1. Interview Questions
  2. Healthcare and Medical Interview Questions

Mental Health Specialist Interview Questions

Top 5 mental health specialist interview questions with detailed tips for both hiring managers and candidates.
Paul Peters
By Paul Peters, May 13, 2021
Paul Peters is the Chief Editor of Betterteam. He's a former print journalist and small business owner and has written articles for a variety of newspapers, magazines and websites.
Mental health specialist maintaining detailed notes while performing an assessment.

Mental health specialists use their knowledge of mental illness and human psychology to help manage and treat patients with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, post-traumatic stress, and more.

When interviewing mental health specialists, look for candidates who demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of mental disorders and show a genuine interest in the well-being of patients. Avoid candidates who lack compassion and struggle to work as part of a team.

Interview Questions for Mental Health Specialists:

1. What motivated you to become a mental health specialist?

Illustrates motivations and may reveal important personality traits required in this role.

2. What are the primary goals of cognitive-behavioral therapy?

Assesses understanding of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

3. A patient presents with severe anxiety. What course of action do you follow?

Tests the ability to think under pressure and to use appropriate relaxation techniques in difficult cases.

4. What type(s) of therapies have you been most successful using, and why?

Tests knowledge and application of different therapy types, as well as experience level.

5. Which patients would you most like to work with, and why?

Reveals interests, passions, and overall suitability for the role. May also outline long-term career goals.

Related Articles:

Licensed Professional Counselor Interview Questions

Top 5 licensed professional counselor interview questions with detailed tips for both hiring managers and candidates.

Mental Health Counselor Interview Questions

Top 5 mental health counselor interview questions with detailed tips for both hiring managers and candidates.

Mental Health Worker Interview Questions

Top 5 mental health worker interview questions with detailed tips for both hiring managers and candidates.

Mental Health Specialist Job Description

Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a mental health specialist job description.

Mental Health Therapist Job Description

Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a mental health therapist job description.

Mental Health Counselor Job Description

Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a mental health counselor job description.

Mental Health Worker Job Description

Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a mental health worker job description
Post a Job