PHQ-9
PHQ-9 is a widely used questionnaire that helps mental health professionals screen for and monitor depression in patients. It's a simple but powerful tool containing 9 questions that patients answer about how they've been feeling over the past two weeks. Think of it like a standardized checklist that helps counselors understand how severe someone's depression symptoms might be. It's similar to other tools like the Beck Depression Inventory or GAD-7, but PHQ-9 is particularly popular because it's free to use, quick to complete, and easy to understand. When you see this on a resume, it means the candidate has experience using standardized assessment tools in mental health settings.
Examples in Resumes
Administered and interpreted PHQ-9 assessments for over 200 clients annually
Utilized PHQ-9 and other screening tools to track client progress in treatment
Incorporated PHQ-9 results into comprehensive treatment planning and documentation
Typical job title: "Mental Health Counselors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Mental Health Counselors
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you integrate PHQ-9 results into treatment planning and progress monitoring?
Expected Answer: A senior clinician should explain how they use baseline scores to inform initial treatment approaches, track scores over time to measure progress, and adjust treatment plans based on changing scores. They should also mention how they combine PHQ-9 with other assessment tools and clinical observations.
Q: How do you train junior staff in proper administration and interpretation of PHQ-9?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating training protocols, ensuring consistent administration, teaching proper documentation, and helping staff understand when additional assessment may be needed beyond PHQ-9 scores.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What steps do you take when a client's PHQ-9 score indicates severe depression?
Expected Answer: Should describe their risk assessment process, when to refer to higher levels of care, documentation procedures, and how they communicate with other healthcare providers while maintaining confidentiality.
Q: How do you explain PHQ-9 results to clients in a way they can understand?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to translate clinical information into plain language, discuss how they use scores to show progress, and explain how they handle questions about the assessment.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain what the PHQ-9 measures and how it's scored?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that it's a 9-question depression screening tool, describe the basic scoring system (0-27 range), and identify the main categories of depression severity.
Q: When would you typically administer the PHQ-9 in your practice?
Expected Answer: Should mention using it during initial assessments, regular intervals during treatment, and when monitoring for changes in depression symptoms.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic administration of PHQ-9
- Score calculation and documentation
- Understanding depression symptoms
- Following protocols for high-risk scores
Mid (2-5 years)
- Clinical interpretation of scores
- Treatment planning based on results
- Progress monitoring using PHQ-9
- Risk assessment and management
Senior (5+ years)
- Training others in PHQ-9 use
- Program development and evaluation
- Research and outcomes tracking
- Complex case management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unfamiliarity with basic scoring system
- Inability to explain when to use PHQ-9
- Lack of knowledge about risk assessment protocols
- No experience with documentation requirements
Related Terms
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