Mentorship

Having both a mentor and a supervisor can be incredibly valuable to a counselor’s professional growth and confidence. While these roles are different, they each offer important support at various stages of a therapist’s journey.

 

A mentor helps guide the bigger picture—supporting skill development, professional identity, and long-term career growth. Mentors can offer insight from their own experience, provide encouragement and healthy challenge, and open doors to new opportunities through networking and community connections. Their role is centered on helping counselors grow into the best version of themselves, both personally and professionally.

 

A supervisor, on the other hand, plays a more hands-on role in the day-to-day clinical work. Supervisors provide guidance on documentation, treatment planning, diagnosis, and navigating complex clinical decisions. For pre-licensed therapists or those holding a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) license, supervisors are often legally responsible for treatment plans and clinical oversight. While supervisors focus on clinical competence and ethical practice, mentors focus on overall professional development and long-term vision.

The qualities I value most in a mentor include experience, success within their specialty, a growth-oriented mindset, and the willingness to challenge me to continue improving. An ideal mentoring relationship would offer flexibility, with check-ins that could occur bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly depending on need. These meetings might range from brief conversations to longer planning and growth-focused sessions.

 

My ideal mentor would specialize in sports psychology and have experience working with both children and adults. I am especially drawn to mentors who are connected to youth and community outreach programs, allowing us to give back and support individuals who may not otherwise have access to therapeutic services.

 

With the support of a professional mentor, my primary goal is to deepen my knowledge and clinical skills in sports psychology for both youth and adults. I plan to measure this growth through increased client retention, expanded treatment modalities, and the ability to create individualized treatment plans that meet diverse client needs.

 

In the short term, my goals include continuing to collaborate with my current supervisors while exploring opportunities to connect with a mentor in the sports psychology field. This may include participating in continuing education, volunteering, or assisting a mentor in order to learn directly from their experience. These steps are directly aligned with my long-term goal of specializing in sports psychology and strengthening my skill set with this population.

 

My timeline for reaching out to potential mentors and having these conversations in place is April 2026, which marks the completion of my second internship. This timeframe allows space for thoughtful exploration, skill development, and continued growth under consistent supervision.