SCREENING QUESTIONS

These are the five questions we ask our potential clients. Screening questions are a way for us to get to understand you better. Below you will see an example of a music teacher who is seeking mentoring on death and bereavement. I have explained why Mentors ask these questions, along with example answers.

THE QUESTIONS:

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF:
- Why We Ask This Question: Mentors typically start screening interviews with questions about your background to learn more about you. Use this question to explain your work experience, what you're currently doing, and why you're a qualified candidate to get into mentoring. While you may mention personal details, focus on professional qualifications and achievements when summarizing your background.
  - Example Of An Answer: "My passion for music started as a child. My dad had a grand piano, and I enjoyed playing my favorite songs. I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a music career. So, I enrolled in a music program and earned a bachelor's degree in classical music four years ago. After my undergraduate, I worked in various music teacher positions and joined the local symphony orchestra. My work experience taught me how to teach music in a fun and engaging way, and I developed my teaching skills by engaging in volunteer work."
DESCRIBE YOURSELF
- Why We Ask This Question: Mentors ask this question to discover what makes you unique. Hold their attention by discussing your skills and character traits.
  - Example of An Answer: "I'm ambitious and driven. I like to keep track of my goals and measure my progress. Over my career, demonstrating these qualities helped me stay committed and complete tasks ahead of time. I was promoted three times in my previous role in two years."
WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR THIS SCREENING SESSION?
- Why We Ask This Question: This question helps mentors identify candidates genuinely interested in the Positive Peer Mentoring program.
  - Example of an Answer: "I applied for this position because your company's mission statement inspires me. I saw you have a program for clients experiencing loss. I have recently lost my husband, and I am seeking to mentor in addition to counseling as I feel I also need a friend and not just a professional obligation."
WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD KNOW? Such as mental illness, history of violence, medical conditions, etc
- Why We Ask This Question: this question helps mentors learn something about you that may have yet to be asked in the first three questions.
  - Example of an Answer: "I have looked into mentorship before, but it failed as I have a mental illness and was rejected due to my disability. I am a full-time employee but have P.T.S.D. and O.C.D."
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
- Why We Ask This Question: This question allows the potential client to ask the mentor any additional questions they might be unable to find.
  - Example of an Answer: "I have read your website but still am unsure about your prices. Do you offer a payment plan"?
What are some things that motivate you?
What are the kinds of things that demotivate you?
What makes you feel appreciated?
What are the ways that you like to be praised?
When was a time that you felt most valued?

When we ask questions six to ten at the front end, we can get an excellent idea of the key motivators for a person. Every person needs to be praised and celebrated, but every person has their language for praise and celebration. Knowing what triggers feelings of value and affirmation in clients helps us relate to them in ways they understand and can respond to.

MENTORING AND COACHING QUESTIONS AND AGREEMENT CONTRACTS:

Why are you interested in being Mentored?
What happened that was the last straw where you were like, "I've got to have help with this?"
What goal do you hope to achieve?
How much of a priority is achieving this goal in your life?
What kind of commitments are you willing to make to achieve this goal?
What sacrifices are you expecting to make to pursue this goal?
Give me a picture of the future so that you see if this goal was reached.
How would the world change if you achieved your goal?
What are the most significant changes you expect if you reach your goal?
What does it mean for your family for this goal to be accomplished?
What happens if you need help to achieve this goal? Where are you five years down the road?
How long are you expecting the mentorship relationship to last? One month, three months, six months, one year, or more than one year.
How often will we meet? Weekly, 2x a month, monthly, every other month?
What are our primary ways of meeting? (Phone, in person, texting.)

FIRST TIME BOOKING QUESTIONS

Name:

Phone Number:

Telegram:

City/State:

Current Age:

SESSION:

1. What would you like to get out of this session?

2. What type of session are you seeking?

Emotional Intelligence, Gratitude/Appreciation, Greif And Bereavement, Meaning, Mindfulness, Motivation: Goal Achievement, Positive Communication, Self-Compassion, Strength Finding, Stress Burnout Prevention, Touch Therapy, Valued Living

MENTAL HEALTH:

Do you have a mental health diagnosis? Yes or no
Do you have more than one diagnosis? Yes or no? If yes, please list; if no, please write N/A.
How do you feel about your diagnosis? If you do not have a diagnosis, please write N/A.
If you have a diagnosis: At what age were you diagnosed with your condition?
Do you have any other family members with this condition(s)? If yes, who (just relationship required; do not use their legal name). If none, please write N/A.
Are you currently taking any medication for your condition? If yes, please list; if no, write N/A.
What are your current coping mechanisms?
Do you have any coping mechanisms you wish you didn’t use, such as drugs, smoking, alcohol, self-harm, etc? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Can you help me understand what it’s like living in your situation?
Do you see a therapist concerning any of the diagnoses listed above?
Do you see a psychiatrist regarding any of the diagnoses listed above?
How has living with this condition shaped who you are today?
Have you ever experienced a terrible occurrence that has impacted you significantly? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Do you ever feel that you’ve been affected by feelings of edginess, anxiety, or nerves? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Have you experienced a week or more extended lower-than-usual interest in activities you usually enjoy? Examples might include work, exercise, or hobbies.
Have you ever experienced an ‘attack’ of fear, anxiety, or panic? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Do feelings of anxiety or discomfort around others bother you? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
What is your stress level like lately?
What do you need to talk about?
How can I help make you feel supported?

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Besides mental health, do you have any additional medical conditions? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A
Do you have any medications for your medical conditions? If yes, please list if no medicines are being used; please write N/A.
Do any interactions between your medication conditions interfere with you mentally? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
What does your community life look like? For example, do you have friends or peers you spend time with outside the home?
Do you have any mobility issues? If yes, do you need assisted devices such as a walker, wheelchair, cane, service dog, etc?
Tell me about your sleeping habits over the past three (3) months.
Do you wake up and fall asleep at regular times?
When you sleep, how would you describe the quality of your rest?
Have you noticed any changes in your sleep habits?
Do you have difficulty sleeping?
Do you feel restlessness?
How would you describe your appetite over the past four (4) weeks?
Have your eating habits changed in any way?

WELLBEING (AND ILL-BEING):

Could you tell me about times you’ve been bothered by low feelings, stress, or sadness over the past few months?
How frequently have you had little pleasure or interest in the activities you usually enjoy? Would you tell me more?

SELF-PERCEPTION:

Tell me about how confident you have been feeling in your capabilities recently.
Discuss how often you have felt satisfied with yourself over the past three months.

HOPE AND HOPELESSNESS:

How often have you felt the future hopeless over the past few weeks?
Can you tell me about your hopes and dreams for the future?
What feelings have you had recently about working toward those goals?

RELATIONSHIPS AND Belonging:

Describe how ‘supported’ you feel by others around you – your friends, family, or otherwise.
Let’s discuss how you have been feeling about your relationships recently.

ACTIVITY:

Tell me about your hobbies, personal interests, and likes.
Tell me about any important activities or projects you’ve been involved with recently.
How much enjoyment do you get from these?
How frequently have you been doing things that mean something to you or your life?

SELF-REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Do you need help with focusing at work or school? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Can you concentrate on the things you want to do? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Do you find pleasure in things that usually make me happy? Please explain for either yes or no answers.
Are you socializing with your friends as much as you usually do? Please explain for either yes or no answers.
Are you spending time with your family? Please explain for either yes or no answers.
Are you withdrawing or pulling away from those around you who matter? Please explain for yes or no answers.
Does it feel like you are maintaining a healthy balance between leisure, yourself, your career, physical activity, and those you care about? How about other things that matter to you? Please explain for yes or no answers.
How relaxed do you feel most of the time, out of 10? Is this the same, more, or less than usual?
How do you feel most of the time? Happy? Anxious? Satisfied? Sad?
What are your energy levels like when you finish your day? Are there any significant changes in your tiredness?
Are you having any extreme emotions or mood swings? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.

PRESENCE OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS:

Have you ever thought about whether life still makes sense? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Have you ever thought about doing something you could end your life with? – (for example, taking more tablets than prescribed/usual)? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A
Have you talked to others about these thoughts? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
How often do you have these thoughts currently? If you do not have these thoughts write N/A.
Are there times when these thoughts are powerful? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Have these thoughts become stronger lately? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.
Do you feel you can control these thoughts, or are they intrusive? If yes, please explain; if no, please write N/A.

QUESTIONS ABOUT PROTECTIVE FACTORS:

What gets you motivated to wake up every day?
Who are the most important people in your life? You do not need to provide legal names.
What are your plans for the future?
What are you looking forward to?

If you are feeling any of the above, please think about booking a session.

NOT in PA? No worries, she offers phone and video visits as well.

Use the button to see her updated calendar and book her today

When you have a Therapeutic Mentoring Session with Corinne Pulliam at Positive Peer Mentoring, she will:

Recognize her reactions to what the client is telling her.
Be non-judgmental and empathic.
Show a genuine interest in what the client is telling her.
Try to use the language of the client she is interacting with.
Validate what the client is telling her and show the client she is actively listening.
Find out what else is happening in the client's life (stress, relationship difficulties, etc.)

Book a Therapeutic Mentoring Session