Use this checklist to prepare for your counselling placement interview. Covers what to do before, the most likely questions, smart questions to ask the provider, and what to do after.
Before the interview
Read the provider's website front-to-back — note the client groups, modality, and who runs it
Confirm whether supervision is provided in-house
Have student insurance and enhanced DBS in hand (or in progress)
Plan your route — give yourself 20 minutes' buffer
Print 2 copies of your CV and any course reference letter
Bring photo ID and your DBS certificate
Likely interview questions
Tell me about yourself and why you chose counselling.
Why are you applying for a placement with us specifically?
What modality are you training in and how does it suit our client group?
Walk me through how you'd handle a first session with a new client.
How do you manage your own self-care and prevent burnout?
How do you handle confidentiality, especially with safeguarding limits?
What would you do if a client disclosed risk to themselves or others?
How do you take supervision feedback that challenges your work?
What are your strengths and growth-edges as a trainee?
Tell me about your personal therapy and what you've learned from it.
Questions to ask the provider
What does a typical week look like for a placement counsellor here?
How are clients allocated, and how complex are the presentations?
What supervision is provided — group, 1:1, frequency, who supervises?
What's the minimum hours commitment, and is there flexibility around training?
What safeguarding and risk-management protocol do you follow?
After the interview
Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours, referencing one specific thing from the conversation.
Write a 5-minute reflection in your journal — what went well, what surprised you, what you'd do differently.
Mention the interview to your tutor or supervisor, especially if anything raised a question for you.
If offered, ask for 24–48 hours to decide and discuss with your supervisor before accepting.