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Mental Health Counselor Mock Interview

Question 2 of 40 for our Mental Health Counselor Mock Interview

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

Question 2 of 40

What type of medical information do you look for when doing an initial client assessment before treatment begins?

"While earning my counseling degree, I came across a checklist for Mental Health Counselors, which I believe will be a helpful tool as I begin working with clients. First, it is important to get a full picture of my clients' history before we move forward with counseling. This full picture means starting with the individual's medical history, including any past hospitalizations and previous to current medications. It's helpful to know if there is any mental illness in the family, so I would be sure to ask many discovery questions about their family's medical history. Since I am new to my career, I am very open to learning new intake processes and approaches to initial assessments."

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How to Answer: What type of medical information do you look for when doing an initial client assessment before treatment begins?

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

  • 2. What type of medical information do you look for when doing an initial client assessment before treatment begins?

      How to Answer

      The interviewer would like to get an idea of the groundwork you perform before starting treatment with a client. As a Mental Health Counselor, you already know the importance of approaching your clients with a 360-degree approach to health and wellness. Explain to the interviewer the type of information you gather in your evaluations and initial assessments. Be sure to elaborate on why this information is essential for you to obtain.

      Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014

      Entry Level Example

      "While earning my counseling degree, I came across a checklist for Mental Health Counselors, which I believe will be a helpful tool as I begin working with clients. First, it is important to get a full picture of my clients' history before we move forward with counseling. This full picture means starting with the individual's medical history, including any past hospitalizations and previous to current medications. It's helpful to know if there is any mental illness in the family, so I would be sure to ask many discovery questions about their family's medical history. Since I am new to my career, I am very open to learning new intake processes and approaches to initial assessments."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on August 15th, 2020

      Answer Example

      "I must gather as much information as possible in the client intake forms and initial assessments. This information allows me to understand what medications the client is taking, if they had recent surgery, or if any physical impairments could impact their therapy in some way. The clients' mental health history, family history, and list of medications are crucial pieces of information to have before building and acting on a treatment plan. I also must learn of any previous mental health-related diagnosis. Lastly, physical disorders can have a significant impact on a clients' mental health, so I will request a full medical history from the client, which they can obtain from their general practitioner or any previous healthcare providers before getting started."

      Written by Ryan Brown on August 11th, 2014

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "As a mental health provider, before any form of treatment begins, I look for any existing physical and mental conditions and treatments. At times, a physical ailment or treatment can affect one's mental functioning. I also look for a family history of mental and physical problems, as well as drug and alcohol use."

      Stephanie's Feedback

      Great response--it sounds like you have a solid plan in place for conducting initial client assessments!

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