Psychologist / Counsellor Interview Questions

1.1The therapist role - the scope of practice, the ethical framework, and the difference between counselling and psychology

1.2Theoretical orientations - CBT, psychodynamic, humanistic, integrative, and evidence for each approach

1.3Professional registration - HCPC, BPS, BACP, BABCP, and the regulatory landscape for practitioners

1.4The therapeutic alliance - the foundation of effective therapy and how to build and maintain it

2.1Clinical assessment - gathering the information needed to understand the client and their difficulties

2.2Psychological formulation - building a shared understanding of the client difficulties and maintaining factors

2.3Risk assessment - suicide, self-harm, safeguarding, and the clinical responsibility around risk

2.4Standardised assessment tools - PHQ-9, GAD-7, and the range of validated measures used in practice

3.1CBT model - the cognitive model, the CBT formulation, and the structure of CBT treatment

3.2Cognitive techniques - identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions

3.3Behavioural techniques - exposure, behavioural activation, and behavioural experiments

3.4CBT for specific presentations - CBT for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and the protocol adaptations required

4.1Person-centred therapy - the core conditions, the non-directive approach, and Rogers theory

4.2Humanistic foundations - self-actualisation, the fully functioning person, and the humanistic worldview

4.3Motivational interviewing - the spirit, the OARS skills, and using MI to facilitate change

4.4Positive psychology approaches - strengths-based work, resilience, and post-traumatic growth

5.1Psychodynamic concepts - the unconscious, defence mechanisms, attachment, and object relations

5.2Transference and countertransference - how the therapeutic relationship mirrors early relationships and how to work with it

5.3Attachment theory in therapy - how attachment patterns affect adult relationships and the therapeutic process

5.4Relational and intersubjective approaches - the contemporary relational perspective in psychotherapy

6.1Trauma and its impact - the neuroscience, the presentations, and the wide range of trauma responses

6.2EMDR - eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing and the evidence for trauma treatment

6.3Trauma-focused CBT - the specific adaptations for working with post-traumatic presentations

6.4Complex trauma and CPTSD - the presentations, the formulation, and the phased treatment approach

7.1Depression - assessment, formulation, and evidence-based approaches to treating depression

7.2Anxiety disorders - GAD, panic, social anxiety, OCD, and the specific treatment protocols

7.3Eating disorders - the NICE guidance, the assessment, and the challenges of working with eating difficulties

7.4Psychosis and severe mental illness - the clinical psychologist role in working with severe and enduring conditions

8.1Child and adolescent development - how developmental stage affects presentation and treatment

8.2Working with children - play therapy, creative approaches, and age-appropriate interventions

8.3Working with families - systemic approaches, family therapy, and involving parents in child therapy

8.4CAMHS and tier structure - how child and adolescent mental health services are organised

9.1Professional ethics - confidentiality, boundaries, dual relationships, and the ethical codes that govern practice

9.2Safeguarding duties - when to break confidentiality, how to make referrals, and managing safeguarding concerns

9.3Supervision - the clinical, professional, and ethical importance of ongoing supervision

9.4CPD and continuing competence - the professional obligation to maintain and develop clinical skills

10.1Clinical questions - formulation, treatment approaches, risk assessment, and working with specific presentations

10.2Values and ethics questions - professional standards, ethical dilemmas, and managing boundaries

10.3Reflective practice questions - what you have learned from clinical experience and how you develop your practice

10.4Salary negotiation, evaluating a clinical role, and questions that reveal the supervision quality, caseload, and professional development opportunities in the service