What Makes a Good Mentor?
During this rewarding and challenging adventure of becoming a therapist, it can be incredibly beneficial to find mentors to guide and inspire you. There’s much to be learned from others in the profession, especially those with years of experience.
Mentors, by definition, are wise and trusted counselors. In contrast, role models are professionals that you respect and admire from afar. Mentors should be people you know and who you can talk to, preferably in person. Mentors generally play two major roles. They can offer advice about the nuts and bolts aspects of your career, and they assist with psycho-social needs such as motivating and inspiring you toward your next milestone or goal.
A mentor may be your supervisor, a professor, your therapist (beware the dual relationships here), or a classmate or friend who is a few steps ahead of you on the career path and doing well.
As you seek mentors, look for people with whom you can be honest about who you are and what you need from your job. Your mentors should be nonjudgmental and help keep you focused on career targets. Hopefully, they will also talk you through pressing clinical problems when they arise.
Ideally, your mentors can also show you what it looks like to reach your goal of private practice. They will encourage you and show you that it is possible to have fulfilling work as a therapist, earn a good living and have a balanced life, too.
The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi is a great example of an excellent mentor.
There will always be naysayers who complain about the challenges of private practice, the woes of insurance billing, the nuisance of client cancellations and so on. This might be the wrong kind of influence at this stage in your career. Seek mentors who love their practices and ask them for reassurance and encouragement.
Here is the GetReal, GetGOING list of qualities to look for when identifying a mentor. Remember that while many of these may be inherent in the personality of a mentor, some dynamics will develop over time, along with your relationship.
A good mentor:
Exhibits enthusiasm in the field
Is a positive role model
Demonstrates a positive attitude
Has a keen interest in their own personal and professional development
Has earned the respect of colleagues
Shares tools, knowledge and expertise
Is generous with his/her wisdom, time and energy
Has proper relationship boundaries, both personal and professional
Has space for a growing relationship with a mentee
Takes a particular interest in the mentoring relationship
Fosters the growth of your emotional intelligence
Is on the lookout for opportunities for their mentees’ development
Provides constructive criticism when asked
Assists you in thinking about your long-term career satisfaction
Celebrates your successes
Educates you regarding the business of private practice
A well-maintained mentor relationship can be the cornerstone of your support system as you work through the challenges of early career development. And later, they may even be a significant part of your network of colleagues and referral sources. Begin to build these valuable relationships now, and for more ideas about how to network and find and build relationships, check out my book: GetReal, GetGOING: The definitive Roadmap to Starting the Private Practice of Your Dreams.
