In these stressful days that we all face on daily basis, we are all in need of psychological help. A good job or achievements or your social status does not mean that you are mentally healthy. One may need help at any point in their lives. If you are planning to join the field as your career, you have found the right article to help you prepare for the interview. Before we tell you about the job and the challenges, we have shared Top 25 Psychologist Interview Questions and Answers that will be will helpful.
1. How Do You Stay Motivated In This Role?
Dealing with the mental issues of your patients can become overwhelming at times. To stay motivated in my career, I always make sure that I have a healthy lifestyle routine that includes regular exercise outdoor in the sunshine and fresh air. At times when I feel that I may feel burnout, I start regular meditation in form of yoga. This surely helps me a lot on difficult days.
2. Why Did You Choose This Career?
I chose this career because of my father who suffered from post-traumatic stress. He was in the US-Afghan War and served at the Kabul base. He was released from the army due to his condition. Due to his condition, our whole family suffered but then his therapy started and his condition started improving. We would have group sessions with him and he would have separate sessions too and it worked well for him. I saw therapy working so powerfully that I fell in love with this career. That’s why I joined this field with my primary focus on child psychology.
3. Are You Aware Of Privacy Ethics In This Field?
As a psychologist, it is one of the utmost duties as a therapist to make sure safe space is provided to all patients who are coming to. For all patients, some laws protect their privacy. There are a few conditions in which a psychologist can share private information without consent. The major reason is to protect the patient and also avoid any serious damage to the public. For example, if during therapy my patient mentions his plans to attempt suicide or harm any other person; I can disclose this information to required authorities. In a few cases where there are signs of abuse and violence, I have the right to report it too.
4. What Are Your Strengths That Can Be Beneficial In This Job?
I am great at problem-solving and also have great communication skills. I always make sure that I have an inviting personality during therapies so that my patients can easily talk to me and pour their hearts out. If my patient is having anger issues and starts misbehaving during the session due to aggression, I always make sure that I deal with all patients with patience and empathy. I remind them that I am here to help them and I am here to listen to them whatever they feel like talking about.
5. Which Disorders Have You Dealt With Most In The Past One Year And How Did You Help?
Due to covid regulations by the government, it wasn’t possible to hold in-person sessions so I opted for video therapy sessions for all my patients. At first, people were not very comfortable in using online help for their mental but slowly, as they saw progress and my consistent behaviour, my patients responded well.
As you know past 2 years have been tough for everyone due to the pandemic. People lost their loved ones in Covid. A few common disorders were anxiety and panic attacks due to lockdown situations all across the globe. Many people suffered from their relationships at home and a few also lost their jobs. Due to covid regulations by the government, it wasn’t possible to hold in-person sessions so I opted for video therapy sessions for all my patients. At first, people were not very comfortable in using online help for their mental but slowly, as they saw progress and my consistent behaviour, my patients responded well.
6. What Is Your Greatest Strength In This Role?
Over the period, I have developed a great skill for conducting group therapies with families and others. In my early career, I worked very closely with a school psychologist and later became one too that helped the negative emotional issues of kids that affected their social interaction. I used to work directly with children, teachers, parents or guardians and school administration. In a few cases, I would hold group therapies to solve an issue at school and it would turn out great for the child.
7. Do You Prefer To Work Independently Or Do You Thrive In A Team Environment?
I do not have any preferences. I have performed well with my patients and my teams in both situations. I believe that interaction with teams is beneficial for all because you get to learn from each other in several cases.
8. What Is The Difference Between Clinical And Counselling Psychologists?
The major difference between the two fields is in the sort of problems you’ll be required to deal with. As the name suggests, a clinical psychologist is required to deal with problems that are more serious i.e. ‘clinical’. They will diagnose and treat people who are suffering from mental disorders like various personality disorders. On the other hand, a counselling psychologist is more likely to work in the behavioural side of psychology where you are trying to change behaviour patterns for your patients to improve their lives in some way. So maybe you would be helping someone overcome an addiction, or perhaps you’ll help couples who are struggling with their relationship.
9. What Is The Difference Between A Psychologist And A Psychiatrist?
The simple difference between the two is that a psychiatrist is a qualified medical doctor, while a psychologist is not. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications, while a psychologist must refer their patients to a psychiatrist if they feel medication is required.
10. What Are The Few Duties Of School Psychologists Today?
School psychologists work in elementary or secondary schools. The goal of any school psychologist is to ensure the best educational experience and open up as many opportunities as possible for each student. On a typical day, their duties may include any of the following:
- Administering school-related psychological tests
- Counselling individual students on various issues
- Helping teachers plan special education classes
- Meeting with parents and teachers to resolve in-class student problems
- Referring students to the proper services and authorities when necessary
- Working with special education students
11. What Are The Few Specific Treatments That Are Offered Only By Clinical Psychologists?
Since the main duty is to reduce the distress and improve the psychological condition of patients. Clinical psychologists have their unique ways to find the causes of mental distress and applying the means to bring positive changes to the patients’ lives. They generally offer treatments for:
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Neurological disorders
- Addictive behaviours
- Personal, professional, or familial relationship problems
- Eating disorders
- Learning disabilities; and many more
12. What Are The Typical Duties Of A Clinical Psychologist In The Healthcare Sector?
The duties may vary from case to case, few general duties include:
- Using psychometric tests, observation of behaviours, interviews, etc. to assess patients’ behaviour, abilities, and needs.
- Be creative to devise and monitor perfect programs for therapy and counselling in collaboration with colleagues.
- Developing and weighing up the provision of service for patients.
- Acting as counsellors and supporting caregivers.
- Carrying out practical research to add to the evidence base of practice in various settings of healthcare sectors.
- More experienced professionals may keep detailed paperwork about patients to track their progress.
13. Do Child Psychologists Only Practice At Schools? If Not, What Are Their Duties In A Hospital?
The school sector has a School Psychologist to deal with the mental health of kids at school and is a further branch of Child Psychology. Child psychologists are the ones who deal with the mental, emotional and social development of children. Starting from prenatal till puberty, a child psychologist observes it all. The general duty of child psychologists includes:
- Treating and diagnosing learning or developmental disabilities,
- Manage behavioural issues,
- Administering psychological issues,
- Conducting scientific research and
- Working with a health care team to create a treatment plan for a client.
14. What Types Of Psychological Tests Are There And What Can Be Measured?
- Personality tests- Measure behaviours, emotions, attitude, and behavioural and environmental characteristics
- Achievement tests- Measure respondents’ intellectual interests, achievements, and cognitive abilities
- Attitude tests- Measure views of respondents based on how much they agree or disagree with a statement
- Aptitude tests – Measure capabilities, skill sets, and projection of future success
- Emotional Intelligence tests- Measure emotional responses such as anger, sadness, happiness, and impulsivity
- Intelligence tests- Measure mental/developmental learning disabilities
- Neuropsychological tests- Measure cognitive abilities like memory, language, and executive functioning
- Projective tests- Measure feedback from external influences to identify unrealized emotions/conflicts
- Observation tests- Measure immediate observable behaviour; performed in a laboratory, clinical, or natural setting
15. What Is Bibliotherapy? What Is Its Type?
Bibliotherapy is also known as book therapy. Any form of literature can be used in it even magazines, poetry, quotes, blogs and research papers even! It has 2 categories:
- Clinical: using literature as a means of creating cognitive change related to psychological needs and therapeutic goals
- Developmental: informational materials used by both medical professionals and other educators to help assist with natural life transitions, such as puberty
16. What Are The Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder?
The symptom may vary from age to age since they are very common in kids, teens and young adults. A few common symptoms are:
- Endless energy
- Talking very quickly
- Racing thoughts
- Seeming or feeling easily distracted
- Intense irritability or acting aggressively
17. Are Depression Symptoms And Bipolar Disorder Symptoms The Same? What Are Their Symptoms In A Young Child Of 18 Years Old?
Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose because it often looks like depression. Symptoms are particularly similar if you have bipolar II disorder. The common feelings experienced by patients include hopelessness, guilt and exhaustion. During the bipolar episode, one may experience negative thoughts and also thoughts of suicide.
18. What Is The Most Common Myth You Have Come Across During Your Experience As A Psychologist?
I have heard so many myths during the therapy sessions that I feel amazed that why people still think like this. One of the most common myths is that all therapies are the same and it’s like an expensive venting session. I always used to tell my patients that patients assume that if one kind of therapy is not working for them, the treatment isn’t effective. With a few trials and focus to get better, one can easily find a type of therapy that will work for them.
19. What Is Psychodynamic Therapy And What Are The Types?
In this therapy, a patient investigates the reason for his thoughts and actions by focusing on the factor why. Patients are given assignments in between their sessions. 4 types of this therapy include:
- Brief psychodynamic therapy: A patient sees his therapist twice a week for a certain period like 6 months.
- Dynamic interpersonal therapy: It has 16 sessions where a patient learns about symptoms in regards to behaviour patterns in their relationship. It was developed to treat mood disorders in public healthcare.
- Art and music therapies: With such therapy, art and music aid in easing the difficult thoughts that are blocking the thought process of an individual.
- Long term therapy: The minimum duration is 2 years and it is always recommended to people who are suffering from anxiety, OCD and depression.
20. In Your Point Of View, Why Is Group Therapy Recommended By Psychologists?
With the major demand of having a safe space to talk about things that are bothering a patient, group therapy is recommended by all psychologists. The group may vary from 5 to 10 people in a group who all have similar mental health issues. Group therapy helps in realizing that one is not alone and many others in the same society are suffering from the same issue as them. It becomes a helpful way to take support from the group of people present there. While discussing their issues with one another under the supervision of a psychologist, does encourage the people involved to feel empowered. It is very difficult for a person to voice their thoughts under a safety net that are causing issues in one’s behaviour.
21. What Are The Different Types Of Group Therapies And What Are Their Advantages?
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy group: It helps in changing thought processes and behaviour by knowing negative patterns in one’s personality.
- Support groups: It can conduct online or in person. The sole reason is to receive support from the other members who are having the same difficulties in their lives.
- Process Groups: It offers people to share what is happening to them and has shown great results in patients suffering from anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
- Psych educational groups: With the motto of knowledge is power, it provides coping mechanisms and tips based on your mental health condition.
- Skills development groups: Psychologists introduce new skills in such session that gives a patient insight into how they can improve their mental health.
22. What Are Some Of The Signs Of Chronic Stress?
It may vary from person to person depending on their mental health condition. A few common signs and symptoms include:
- difficulty sleeping
- frequent headaches
- irritability
- brain fog
- anxiety
- depression
- physical conditions like acid reflux, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive disorders
23. In Your Experience, What Are The Common Reasons For Stress In One’s Life?
Every human being gets triggered by different life situations. Sometimes it can be as simple as road traffic that is causing you to reach late to work. We all are unique in responding to daily routine and tasks coming our way and our different thought process causes stress. A few stressful reasons can be:
- A marriage that has turned into divorce, separation or death of your spouse,
- Death of a close family member
- Injury or illness
- Being fired from a job or even retirement and
- Pregnancy or miscarriage in women
24. What Are A Few General Symptoms Of ADHD That Is Common These Days In Young Adults?
ADHD may vary from person to person depending on their social life and their age factors. In the past few years, ADHD has become very common among young adults from the age range of 18 to 25 years old. General symptoms one must look out for include:
- forgetfulness
- being easily distracted
- losing or misplacing things
- abrupt or impulsive behaviour
- lack of motivation for specific activities or in general
- difficulty organizing or completing tasks
- not being able to follow instructions
- constantly moving from one activity to another
25. What Are A Few General Symptoms Of ADHD That Is Common These Days In Young Adults?
ADHD may vary from person to person depending on their social life and their age factors. In the past few years, ADHD has become very common among young adults from the age range of 18 to 25 years old. General symptoms one must look out for include:
- forgetfulness
- being easily distracted
- losing or misplacing things
- abrupt or impulsive behaviour
- lack of motivation for specific activities or in general
- difficulty organizing or completing tasks
- not being able to follow instructions
- constantly moving from one activity to another
Conclusion
We wish you all the best for the interview as a psychologist. Be confident about the skills and experience that you are going to share with the interview board. Walk into the room with confidence and a smile and don’t forget to dress nicely. These 25 questions are surely going to help in acing the first round of interviews as a psychologist. Good luck!
