How to Answer: Walk me through the range of emotional and behavioural challenges you have helped clients to overcome in the past.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Mental Health Counselor job interview.
31. Walk me through the range of emotional and behavioural challenges you have helped clients to overcome in the past.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about your background and the type of client cases you are accustomed to managing. Your range of experience will help the hiring authority to understand if your knowledge is a good match for the needs of their organization and clients.
Talk about the range of cases and challenges you have faced as a Mental Health Counselor. As you share your experiences, the interviewer should feel confident in your abilities as a Mental Health Counselor. If there are specific mental health issues that this organization specializes in treating, be sure to make the connection between their needs and your experience. This answer approach will require ample research before your interview.
Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014
Entry Level Example
"I understand that your clinic works with our area's low-income population dealing with mental health and substance abuse. During my internship, I worked at a drop-in center. The clients were often addicted to drugs and alcohol. Here, I learned a great deal about comorbidities and substance abuse. I witnessed a lot of self-destructive and self-injurious behavior. I certainly broadened my therapeutic skill set during this time, and I am eager to take these new skills to assist your clients facing similar concerns."
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020
Answer Example
"I have worked with clients who have anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, mood disorders, addiction issues, eating disorders, cognitive impairments, and physical disabilities. My background is primarily in emergency response, and I have ten years of experience working with trauma victims and frontline workers who have PTSD after a traumatic event. With Counseling Clinic ABC, I worked on a team of field-counselors who went to the scene of extreme accidents and events, where counselors had to be on hand to work with victims performing debrief counseling and trauma therapy. It was a fast-paced and intense environment, and I gained incredibly strong skills in CBT, reality, and narrative therapy. This first-hand knowledge will help me to make an impact with your clients since I have a solid understanding of ways to connect with people, meet them on their level, and quickly assess their condition."
Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014
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