What to ask a clinical psychologist

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Clinical Psychologist Interview Questions:

1. What was your most challenging case in the past, and how did you accomplish a suitable outcome?

The potential hire’s answer will demonstrate their ability to obtain positive outcomes and will give you insight into their approaches.

2. Which are the most common disorders you have treated, and how have you approached these?

The candidate’s response will give you insight into their experience, the approaches they employ, and the shortcomings and successes of their approaches.

3. How have clients’ non-verbal cues helped you to make assessments in the past?

The answers to this question will give you insight into the candidate’s observational skills.

4. What was the most severe condition you have treated, and how did it affect you?

The potential hire’s answer will give you further insight into their experience and capabilities, as well as their ability to deal with distressing situations.

5. How would you define a successful clinical psychologist?

The candidate’s answer will give you insight into aspects of being a clinical psychologist they focus on.

This post is part of an ongoing series about applicant interview weekends in Psychology departments. Check back for posts about interviews in other areas of Psychology, and visit our Careers in Psychology section.Interviewing for doctoral programs in clinical psychology can be a nerve-racking process. Here are some tips from current clinical psychology graduate students on questions they asked (or wish they had asked) during interviews and also some questions you should prepare to answer. You may not have an opportunity to ask all of the questions in part 1, and you certainly will not end up answering all of part 2 during your interviews. So identify which topics are most interesting or relevant to you, and start from there! Good luck!

Part 1. Questions to ask about…

Your target advisor and lab:

Could I learn a more about the broader goals and timelines of your current studies?
What types of responsibilities does a graduate student in your lab typically have? (Assessment? Coding? Analysis? Recruitment or data entry? Grant writing?)
How would you describe your mentoring style?
How often do you meet your graduate students on a one-on-one basis?
How do students select research topics for their master’s thesis and dissertation? What role do you play in this process?
How successful have students in your lab been in getting extramural funding (e.g., NSF, NRSA)?
Is it common for graduate students in your lab to first author papers based on original ideas?
What types of opportunities are there for students to network with other scholars?

Clinical training:

Are graduate students in your lab typically involved in providing assessment and intervention for your ongoing studies?
What kinds of practicum opportunities would I have (e.g. age group, minorities, location, etc.)? When do these usually begin? Do students ever have trouble getting enough hours for internship?
What type of clinical supervision can graduate students expect?
Are there opportunities with work with <your specific population of interest>?

Graduate classes and general program structure:

What are the 3 best qualities of this program? What are 3 qualities that could be improved?
Are there opportunities to take classes in other areas of psychology? What about statistical training?
How are students evaluated outside of formal testing? When are comprehensive exams typically taken?
What kind of help is provided post-graduation? What’s the typical success rate for findings jobs for individuals in this program? How many graduates enter academia? Where are recent graduates working? How long is the typical job search for a graduate from this program?

Teaching:

What types of teaching opportunities are available for graduate students? What determines whether you will get them or not?

Questions to ask graduate students:

Are you happy here? (or observe and assess on your own – this is 6 years of your life; it’s important!)
What are the 3 best and 3 worst aspects of this program?
When it came down to making your final decision on a program, how did you go about choosing this one?
Do students in the program collaborate with each other? If so, in what contexts?
What is it like working with <advisor of interest>? Easily accessible? Micromanager? What kind of student would not work well with this advisor?
How do publications work in the lab? When do students get first author? How often do grad students in the lab publish? Does the lab publish lots of articles (but maybe in lower impact journals) or only big findings in top journals?
What types of clinical opportunities are available? Do you feel like the clinical training is good enough to get you into the internship or career path you want? When does your clinical work begin? Is there a clinic on campus or will you need to travel to do clinical work? How is transportation to clinical sites? Do you need a car?
How much do you think this program focuses on students’ development as researchers vs. clinicians vs. teachers?
How many years does it typically take for students to graduate? Is there a max for how long you can stay?
What types of support are available to help students obtain extramural funding (e.g., NSF, NRSA)? Are most students expected to apply?
Is funding guaranteed for the time I am here? For how long is it guaranteed? Does everyone get a first year stipend? If so, how much? Are there opportunities for summer funding? Do students need to TA? Are TAships guaranteed? Is medical/dental/vision insurance included in the financial package? Financial questions are probably best to ask the current grad students about. However, if you want to play it safe, you can always ask about the financial situation after you get in.
What is it like to live here? What’s there to do for fun?
Is it possible to live comfortably on the stipend in this town?

Part II. Questions to think about:

Tell me about yourself. (Common open-ended question – how will you respond?)
Why do you care about <your research interest>?
What specific research projects would you like to undertake in your target lab? How would you design it? If you had to design your master’s project right now, what would it be?
If NIH awarded you all the money in the world, what type of study would you design?
How do you fit into your target lab?
Why did you apply to this particular program? Why is it a good match for you?
How did you get interested in clinical psychology and research? What drives your passion for clinical science?
If you love research so much, why apply for a clinical psychology program that requires hundreds of hours of clinical training? Why not apply for a purely research program?
How do you feel about clinical work? (Be ready to talk about any clinical experiences.)
What can you do for this program (e.g., skills, knowledge, experience)? What distinguishes you from 20 other people who have the same GPA/test scores and can do the same tasks?
What do you want to gain in graduate school?
Be prepared to talk about each individual research experience you included in your CV.
Be prepared to explain any of your major research projects (e.g., senior thesis, publication, poster presentation, etc.), especially the methods, results, and implications.
What are you working on right now? (i.e., current research projects?)
What do you look for in a graduate program?
If you get multiple offers, how will you pick?
What do you think will be the most difficult aspect of being a doctoral student?
What are your long-term career goals? Why?
How do you feel about giving up a paying job for several years?
What other profession, if not psychology, would you have chosen?
How do you feel about the direction this profession is heading?
How do you work under pressure? How do you handle stress?
If you took time off: Why did you take time off?
If you didn’t take time off (or took very little): Most people take 2-4 years off before PhD programs in clinical psychology – why do you think you are ready?
What would you do if you committed to work with a professor, and after 2 weeks, found it impossible to continue?
What other schools have you applied to?
Be prepared to talk about things that show you have a life outside of this interview (e.g., hobbies, favorite books, interests, etc.). If you don’t, just pretend.

Unlike many different career paths that have several points of entry, psychology has only one. If you wish to practice psychology in a defined clinical setting, you will have to earn a psychology degree. When you enter this professional path, you need to attend interviews to get a job in this profession. Certain questions are sure to be asked in the interviews for a clinical psychologist position. Following are some of those questions, along with tips on how you can answer them and a sample answer of each.

1. Why Are You Interested in This Role?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know about your interest in this role.

Tip 2: Relate a personal experience including why you wish to be a clinical psychologist.

Sample Answer: I had a great experience with a therapist when I was young. Back when my family was going through a rough patch in life and loss of a close relative, I experienced post-traumatic stress syndrome. This started affecting my family’s life and me. I found a therapist who helped me quite effectively. That was when I decided that I wanted to do the same thing as my profession. I hate seeing people struggle with their mental illnesses caused by external forces. Hence, I started in this career that has led me to this role.

2. What Are the Roles of a Clinical Psychologist?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to see if you have a good understanding of this field.

Tip 2: Mention the roles that you are good at.

Sample Answer: A clinical psychologist is responsible for a varied set of roles. He is assigned first to identify emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. He must diagnose emotional, psychological, and behavioral disorders. This is followed by developing and implementing treatment plans, and the therapeutic process. He also keeps a check on the patient and his/her improvement records.

3. What Are the Qualities That a Clinical Psychologist Should Possess to Be Effective?

Tip 1: Talk about the qualities you think will be beneficial for the organization.

Tip 2: Mention those qualities that you currently possess.

Sample Answer: A clinical psychologist must possess a few qualities, such as those given below:

–Strong problem-solving skills

– Excellent listening and communication skills

– Firm grasp of scientific techniques being practiced in Clinical Psychology

–Strong interest in science and health care

– Motivational skills

– Patience and empathy

4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Handle It?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know if you are experienced enough to handle this role.

Tip 2: Mention that challenges help you improve.

Sample Answer: This role demands patience and deserves to be handled with care. I am highly caring towards my patients, but things were not so smooth when I first started. I had to face a few obstacles that put me in a challenging position. These obstacles were compassion fatigue, professional isolation, and balancing professional and personal life. It is important to be practiced enough that you can study your patients fast and efficiently.

5. Describe Your Daily Routine as a Clinical Psychologist.

Tip 1: The interviewer wants you to describe your typical day as a clinical psychologist.

Tip 2: Briefly explain all the things you did on a highly productive day.

Sample Answer: A typical day for me as a clinical psychologist included counseling individuals and dealing with problems such as substance abuse, anxiety, and family situations. I helped them modify their behavior or improve their social, personal, or vocational adjustment. I had to write reports on my clients and maintain the paperwork that is required.

6. Briefly Describe Your Experience as a Clinical Psychologist.

Tip 1: Mention the difficulties you faced in this role.

Tip 2: Highlight your skills.

Sample Answer: Being a clinical psychologist, I dealt with many extreme cases. I had to meet certain requirements of my patients to keep their treatment going well. My experience as a clinical psychologist was quite delightful as it helped me stay connected with the different lives my patients were living. I love this role and plan to keep on doing it for a long time.

7. What Strategies and Mindset Is Required for This Role? Explain with Examples.

Tip 1: Discuss your methods for how you deal with your patients.

Tip 2: Mention the strategies you have implemented during your role as a clinical psychologist.

Sample Answer: As a clinical psychologist, I have to deal with many people who struggled with mental health issues. I am working as someone who gives counseling or clinical services to measure and heal mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. I use the science of psychology to deal with and treat complex human mental issues and to bring in change. I help my patients learn practicing resilience and find their strengths.

8. What Is the Biggest Challenge That You Foresee in This Job?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to hear about challenges you have faced in this role.

Tip 2: Highlight the challenges you think you will be facing in the new role.

Sample Answer: A clinical psychologist has to deal with many things that may not be controllable by any means. Mental health issues are dealt with in care and time. I believe if I don’t have the time or ability to deal with my patients’ mental health issues, then I won’t be able to treat his condition. This is the challenge I believe is going to be added to this role.

9. How Do You Stay Motivated at Work?

Tip 1: Talk about how you keep going strong even on challenging days.

Tip 2: Show that your source of motivation is the challenges you face during work.

Sample Answer: I have worked in many diverse situations and honed my skills to their best. These skills only became sharp because I went through many time challenges and pressure points in my career. These challenges are the things that motivate and help keep me going strong no matter how complex it gets.

10. Describe a Time You Failed in This Role and the Lesson You Learned.

Tip 1: Briefly discuss a scenario when you failed in this role.

Tip 2: Highlight what helped you solve the situation.

Sample Answer: At one time, I had a patient who was dealing with mental health issues that weren’t very apparent on the outside. I thought I was sure of his extent of illness, but in reality, he was facing much more trauma than I thought he was. This led me to deal with his situation incorrectly, but I learned the lesson that I must always be aware and keener towards the mental health of my clients.

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11. What Are the Models of Psychology That You Are Familiar With?

Tip 1: Answer this question using details from your experience in the role.

Tip 2: The interviewer wants to know if you are well trained for this role.

Sample Answer: Clinical psychologists are used to sticking to one main model in practice. I am familiar with behavioral, psychodynamic, cognitive, and biological practices. These practices will work well with most clients.

12. Which Disorders Have You Dealt With Most and What Results Have You Obtained?

Tip 1: The interviewer is comparing your experience to the needs of the organization.

Tip 2: Mention the disorders that you know they deal with most.

Sample Answer: I have worked with many disorders throughout my career as a clinical psychologist. The one I have worked on the most is anxiety and depression. Most of my clients were aged 20 to 30. I know anxiety and depression well and understand its solutions. I have seen people with childhood issues or who are in a phase of constant change falling in this state the most.

13. What Nonverbal Cues Do You Look For During a Counseling Session?

Tip 1: List the various cues you look for.

Tip 2: Use your experience to answer this question.

Sample Answer: As a clinical psychologist, I must always notice the slight signs that a patient shows during a session. Nonverbal cues are highly important for me in understanding the state of mind in which my patient is operating. I note such cues and respond to them as needed.

14. What Types of Counseling Sessions Do You Feel Most Comfortable with While Working with Your Patients?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know how you work within your role.

Tip 2: Highlight the kinds of sessions you feel most comfortable in.

Sample Answer: I have been indifferent to and equally comfortable with most types of counseling sessions. In particular, I have counseled individual therapy sessions with adults and children. I have also worked with people that are over the age of 20, mostly in individual sessions. I feel most comfortable in these settings.

15. What Experience Do You Have Working on the MDT?

Tip 1: Talk about the experiences you have gained.

Tip 2: Be explicit while answering this question.

Sample Answer: I always appreciate working in teams. I think it helps people learn and grow while improving skills learned from the team members. You can practice a skill that each one of you has to offer, so I would say working in MDT was great for me.

16. Did You Resolve a Challenging Case?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know how well you perform in challenging situations.

Tip 2: Explain how you are able to solve difficult cases with your abilities.

Sample Answer: Working in this job role was often challenging and rarely easy. You deal with different cases, and all of them bring something new to the table. Understanding the stories and finding a solution for every patient is something that I find challenging, and I enjoy the process. At one time, I had a patient who wouldn’t open up to me. It was difficult for her to let her emotions out as she was stuck too deep inside her shell. I told her that she was fine and her problem would be solved with our sessions. I used my skills of problem solving and finally brought her out of her shell after many months.

17. What Is CBT?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know what knowledge you have for this role.

Tip 2: Show that you are comfortable answering this question.

Sample Answer: CBT is cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychological treatment. It has been seen to be effective for many problems including anxiety, depression, and drug and alcohol abuse.

18. How Do You Perform Under Pressure?

Tip 1: Answer this question using your experience.

Tip 2: Mention a time when you worked well under pressure.

Sample Answer: I believe that working in a variety of surroundings is important if one wants to excel in the area of professionalism. I have been in situations where I had to work under pressure, and this experience helped me improve my skills in clinical psychology.

19. What Good Decisions Have You Made In This Role?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know about the knowledge you have for this role.

Tip 2: Give an example of an important decision you made.

Sample Answer: I have been proactive in giving suggestions where I feel appropriate. I once suggested that there must be proper method for listening to the patients and helped with solutions. This helped many patients open up to the psychologists. Because of this, many people have opened up and helped me gain an insight into their lives.

20. What Is Your Dissertation Topic?

Tip 1: The interviewer wants to know about the detailed knowledge you have for this role.

Tip 2: Talk about your dissertation in detail to show your level of expertise.

Sample Answer: I selected a topic that I found very interesting. The dissertation took several months to complete because I did not want to be too vague or too narrow in the topic. I carried out a significant amount of research for my dissertation. I asked for advice from my seniors and was able to earn a top score.

Conclusion

These are a few questions that you should prepare before going into an interview for a clinical psychologist. There are many ways you can consider these answers according to your experiences. The feeling of the meeting and the results of your interview will be based on your ability to fully answer these questions.