Mental Health Tech Interview Questions

Why are you interested in working as a mental health technician?

*I’m interested in this role because I plan to go to graduate school in the future with the hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist. My psychology background has given me a foundation in understanding behavior and mental health, but I’m eager to gain hands-on experience in patient care and treatment settings. I’m especially drawn to roles that combine compassion, structure, and teamwork — and this position feels like a great fit for that.

What do you think are the most important qualities for someone in this role?

How would you handle a patient refusing to take medication or participate in treatment?

I would ask the patient why they don’t want to take the medication, explain to them why they should take it, and tell them the side effects of them not taking it. If they still choose not to take it, I will respect their decision and autonomy. This would help to build rapport and trust.

What would you do if a patient disclosed something very personal or troubling to you?

How would you build rapport with a patient who is withdrawn or nonverbal?

How would you respond if a patient became aggressive or attempted to harm themselves?

I would first make sure the situation is safe — for the patient, myself, and others nearby. Then I’d use de-escalation techniques like speaking in a calm tone, giving space, and acknowledging their feelings without arguing. I’d also follow the facility’s safety procedures and alert clinical staff if needed. My focus would be on helping the patient regain a sense of control while ensuring safety is maintained.

If you were required to physically restrain a patient, how would you ensure safety for everyone involved?

What are some signs that a client may be experiencing a mental health crisis?

Signs may include sudden mood swings, increased agitation or withdrawal, talking about self-harm, or expressing feelings of hopelessness. Additionally, changes in behavior or appearance may indicate a crisis.

What do you understand the role of a Mental Health Technician to be?

The role of a Mental Health Technician involves supporting patients with mental health disorders, monitoring their behavior, providing care and assistance, and ensuring their safety while facilitating therapeutic activities.

If a client tells you they are thinking about suicide, how would you respond?

(NOT DONE) I would respond by asking them why they

Suppose a client becomes angry and raises their voice during a session. What steps would you take to de-escalate the situation?

A client doesn’t seem engaged in their treatment plan. How might you encourage their participation?

How would you prioritize your tasks if you had multiple clients in need of attention?

(NOT DONE) I would first see which of the clients requires attention the fastest

How do you take care of yourself so that you don’t experience burnout in this field?

*I would first make sure that I’m doing things that are in my control such as getting enough rest, making sure I’m keeping my body nourished by eating the proper foods and drinking enough water. Making sure I do self-care tactics when I’m not at work to remain regulated. I would also check in with myself to see if I need a break because I’m feeling burnout or overwhelmed. Lastly, I would say to remind myself to not take work home so that I can have a healthy balance and be in the right headspace when I arrive back to work.

How do you see yourself working with other professionals like case managers, nurses, or psychiatrists?

Tell me about yourself.

Tell me about a time you took charge.

How would you handle an upset client?

Why is there a gap in your resume?

What questions do I have for them?

Where do I see myself in 5 years?

In five years I see myself with a master's degree in forensic psychology or clinical psychology with a focus in forensics and now pursuing my doctorate in the same thing. I would be doing this with the hopes of providing therapy for juveniles.

3 strengths and 3 weaknesses

Strengths:

-Organization: I like having plans and keeping things in order because it helps to lessen the chances of unpredictability. It also allows me to remain calm when things are chaotic or busy.

-Empathy: I'm very good at understanding the feelings of others and supporting them when they need advice or a listening ear.

-Responsibility: I'm a very trustworthy person and I do my best to follow through with things that are asked of me

Weaknesses:

-Lack of experience: I don't have much work experience yet, but I am willing to learn and I am a fast learner.

-Being too hard on myself: I sometimes expect myself to never make mistakes or I may expect things to go a certain way and when they don't I become my own worst critic but I am working on remembering to give myself grace and allowing my mistakes/setbacks to be a learning opportunity.

-Shyness at first: I can initially be shy when I'm around new people but with a bit of time and getting comfortable in my environment, I will open up.

Tell me about a time you worked as a team.

(NOT DONE) This summer at camp, there have been plenty of times where we worked as a team. At camp, every week the kids were able to create crafts and/or build different things like for example we did clay sculpting and we also created lava lamps. Because there are quite a bit of kids to every counselor, we would have to split duties especially if we weren’t in separate groups and had all the campers together. When doing these crafts one counselor would start preparing the tools for the kids while another would start explaining the steps to the kids. We also would walk around and help the kids who needed it. Working as a team definitely helped things run smother for the campers and the counselors and allowed us to keep their attention long enough to complete whatever activity they were doing.

How do you handle stressful or emotionally challenging situations?

When things get stressful, I make it a point to stay calm and grounded. I focus on what I can control — listening actively, following protocols, and using good judgment before reacting. For example, while being a camp counselor for children, I often had to de-escalate emotional moments by staying patient and focused on the person’s needs instead of the intensity of the situation. I’ve found that maintaining composure not only helps others feel safe but also allows me to think clearly and respond effectively.

Why do you want to work here specifically? (Research the company and mention something about the company in your answer.)

What would you do if you noticed a coworker not following proper procedures?

*If I noticed a coworker wasn’t following the proper procedure I would first make sure it wasn’t putting anyone at risk. After that I would go to them to see if they made a mistake or if it was intentional. If it wasn’t intentional I would try to tell them the proper way of how to go about the procedure. If they’re intentionally choosing not to follow proper procedures, I would then have to report it to my supervisor because it’s important to maintain integrity and protect everyone in the workplace by following policies.

Describe a time you supported someone in distress.

How do you take care of yourself after a stressful day or emotionally draining day?

Describe a time when you helped someone who was struggling emotionally or behaviorally. What did you do?

Tell me about a time you had to follow strict procedures or guidelines. How did you ensure compliance?