SCV-CAMFT Mentorship Program

Our mentorship program connects experienced members who want to offer support and guidance to members who are at an earlier stage of professional development.

Mentors are listed in the Mentor Directory. This directory is only visible to members. Potential mentees can view the list and select a few they would like to work with. The mentee then contacts the mentor to discuss the possibility of working together. If both think there is a good match, they decide how they will proceed. We have guidelines and forms below that can be downloaded to help coordinate the process.

The Mentorship Program is voluntary. Mentoring is not intended to provide therapy, be supervision or case consultation, and no compensation is permitted. Mentoring relationships typically last for about six months. Participants agree on how often to meet, whether in person or by phone, and other parameters. Once these parameters are decided, the participants sign a Mentor Program Engagement Agreement. This is to ensure each participant has clarity on what is expected, such as a tentative start and end date. This agreement is submitted via email to mentorprogram@scv-camft.org, so that the chapter can have visibility as to how many people are utilizing this benefit and to periodically evaluate how well the program is working. The mentoring relationship is managed solely by the participants.

Suggested areas for mentoring: the road to licensure, clarity around future direction, exam prep, establishing a private practice, defining professional identity, marketing, creativity in psychotherapy, running groups, theoretical orientation, professional / personal boundaries, self-care / balance, working in an agency or non-profit, finding internship placements, how to find private practice internships, art therapy, the process of psychotherapy, continuing education, specific clinical topics (ex: working with children), countertransference, or other topics. 

How to Find a Mentor

  • Identify specific goal(s) you want to achieve.
  • Review the mentor directory and contact someone you think will help you meet your goals. 
  • Make initial contact, review your goals together,  and set up meetings. Copy your email message to mentorprogram@scv-camft.org so we can be sure your email is received.
  • If you do not hear back from your mentor, they may not have received your email. Contact mentorprogram@scv-camft.org if you do not hear back.
  • Be self-directed, keep attention on your goals – operate as an adult learner.
  • Make commitments and keep them.
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries (do not use the mentor as a therapist or supervisor)

How to Become a Mentor

  • Express your interest by selecting YES in the "I want to be a mentor" question in your online profile. This action will add you to the online mentor directory viewable only to SCV-CAMFT members.
  • Describe what you are offering to a mentee in the "My Mentor Description" field in your profile. This will be visible in your mentor directory listing, to help mentees determine if you will be a good fit for them.
  • A mentee will contact you from your mentor directory listing.
  • You will work with your mentee to establish and achieve agreed-upon goals / activities.
  • Download the Engagement Agreement, read through it, sign it, and email it to mentorprogram@scv-camft.org. 
  • Provide encouragement, support, and share your knowledge and experience, offering appropriate resources.
  • Make commitments and keep them.
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries (a mentor is not a therapist or supervisor)

Mentor description example: I have been in private practice for 10 years. I work with families and children using Bowenian Family Therapy. I’m interested in mentoring on exam prep, marketing, and self-care.

Remember, mentoring is not therapy, supervision or case consultation.

SCV-CAMFT Mentor Program Resources

Once you have engaged in a mentorship, please download the Mentor Program Guidelines and Engagement Agreement. Both participants sign it. The mentee scans and emails it to mentorprogram@scv-camft.org.

For assistance send an email to mentorprogram@scv-camft.org or call 650-308-4809.

SCV-CAMFT

P.O. Box 60814, Palo Alto, CA. 94306

mail@scv-camft.org

650-308-4809

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