Clinical Psychologist Interview Questions

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What models of psychology are you familiar with and practice? See answer
Tell me about a challenging case, your approach to it and the results you got. See answer
What disorders have you treated most frequently, and what have been your results? See answer
What do you look for in a patient’s nonverbal cues during a counseling session? See answer
What types of counseling sessions are you most comfortable with? See answer
How do you uphold boundaries with clients during sessions? See answer
You may have clients with volatile emotions that are still learning to manage their anger. What would you do if a client got upset during a session and started yelling at you and insulting you?
Do you have experience administering Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy with trauma clients?
Are you comfortable collaborating with a patient’s psychiatrist and other members of their mental health team to form a treatment plan?
What would you do if a patient admitted they had stopped taking their psychiatric medication?
How would you handle a patient that regularly lied to you about their thoughts and experiences?
Do you understand the importance and limitations of doctor-client confidentiality in a psychiatric situation?
As a psychiatrist you should be able to diagnose patients along the entire spectrum of a disorder. Explain how borderline personality disorder can manifest differently in two patients.
What would you do if you thought that a client would benefit from taking psychiatric medication?
How do you practice self-care after working with a challenging client?

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6 Clinical Psychologist Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

What models of psychology are you familiar with and practice?

A:

Clinical psychologists typically adhere to one main model in their practice. During the interview process, you will want to understand if your candidate practices from a psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, cross-cultural, evolutionary or humanistic perspective. If you’re hiring in order to add to a group practice, you may be seeking a model your staff either does not have or one that will fit in with the current team.

What to look for in an answer:

Experience and passion in particular areas
Understanding and appreciation for all models
Background, education and continued learning

Example:

“Although I believe the psychodynamic model of psychology is the most effective, other approaches may be a better fit for certain clients.”

Q:

Tell me about a challenging case, your approach to it and the results you got.

A:

You’ll be able to assess the psychologist’s level of experience as well as obtain a glimpse into the candidate’s approach to a difficult client. Be sure that you understand the outcome of the case, the treatment time window and the correlation between treatment and results. If the candidate offers a routine case example, he or she may not have the experience needed to treat more complex psychological disorders.

What to look for in an answer:

Experience level with difficult or complex cases
Case conceptualization and approach
Level of focus on positive outcomes

Example:

“One patient suffered years of childhood trauma. After an assessment and six months of therapy, the patient achieved an increased level of daily functioning.”

Q:

What disorders have you treated most frequently, and what have been your results?

A:

In this case, you’re seeking to match your candidate’s experience with your organization’s current needs. For example, if your clinic treats many patients suffering from anxiety and depression, you’ll want someone with familiarity in those areas. However, if you see many elderly individuals who are struggling with mental health issues in combination with physical challenges, you may want to hire a psychologist with more experience with this age group.

What to look for in an answer:

Experience in areas where you have need
A broad understanding of common mental health issues
Specialty with particular age groups

Example:

“I have spent most of my career treating adults between the ages of 25 and 50 with anxiety and depression disorders.”

Q:

What do you look for in a patient’s nonverbal cues during a counseling session?

A:

An effective clinical psychologist will not only be listening carefully to a patient’s answers to questions or evaluating the direction a client chooses to take, but they will also be aware of nonverbal cues. You’ll want to assess your candidate’s ability to observe things like body language, tone of voice, eye contact and nervous habits. These nonverbal cues are important when assessing and treating a client.

What to look for in an answer:

Ability to observe nonverbal cues
Experience in interpreting nonverbal cues
Effectiveness in using cues to help in assessment and treatment

Example:

“Nonverbal cues are critical to understanding a patient’s state of mind during a session. I intentionally look for them, note them and respond when appropriate.”

Q:

What types of counseling sessions are you most comfortable with?

A:

Clinical psychologists typically have experience in different counseling settings. For example, some candidates specialize in individual therapy with adults while others work primarily with children. Some therapists enjoy and have experience in marital or partner therapies whereas others may be very strong at running group sessions. Matching your applicant’s understanding with the type of sessions demanded the most at your practice will be important.

What to look for in an answer:

Experience in the setting you require
Understanding of individual, marital and group therapy
Willingness to grow into new areas

Example:

“I primarily work with adults over the age of 17 in individual settings. However, I have some experience with couples and have run one ongoing group.”

Q:

How do you uphold boundaries with clients during sessions?

A:

Clinical psychologists conduct intimate therapy sessions with their clients where it is normal for the client to share deep personal details and divulge private concerns, anxieties and insecurities. Their supportive role means that some clients may have trouble understanding appropriate professional boundaries. Top candidates understand that they need to set firm limits on how involved they can be in a client's life to make sure they're a safe, objective source of psychological support.

A good answer should include:

An explanation of why boundaries are important in a mental health setting
Strategies for being professional with clients
Empathy and respect for their patients

One example answer that displays these qualities is:

Example:

"Many clients start therapy feeling isolated, and it's natural to feel friendly toward a psychologist when they listen to your issues and provide support. I make it clear that our interactions are limited to scheduled sessions, and provide them with the administrative business line as the source of contact. I limit the amount of information I divulge about my personal life to keep the session focused on the client. I also allow them to talk about their feelings about our professional relationship during sessions so we can work together to teach healthy boundaries that they can apply to their life."

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