1. Can you tell us a bit about your background in psychology or related fields? What drew you to apply for this trainee position with Hammersmith and Fulham CAMHS? Can you tell us a bit about your background in psychology or related fields? What drew you to apply for this trainee position with Hammersmith and Fulham CAMHS?
2. What prior experience do you have working with children and adolescents, particularly in a mental health context? What prior experience do you have working with children and adolescents, particularly in a mental health context?
3. What do you understand by Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A), and how do you believe it addresses the needs of young people experiencing mental health difficulties? What do you understand by Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A), and how do you believe it addresses the needs of young people experiencing mental health difficulties?
4. Can you discuss a specific therapeutic approach you have learned about that you believe aligns well with IPT-A principles? Can you discuss a specific therapeutic approach you have learned about that you believe aligns well with IPT-A principles?
5. This role requires balancing academic study with practical clinical work. How do you plan to manage your time effectively between these two responsibilities? This role requires balancing academic study with practical clinical work. How do you plan to manage your time effectively between these two responsibilities?
6. Describe a situation where you had to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience? Describe a situation where you had to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience?
7. Working collaboratively is essential in this role. Can you provide an example of how you have successfully worked as part of a team in the past? Working collaboratively is essential in this role. Can you provide an example of how you have successfully worked as part of a team in the past?
8. How do you approach building rapport with young clients to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment? How do you approach building rapport with young clients to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment?
9. Effective communication is vital in this role. How would you ensure that you communicate effectively with both clients and multi-disciplinary team members? Effective communication is vital in this role. How would you ensure that you communicate effectively with both clients and multi-disciplinary team members?
10. Can you discuss a challenging conversation you have had with a client or colleague and how you handled it? Can you discuss a challenging conversation you have had with a client or colleague and how you handled it?
11. Mental health work can be emotionally demanding. How do you practice self-care and manage stress? Mental health work can be emotionally demanding. How do you practice self-care and manage stress?
12. What challenges do you anticipate facing as a trainee working with young people experiencing moderate mental health difficulties? How do you plan to address these challenges? What challenges do you anticipate facing as a trainee working with young people experiencing moderate mental health difficulties? How do you plan to address these challenges?
13. What are your long-term career aspirations in the field of child and adolescent mental health? What are your long-term career aspirations in the field of child and adolescent mental health?
14. Why do you believe that completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Young Person IAPT Therapy is important for your professional development? Why do you believe that completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Young Person IAPT Therapy is important for your professional development?
15. How do you ensure that your practice is inclusive and respects the diverse backgrounds of the young people you will be working with? How do you ensure that your practice is inclusive and respects the diverse backgrounds of the young people you will be working with?
You can answer as many of these questions as you want.
Good luck!