategies helped a client to address a substantial issue. What strategies did you deploy?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know more about your counseling and treatment style, and they want a specific story-example that highlights your work.
Since this question is a 'tell me about a time...' query, try to give a story-based example using the STAR framework. Star is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. This method will allow you to organize a clear and engaging response.
Give an example of a time when you were able to give your client the tools they needed to make a significant change in their life. Describe how you identified what they needed and how you helped them take steps to do things differently.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 21st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"(Situation) While interning at Clinic XYZ, we had a client who expressed feelings of depression and disconnection. (Task) As an intern, I spent the majority of my time observing the client sessions. I took notes and helped the lead therapist with session documentation. (Action) I observed the counselor using a variety of techniques such as humanistic and client-centered therapy. He wanted this patient to realize that she could reach a greater potential. Part of the issue stemmed from a lack of social connection. Hence, the counselor helped her gain a different perspective on social media and put a greater emphasis on going out to social events to make genuine connections. (Result) This method helped the client to manage expectations surrounding how she envisioned her life. The shift led to numerous improvements that built her self esteem over time. As a future Mental Health Counselor, I am interested in practicing client-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy with my clients. I think it is important to help my clients identify their thoughts and emotions and how these impact their daily routine."
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020
Answer Example
"(Situation) When working for Clinic ABC, I had a client in her late 40s. She had been in an unhealthy marriage for many years, and I was the 8th counselor she had hired. (Task) After reviewing her file, I knew that I needed to take a straightforward approach with her and address the fact that she continued to fire and hire counselors. (Action) In our first session, I asked her why she changed counselors so often. I needed to get to the heart of the issue. She admitted that once the sessions became too painful, she would move on. Knowing that she had significant emotional blocks, I continued to work with her on each one in a systematic way. I utilized different approaches, including psychodynamic counseling. (Result) We worked together for a year, which was much longer than any other counselor was able to keep her engaged. Today, she has left this abusive marriage and is attending college to gain her counseling degree with a focus on helping women in situations of domestic violence. It was an honor to be her counselor and see her overcome this significant pain in her life."
Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014
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