Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you:
But in the last few rounds of some job interviews, like for very analytical or technical jobs, you might be asked questions that are nothing but brain teasers. These questions aren’t meant to find out more about your past jobs or see if you’ll fit in with the company culture. They check a lot of different skills, like math, logic, creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to work well under pressure. And many times, your answer is actually irrelevant—it’s how you reached that answer that matters.
So, to help you get better at solving problems, we’ve put together a list of the seven most common types of questions you might see, along with some real-life examples. As you read through them and feel stressed about how you could never (ever) answer them, remember that it’s all about how you think. Instead of asking how you would fight a bear, hiring managers are more interested in how well you can solve problems.
Cerebral is a leading online mental health platform that provides access to licensed therapists, psychiatric care and prescription medications. With its mission to improve mental healthcare access, Cerebral has been growing rapidly.
As such, many people are interested in joining the Cerebral team especially as Care Counselors and Therapists. The interview process can seem daunting. However, being prepared with thoughtful responses to common questions can help you stand out.
Below are the top 25 Cerebral CA interview questions and sample answers to help you ace your upcoming interview:
1. Why are you interested in working at Cerebral?
This question gauges your understanding of Cerebral’s mission and how aligned you are with the company’s goals. The interviewer wants to know what draws you specifically to Cerebral.
Sample Answer: I am deeply passionate about expanding mental health access and improving outcomes. Cerebral’s innovative care model and commitment to making care affordable and convenient resonates with me. I would be excited to join a team that is disrupting the status quo in mental healthcare.
2. What appeals to you about being a Care Counselor/Therapist at Cerebral?
With this question, the interviewer wants to assess your interest in the specific role you are applying for. It helps reveal your motivations and fit for the position.
Sample Answer: As a Care Counselor/Therapist, I would appreciate the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with clients and help them work towards their goals. Cerebral’s model enables providers to devote focused time to each client. This fosters trust and enables personalized care, which I value immensely. I’m also drawn to the ability to balance flexibility with structure.
3. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in mental health?
Cerebral prides itself on using proven approaches and cutting-edge tools to deliver high quality care. This question reveals whether you are continuously enhancing your skills and industry knowledge.
Sample Answer: I make a point to regularly review scholarly journals, publications from entities such as the APA, and follow thought leaders on social media. I also leverage continuing education resources such as courses and seminars. These activities allow me to expand my expertise and apply the latest evidence-based techniques.
4. How would you handle a patient expressing suicidal thoughts?
Patient safety is paramount. This question reveals your clinical judgement, crisis management skills, and ability to act decisively in high-risk scenarios.
Sample Answer: Expressions of suicidal intent warrant immediate attention. I would listen empathetically, then directly ask about plans and means to gauge severity. If risk is high, I would collaborate with the treatment team to enact safety precautions like emergency intervention. My top priority is keeping the patient safe while addressing the underlying issues.
5. How do you typically build rapport with new clients?
Building trust is key to effective counseling relationships. This question provides insight into your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
Sample Answer: I build rapport by cultivating an open, non-judgemental environment. I actively listen to understand my client’s situations on a deeper level. I also establish clear expectations about our roles, the counseling process, and client rights like confidentiality. Checking in regularly helps me adapt my approach as needed. Most importantly, I convey genuine care for each client.
6. Describe your counseling style. How do you interact with clients?
With this question, the interviewer seeks to understand your values and see if your counseling approach aligns with Cerebral’s standards and culture.
Sample Answer: My style is client-centered. I interact with warmth, empathy and humility. Counseling is always a collaborative partnership between myself and the client. I aim to empower individuals and provide a safe space for open dialogue. While directing the conversation, I ensure clients feel heard by actively listening and validating their perspectives. My goal is guiding clients towards realizing their own potential.
7. How do you handle situations where you become emotionally triggered or experience compassion fatigue?
This helps assess your self-awareness, professional boundaries, and capacity to avoid burnout.
Sample Answer: I lean on mindfulness practices, self-care routines, and peer support networks. When difficult emotions arise, I document my feelings privately to process them. I regain perspective by reminding myself of the purpose behind my work. If fatigue sets in over time, I re-energize by taking some personal time off. The wellbeing of both my clients and myself is vital.
8. What telehealth platforms or tools are you experienced with?
As Cerebral delivers care virtually, familiarity with telehealth technology is crucial. This reveals your comfort with online platforms and ability to effectively engage clients remotely.
Sample Answer: I have used practice management systems like SimplePractice, and teleconferencing tools such as Zoom and Doxy.me. I am proficient in employing screensharing, digital whiteboards, questionnaires, and other interactive features. These allow me to enrich the remote counseling experience. I look forward to leveraging Cerebral’s technology to maximize care quality.
9. How do you stay organized while managing your caseload and administrative work?
Juggling care duties along with documentation requires stellar organization. This question tests your workflow and time management abilities.
Sample Answer: I use tools like calendars, task lists and client records to stay on top of my responsibilities. I chunk higher-level tasks into manageable steps to avoid being overwhelmed. I check in daily to review and prioritize what needs addressing. If I ever feel overloaded, I reach out to my supervisor promptly. My system ensures I complete all clinical and administrative work efficiently.
10. Why do you think the Cerebral model works for patients compared to traditional approaches?
This reveals your depth of knowledge about Cerebral’s care model and value proposition to patients. The interviewer seeks to gauge your interest in the company and critical thinking skills.
Sample Answer: Cerebral makes care radically convenient through virtual access and streamlined visits. The combination of counseling, medication management, coaching and community support caters to the whole patient. Automated check-ins and outcome tracking enable precision care. These innovations address major gaps – like access constraints or care fragmentation – that plague traditional models. Overall, Cerebral delivers a personalized, proactive experience.
11. How would you support a patient who is expressing doubts or uncertainty about their treatment plan?
The question tests your clinical acumen, empathy and ability to motivate patients.
Sample Answer: I would first seek to understand their concerns non-judgmentally through active listening. I would then have an open discussion about treatment rationales, goals, options and realistic timelines. I aim to make patients feel heard and provide education gently. If doubts persist, I review the treatment plan collaboratively and adjust as needed per the patient’s comfort level. My priority is fostering patient empowerment and trust.
12. How do you ensure you are providing care that is sensitive to a diverse patient population?
Cultural competence and inclusivity are vital for Cerebral. This assesses your understanding of diversity issues and ability to provide appropriate care.
Sample Answer: I complete regular bias and sensitivity training to check my own assumptions. I tailor care based on each patient’s cultural background and preferences. I educate myself on the mental health needs of marginalized groups. During visits, I create a welcoming environment where patients feel safe sharing their identity and experiences. I also leverage interpreter services as required. Ultimately, I aim to uplift diverse perspectives and deliver care that resonates with each patient.
13. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a patient. Why was this important?
This question reveals your dedication to patient satisfaction and willingness to exceed expectations when needed. It provides a glimpse into your values.
Sample Answer: I once spent extra time outside a session helping a client apply for social assistance. Without financial aid, affording treatment would be highly difficult for them. While paperwork was outside my core responsibilities, securing access to care was essential. No patient should be denied vital mental health support due to socioeconomic barriers. Advocating in this instance upheld my commitment to improving lives.
14. How do you motivate patients to complete homework assignments or tasks between sessions?
This highlights your skills in encouraging patient accountability and boosting their engagement in treatment.
Sample Answer: I present assignments positively, explaining how applied practice builds skills critical for growth. I relate tasks directly to each patient’s goals so their purpose resonates. During visits, I review progress and exchange feedback to reinforce lessons. For patients struggling with follow-through, I problem solve obstacles collaboratively. My aim is fostering self-efficacy and shared responsibility for driving progress.
15. Tell me about a time you faced a conflict with a coworker. How did you handle it?
This question assesses your working style, attitude towards constructive feedback, and ability to resolve interpersonal challenges maturely.
Sample Answer: When a teammate and I had clashing work styles on a project, I proactively invited them to a 1-on-1 meeting. We had an open dialogue where I asked for their perspective and shared my own diplomatically. To move forward, we defined norms around communication, collaboration and responsibilities. Establishing mutual understanding diffused the conflict. I value addressing issues early before they escalate.
16. Why is confidentiality important in mental healthcare? How would you ensure patient privacy?
This
The “Do Some Quick Math” Question
In case your brain needed a really fast workout:
The “How Many [Things] Are There in [Location]?” Question
On the slight chance that your brain doubles as Google:
How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions Sample Answers
FAQ
What are the 3 C’s of interview questions?
What questions do they ask in a mental health interview?
