Psychology Interview Questions

The goal for a successful interview for Psychology is to thoroughly evaluate the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and practical experience in the field, in order to determine their expertise and suitability for the role.

Situational interview questions

• In a therapy session, a client expresses feelings of anxiety and fear about attending social events. How would you approach helping this client overcome their fears?
• A patient presents with symptoms of depression, but they are hesitant to take medication. How would you collaborate with them to find alternative treatment options?
• As a school psychologist, you notice that a student is struggling academically and socially. How would you work with the student, their teachers, and their parents to address their needs?
• A client reports experiencing vivid and distressing nightmares related to a past trauma. How would you help this client cope with their symptoms and process their trauma?
• An organization approaches you to design a mental health program for their employees. How would you assess their needs and create an effective program that addresses their unique challenges?

Soft skills interview questions

• How do you handle difficult or challenging situations with clients or patients, and what strategies do you use to de-escalate tense situations?
• Can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a team or group of professionals to achieve a common goal, and what was your role in the success of this project or initiative?
• How do you approach communication with patients or clients that may have different backgrounds or cultures than your own, and what steps do you take to ensure effective communication and understanding?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to use your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to come up with an innovative solution to a complex issue or challenge facing a client or patient?
• How would you describe your ability to empathize with others, and what strategies do you use to ensure that you are truly connecting with your patients or clients on a personal and emotional level?

Role-specific interview questions

• Can you explain the concept of cognitive dissonance and give an example of it in action?
• In the field of counseling, what are some common therapeutic techniques used for treating anxiety and depression?
• What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning and how are they applied in real-world situations?
• How has the advancements in neuroscience impacted our understanding of mental illness and psychological disorders?
• Can you discuss the ethics behind conducting research on human subjects in the field of psychology?

STAR interview questions

1. Can you describe a challenging situation you faced in your psychology studies or work? What was your task in that situation, and what actions did you take to address it? What were the results of your actions in that situation?

2. Have you ever worked with a patient who presented a particularly complex or unique challenge? What was the situation surrounding that patient, and what steps did you take to address their needs? What was the outcome of your work with that patient?

3. In your experience as a psychologist, have you ever worked with a team on a particularly demanding project or research study? What was your specific role in that team, and what actions did you take to contribute to the overall success of the project? What were the outcomes of your work on that project?

4. Can you describe a time when you encountered a patient who was resistant or skeptical about your approach to treatment? What was your task in that situation, and what steps did you take to build rapport with that patient and earn their trust? What were the results of your actions?

5. Have you ever encountered a patient who needed to make a major life change in order to improve their mental health? What was their situation, and what tasks did you help them set and work towards? What actions did you take to support them in achieving their goals, and what were the results of your work together?