Dear Student or Early Career Professional:

PSPP offers graduate students the opportunity to meet individually, once a month, with local psychodynamic clinicians who serve as their mentors. Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with the Mentorship Program. We would like to give you an idea of what you can expect, as well as what is expected of you, as you embark on this program.

Why have a PSPP mentor?

• To provide support and guidance to clinical psychology and clinical social work graduate students and recent graduates interested in psychoanalytic theory and practice

• To foster a sense of unity among members of the PSPP community

• To bridge various generations of local psychodynamic clinicians

• For more general information about the benefits of mentorship, please review the June 2016 article in the Monitor titled The life-changing power of mentors at http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/06/mentors.aspx

What can I expect from the program?

• For the duration of the calendar year, you will have a monthly, hour long meeting with your PSPP mentor, at a place to be determined by the two of you. If you wish to continue with your mentor beyond the year, contact Dr. Barbara Goldsmith.

• As a member of this program, you may also participate in the Mentorship Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/psppmentorship/

What is expected of me?

• Making initial contact with your mentor, either by e-mail or phone, within the first two weeks of receiving your mentor’s contact information

• Confirming via e-mail with Dr. Goldsmith when an initial appointment has been scheduled, or informing her if any difficulty arises in doing so, or if for some reason, the mentoring is discontinued after it has begun

• Providing adequate notice to your mentor if an appointment cannot be kept

• Contacting the program director, Dr. Barbara Goldsmith, if any concerns arise regarding your experience with your mentor or the program

What is appropriate content for meetings with your mentor?

• Anything having to do with becoming a mental health professional, such as difficulties encountered in the practicum/internship setting, transitioning from graduate school to the professional world, seeking employment, getting ready for the licensure exam, and balancing professional and personal responsibilities

• Discussion of theory/research/dissertation topic/specific readings on a given topic

• Please note: Your mentor is not a supervisor for your clinical work – all students must have supervisors who are responsible for supervising their clinical work

• Clinical material should be discussed only to highlight further understanding of theory or research or psychodynamic case conceptualization and not for ongoing clinical supervision

• Management of countertransference or personal problems are better left for discussion in supervision or your own psychotherapy

Students who are interested in finding a mentor should fill out the Application for Mentorship. We hope you will find participation in the PSPP Mentorship Program to be an enjoyable and gratifying experience and we would appreciate your feedback at any time. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns or comments.

Sincerely,
Barbara L. Goldsmith, Psy.D.
Director, Mentorship Program

Elena Cucco, PhD (ecucco.psppmentorship@gmail.com)
Assistant Director, Mentorship Program