| Interested in sharing your experience to help newer clinicians? Feeling like you want guidance from someone who’s been there before? You’re in the right place! |
| The SFCAMFT Mentoring Program A mental health crisis persists in the Bay Area and beyond, and therapists are presented with a unique challenge. To better support our community, we must support each other. If you are newly in grad school, a Trainee, an Associate or newly licensed and in search of guidance, help is on the way. SIGN-UP TO BE A MENTEE! If you’ve already navigated the road to licensure and made it through being a newly-licensed therapist, your colleagues need you as a Mentor! SIGN UP TO BE A MENTOR! The Mentoring Program: * Provides support to pre-licensed and newly licensed therapists in their professional development and growth, through guidance, practical advice and community. * Operates from the core values of integrity, compassion, cooperation and respect. * Runs for one year, beginning in October 2022.Is only open to SFCAMFT members. * Does not constitute a consultant /consultee or supervisory relationship. |
| How It Works Mentees and Mentors will be matched using the criteria that you indicate on the Matching Form. The information that you share on the form sheds a light on what is most important to you in a Mentor or a Mentee in hopes that we can make the most beneficial pairings possible. Program participants will receive a suggested framework so that Mentors and Mentees are able to begin their mentoring relationships in a way that will help set expectations and set the foundation for meaningful mentoring. If you’re interested in becoming a Mentor or Mentee (or both!), please fill out the Matching Form, which should take about 10 minutes. Your answers will help ensure the best mentor-mentee match. In early October I’ll notify you of your match, along with a suggested kickoff format! Matching Form Submissions are due by 11:59pm PT on 9/11/22. |
| QuestionsOn the fence about whether to sign-up and complete the Matching Form? Here are answers to 3 common questions from potential mentors / mentees: Who can be a Mentor? Anyone! Some might wonder if they have a lot of experience or need to be considered an “expert” to be a mentor. Whether you just got licensed or have been practicing for years, you have more to offer a mentee than you might think. Additionally, you can be sure you’ll be paired with a mentee who’s looking for a Mentor who has what you can offer. Who can be a Mentee? You guessed it… anyone! All it takes is a genuine need for guidance, advice, or a connection with someone who’s more experienced than you in the field. How much time does it take? That really depends on your availability, although we encourage meeting at least monthly. You’ll receive a suggested format for an initial meeting between Mentor and Mentee; one hour should suffice. You’ll also receive a suggested framework for your interactions, meaning that Mentors and Mentees will together decide what works best for their schedules. That may mean regular intervals (e.g. monthly meetings), or maybe you’d prefer to schedule on an as-needed basis. The point is that you can tailor it to you! The program lasts for one year. |
| Testimonials Lauren (Mentee): “I am so grateful that this program started up again during 2020 since this type of support has become so important. I was matched with Aimee in the midst of career turmoil brought on by COVID-19 and our monthly chats were an essential part of me staying grounded. The matching process was spot on and I am beyond grateful to have connected with Aimee. I feel very supported and feel comforted knowing that there is someone I can reach out to who has been there before. This is a wonderful service offered by SFCAMFT and I hope to serve as a mentor someday to give back to the community.” Aimee (Mentor): “I have been a mentor in SFCAMFT’s program 3 times now and each time has been unique and rewarding. I appreciate getting to know other therapists in the area. I am often learning about local resources and programs that I myself have not encountered or engaged with in my own practice. And of course, it feels good to know that I am supporting others to find their voice and path as a private therapist. In the realm of being a private practice therapist, I often felt that educational/master’s level programs preparing people for this work gave little time or focus to how to start and maintain a practice. If anyone would like to hear more about what it’s been like to be a mentor, please feel free to contact me at aimeerozen@gmail.com.” |
| Questions? Email Kristy Noryko at sfcamftmentor@gmail.com. |