Discovering the Best Mentorship for Therapists

Mentorship plays a vital role in the development of any professional, and therapists are no exception. The importance of mentorship for therapists cannot be overstated as it enhances their clinical skills, provides them with guidance and support, and helps them develop professionally. As the field of mental health continues to evolve rapidly, the need for quality mentorship has become more pressing than ever before.

As students, we gain mentorship through out internships and clinical supervision, but unfortunately many of us stop the mentoring process once we become fully licensed professionals. In this article, we will discuss why mentorship is crucial for therapists and explore the different types of mentorship available, highlighting the pros and cons of each so you can select which type is best for you at this particular season of your career.

What is mentorship

Mentorship is a process where an experienced and knowledgeable individual provides guidance, support, and advice to someone who is less experienced in a particular field. The best mentorship for therapists includes having a mentor who can provide insight into the therapist’s practice, help them navigate ethical dilemmas, and/or offer guidance on how to build their career.

In order to receive the best mentorship for therapists, it is important to find a mentor who has experience in your area of interest. For example, if you are looking to grow your clinical skills, you may want to consider hiring a clinical supervisor in a modality that complements yours and/or a modality you wish to learn more about. If you are looking to become an entrepreneur and business owner, be sure to connect with someone who has already “walked the walk.” They do not need to be managing a multi-million dollar business (if anything that might not be the best fit for you right now because they are too far removed from the entry level problems); you just need to hire someone who is a few solid steps head of you and is on a path similar to where you want to go.

You can think about mentorship like the alphabet: if you are starting at the letter “B” you don’t necessarily want someone who is operating at level “X.” Yes they are experienced and well versed in the field of expertise, but they are so far ahead it can be hard to relate to what challenges you are facing today. Instead, look for someone who is at a level “F” or “K” as they are much closer to where you are today and therefore will be better able to guide you to where you want to be.

Remember, just because you work with someone now doesn’t mean you will work with them forever. As you grow, you will up level your mentorship. This means maybe starting with free resources and then moving your way up to paid consultations.

Things to consider before investing in mentorship

When selecting a mentor, you should look for someone who has expertise in the type of skillset you want to learn more about.

Looking to strengthen your clinical skills? Look into books, trainings, and clinical supervision.

Want to improve your copywriting? Join Facebook groups for therapist centered around marketing or hire a marketing strategist.

Are you a new grad and have NO IDEA where you want to start? Talk to multiple people in various jobs in your field to see what options are available.

Additionally, it is important that your mentor shares your values and approach to therapy so that they can provide guidance that aligns with your beliefs. You want someone who has similar core values, but is still different enough from your position where they can give you perspective and guide you in areas of growth.

For example, if you value having services available to all regardless of income level be sure to work with someone who is familiar with the insurance process, sliding scales, and/or volunteer work.

Want to attract a high-end clientele? Look for a mentor who already serves this population to see what works for them.

Other things to consider when finding a mentor are:

Your goals and objectives: Before investing in mentorship, consider what you hope to achieve from the experience. Are you looking to gain new skills, insights or perspectives? Or are you seeking guidance on a specific issue or challenge? Going into a coaching or supervision meeting with a plan helps to keep everyone on target as well as maximize your investment.

The mentor’s experience and expertise: Research your potential mentor’s background and areas of expertise to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to help you achieve your goals. Look into what services they offer, what others have said about their work, etc.

Compatibility and chemistry: It’s important that you feel comfortable with your mentor and that they understand your needs and communication style. At the end of the day, sometimes you just need to meet with someone once or twice to know for yourself if it is going to be a good fit for you. Consider scheduling a call or meeting before committing to a longer-term arrangement. (TIP: If they have any free content such as blogs or videos, this can be a great way to get to know someone before signing up for services).

Time commitment and availability: Determine how much time you are willing to commit to working with a mentor, as well as their schedule and availability. I always recommend setting a time goal (ie. 6 sessions, 12 sessions) this way there is a concrete deadline to help motivate change behaviors.

Types of Mentorship: Free, Paid and Everything In Between

Free Resources: Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube, Books

Mentorship is an essential part of career growth and development. However, not everyone can afford to pay for mentorship programs or coaching services. Free resources are a viable alternative for individuals who have financial constraints but still want to seek mentorship.

No time to sit and read? Download books in audio format for easy reading on the go. You will be amazed how many books you can read in a month when you maximize your time doing chores and transportation with audio books. I personally love Audible for this. Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free Audiobooks

Pros:

1. Cost-effective: Using free resources for mentorship can save a lot of money, especially for those who cannot afford paid services. (TIP: The Library is your friend, get to know it better.)
2. Wide range of options: There are many free resources available online, offering mentorship in different fields and areas of expertise.
3. Convenience: Accessing mentorship through free resources is convenient as it can be done from anywhere and at any time. I personally love listening to podcasts and audio books as I do errands. This is a great way for me to learn on the go while still living my life.
4. Opportunity to learn from experienced professionals: Many free resources offer informal mentorship from experienced professionals, providing a valuable learning experience.
5. Flexibility: As there are no financial commitments involved, using free resources allows for greater flexibility in terms of the duration and frequency of mentorship.

Cons:

1. Quality concerns: The quality of advice and guidance provided through free resources may not always be reliable or consistent. Remember not everything you read on the internet is true or up to date so be sure to do your research.
2. Lack of personalization: Free resources may not offer personalized guidance tailored to an individual’s specific needs and goals. Often times these free resources are talking to a general audience (sometimes as part of a sales funnel).
3. Limited availability: Free mentoring programs (like those offered on college campuses) may have limited availability due to high demand, making it difficult to access them when needed.
4. Lack of accountability: Free mentors may not feel as accountable for their advice since they are not receiving payment for their services.
5. Online limitations: Some people prefer face-to-face interactions

Who is this perfect for?

Some group that can benefit from free resources as their primary mentorship includes students, recent graduates, and job seekers. These individuals may lack the experience or funding needed to access formal mentorship programs. Online platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer free courses on various subjects ranging from leadership skills to technical expertise that can help these groups gain knowledge and skills relevant to their career paths.

Another group that should seek free resources as their primary mentoring is entrepreneurs and start-up founders who are bootstrapping their businesses and have more time then money available to them. Save the paid consultations for your specific questions or problems and do some research yourself first to see what you want to learn more about. Once you pick a topic using the free resources, then you can dive deeper into your education with trainings, supervision and coaching services.

Flip side, if you have money to invest and you know for sure this is the road you want, investing in a coach/mentor/mastermind early can help get you on the right path immediately. This is something I did a few months into my business and it was a HUGE help in accelerating my growth. That being said, I also recognize that the privilege of being able to invest early in their business may not be available to everyone.

Looking for books to help enhance your field knowledge? Here are my favorite lists:

• Discover which books topped the list for mental health topics this year! [Updated January 2023]
• Best Books to Read on Common Mental Health Topics
• Therapeutic Children’s Picture Books to Help with Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma and More

Peers in the Field

Once you have done your library and YouTube research, it is good to talk to live people who are living the life you want. Join some Facebook groups, participate in networking events, and get to know real professionals doing the work to see what life is like for a therapist in your choses field.

Pros:

1. Peers in the field can provide valuable insight and advice based on their own experiences.
2. Peer mentorship allows for a level of relatability and understanding that may not be present in traditional mentor-mentee relationships since your peer is presumably still working in the field where as a professional coach may or may not be actively practicing.
3. Peers are often more accessible than higher-level mentors, making it easier to establish and maintain a relationship.
4. Peers can offer feedback on specific challenges or projects that traditional mentors may not have direct experience with.
5. Peer mentorship can foster collaboration and networking opportunities within the industry. (You never know where those networking referrals might come from.)

Cons:

1. Peers may not have the same level of expertise or experience as a more established mentor. If someone is “too relatable” they may not be far enough along in the process to help. They can provide great support and empathy, but you do not want to be stuck in a “blind leading the blind” situation.
2. There is a risk of receiving biased or incorrect information from peers who may not fully understand certain aspects of the industry.
3. Peer mentorship may lack structure or formal training, leading to inconsistencies in the quality and type of guidance provided. There is a skillset involved when supervising and coaching others, so hiring a formal mentor can really help ensure that you are working with someone who knows their stuff.
4. Relationships with peers can become competitive, particularly if they are vying for similar career opportunities or promotions.
5. Because peer relationships are often less hierarchical, there is potential for misunderstandings or conflicts to arise without clear expectations or boundaries set in place.

Who is this perfect for?

• Students (Grad School)
• First year therapists
• Businesses that have more time then funds available

Hire a Business Coach

When you are serious about staring your own practice, hiring a business coach is a great way to get the ball rolling so that you can confidently start your practice with as few hiccups as possible. Business coaches are professionals who work with individuals and organizations to help them achieve their goals. They offer valuable guidance, support, and advice on various aspects of business management, including strategy development, sales and marketing, employee engagement, and leadership. However, not everyone is an ideal client for a business coach.

Pros:

1. A business coach can offer personalized advice and guidance specific to your practice’s needs.
2. They can help you create a solid business plan and set achievable goals.
3. A coach can provide accountability, motivating you to stay on track with your goals.
4. They may have connections within the industry that could benefit your practice.
5. Hiring a coach can save time and money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes.

Cons:

1. The cost of hiring a business coach may be prohibitive for some practices. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
2. Not all coaches are equally qualified or experienced, so it may take time to find the right fit for you. Start with a 1x consultation to see if it is a good fit. Not sure if they offer this service? Ask!
3. Some coaches may push their own agenda or methods rather than tailoring their approach to your unique needs.
4. Coaching is not a magic solution – ultimately, success still depends on the work and effort put in by the practitioner themselves. Coaches are a guide not a magic answer, YOU still need to put in the hard work to make it succeed.

Who is this perfect for?

The ideal client for a business coach is someone who is committed to achieving their goals and willing to take action towards them. They should be open-minded and receptive to feedback as well as willing to learn new skills or approaches that can improve their performance. Additionally, they should have clear objectives in mind that they want to achieve within a specific timeframe.

Another important characteristic of the ideal client for a business coach is self-awareness. This means being able to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses as well as understanding how these factors impact their ability to achieve success in their field.

Join a Mastermind/Group Program

Learning how to develop a business as a therapist can be challenging, especially when it comes to marketing and networking. However, participating in a mastermind or group program can provide invaluable benefits to therapists who are looking to grow their practice. These programs offer opportunities for collaboration, support, and accountability that can lead to long-term success.

I mentioned earlier that this is something that I did for myself early on in my practice, and though the price tag hurt to start (we are talking thousands of dollars), I don’t regret it one bit.

Why?

Because a business coach was able to show and teach me what I didn’t know I didn’t know. A business coach not only taught me what questions to ask myself but where to find the answers and how to find the most streamlined path. This quick start allowed me to spend less time researching and more time doing, ultimately growing my practice so in its first year I made double what I was making at my agency job working half the time.

Pros:

1. Access to a diverse group of experienced professionals who can offer unique perspectives and insights.
2. Collaboration and support from like-minded individuals with similar goals and aspirations. By working with other therapists who are also interested in growing their practices, individuals can share ideas and strategies that have been successful for them. This type of collaborative environment allows participants to learn from each other’s experiences and gain valuable insights into what has worked well in the past.
3. Accountability and motivation to achieve personal and professional growth through regular meetings and check-ins.
4. Cost-effective compared to individual coaching or consulting services.
5. Opportunity for networking and building new relationships that could lead to future business opportunities.

Cons:

1. Lack of one-on-one attention may not address specific individual needs or challenges.
2. Potential for conflicting personalities or disagreements within the group dynamic.
3. Limited availability of time, resources, or expertise among members may hinder progress towards goals.
4. Possibility for distractions or off-topic discussions during meetings that detract from the primary focus on mentorship and growth.
5. Dependency on other members’ participation can make it difficult to maintain consistent momentum or progress without full commitment from all involved parties.

Who is this perfect for?

In all honestly, everyone.

I know this sounds like a copout but let me explain… Masterminds are a great place to start because they usually have a wide variety of individuals and skillsets so there is something for everyone. If you are open minded and willing to learn you will find benefit in this type of program.

There are some people however who are NOT a great fit for a mastermind (right now):

• Individuals/businesses low on funds (usually memberships are not cheap)
• individualls who have NO IDEA what they want (do some research with free stuff first)
• those looking for quick wins and not interested in collaboration or personal growth (masterminds are usually a process and can be months or years long so if you are looking to tackle 1 specific goal you are better off hiring a coach)

Conclusion

In conclusion, mentorships are a valuable resource for therapists who want to start their own business. They provide guidance and support from experienced professionals while allowing new practitioners to learn the ins and outs of running a private practice. Participating in such programs can lead to increased confidence, networking opportunities, and ultimately, success in the field. If you’re a therapist considering starting your own business, make sure to research mentorship options and take advantage of this invaluable resource. With the right guidance and support, you can achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact on your clients’ lives.

If you are interested in business coaching for your (soon to be) practice, click here to learn more about the services I offer.