About Mentorship Program

Thank you for your interest in SDNC-CAMFT’s Mentor-Mentee Program. The purpose of this program is to unite licensed and prelicensed/newly licensed members in order to assist prelicensed or newly licensed members with general questions concerning the profession and relevant issues.

Definition of Mentor:
A mentor is a licensed member who, on a voluntary basis, provides a prelicensed or newly licensed member, who is not in a supervisorial relationship with the mentor, with consultation, reinforcement, constructive feedback, and the opportunity to share ideas and dialogue about relevant issues related to the profession. Mentoring is not supervision, and the mentor is not responsible for the actions of the mentee. Mentors should generally not give advice on legal and ethical concerns, nor should they provide clinical/case consultation in lieu of supervision (The mentor should not be second-guessing a supervisor or giving direction that would be contrary to a supervisor), however mentors should assist mentees in locating appropriate sources for such information when necessary (CAMFT should be referred to as a resource, for example, for questions of a legal, business, or practice nature). The mentor is intended to be an unbiased ear to address concerns or share information to assist the mentee in charting their future course as a mental health professional. For example, the mentor may be instrumental in helping a mentee to determine an area of professional emphasis or may be helpful in identifying resources for the mentee to garner information. The mentor/mentee relationship may be time limited to no more than 1 hour per month, or as determined by the mentor and mentee.

Definition of a Mentee:
A mentee is a prelicensed or newly licensed member who seeks unbiased guidance from licensed members about professional concerns. It is not supervision.

Program Description:
Once mentors choose to participate in the program, their names, contact information and a short summary of their professional interests will be listed in a register available to mentees who have agreed to abide by the Guidelines, and Ethical Standards. From there, mentees will contact a mentor of their choosing. Should a mentor cancel participation in the program, he or she must inform SDNC-CAMFT of the decision, and his or her name will be removed from the list.

Guidelines:
1. Both parties are to be members in good standing with CAMFT and SDNC-CAMFT Chapter.
2. Both parties are expected to be knowledgeable about and abide by the CAMFT Ethical Standards.
3. Participation as either a mentor or mentee is voluntary. No compensation, monetary or otherwise, is permitted. No hours of experience or continuing education are granted for this relationship.
4. Mentors agree to not interfere or intervene in any supervisorial relationship.
5. The form of communication, the frequency of contact, and the length of the mentoring relationship is to be as agreed to by the mentor and mentee.

Application Process

If you are interested in participating in this program, or if you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Laser.