Mentor Match

Welcome! The AATA Mentor Match program reflects our commitment to you and your professional development. This unique online networking and career development tools helps AATA members find, connect and share experiences with others. Mentors and mentees can be in the same city or on the other side of the world.

The AATA Mentor Match program will open to mentees on January 2, 2018. In the meantime, we are recruiting Professional, Credentialed Professionals, and Retired Professionals to enroll as mentors in the program.

What is the role of a Mentor?
Mentors can serve in a variety of roles. Many mentees are most likely looking for a role model, a leader to look up to who has the experience and skills that he/she wants to emulate. Mentors can draw upon their own career development with the Mentee, including aspirations, goals, experiences, and the particular knowledge, skills, and attitudes they have found necessary to succeed in the field of art therapy. The Mentor can also assist the Mentee in assessing his/her strengths and weaknesses and in determining which competencies need to be developed. It is important to note that a Mentor/Mentee relationship does not and cannot replace that of a Supervisor/Supervisee relationship, which is specifically geared toward the development of clinical skills needed for professional competency and credentialing. The Mentor should advise the Mentee to obtain ATR supervision when and where appropriate.

Mentors can provide the Mentee with guidance for establishing a professional network. The Mentor can acquaint the Mentee with valuable relationships and activities which can be accessed through the local Chapter and/or the National Association. The Mentor can also provide moral support and suggest various ways that the Mentee can become more involved in the profession.

What are the characteristics of a potential Mentor?
Mentors should be Credentialed Professionals, Professionals or Retired Professional members who have a breadth of experience in the field. An essential characteristic is the motivation to serve as Mentor. Although the time commitment for mentorship will vary, Mentors must be willing to invest the necessary time and energy to make the relationship successful. Mentors should have the skills to assist others in a positive, constructive way. This includes excellent communication skills, especially the ability to be an active listener and to provide feedback in an effective manner. Mentors should also have an active network of professional contacts.

Time Commitment
Each relationship will have unique attributes including the amount of time that both the Mentor and the Mentee can devote to the mentoring relationship. As a general rule, a monthly check-in communication either in person or electronically is recommended, with more frequent email communications, as needed and agreed upon. We have outlined additional information in “Developing a Successful Mentoring Relationship.”
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