How to Answer: What experience do you have helping your patients work through Mental Health challenges?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Occupational Therapist job interview.
7. What experience do you have helping your patients work through Mental Health challenges?
How to Answer
As an Occupational Therapist, you may help identify and implement healthy habits, rituals, and routines to support a wellness lifestyle by addressing barriers and building on existing abilities. Tell the interviewer how you provide information on how to monitor physical health concerns such as diabetes management, smoking cessation, develop strategies to control chronic symptoms, and recognize and respond to acute changes in your patients' mental health status.
Written by Heather Douglass
Entry Level
"In my Master's degree program, I received extensive training on working with patients who are suffering from mental illnesses. While not having direct hands on experience at this point, I know that promoting good self care and participation in activities are important to helping this population of patients."
Written by Ryan Brunner
Answer Example
"Often times when treating a patient that has had mobility in the past, they suffer from Mental Health Issues such as depression because of the new limitations. I work closely with their mental health provider to support and help them work through their challenges."
Written by Heather Douglass
Experienced
"I have had the opportunity to work with patients that were experiencing mental health issues due to their physical diagnosis as well as clients who were diagnoses with mental illness prior to their physical challenge. One of my most favorite patients in my career was a young man with Down Syndrome. He was very high functioning and I worked with him on daily living skills and work skills as he was looking to live on his own and begin working in the community. I was able to work with a large team of caregivers, including his family and social worker, to enable him to live life to the best of his abilities. To this day, we still see each other in the community once in a while and he always brings a smile to my face."
Written by Ryan Brunner