Data Suggests Mentorships Can Benefit Mental Health Therapists

Survey of more than 900 mental health therapists finds a significant mentorship gap: 

• • 77% of female therapists agree mentorship programs are critical to career success 
  • Only 26% of therapists currently have a mentor
  • Close to half of the respondents are open to becoming a mentor to another mental health professional 
  • 65% of all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) therapists noted identity is important when selecting a mentor
  • 59% agree that lack of mentors with a shared background is a barrier to success 

SimplePractice’s February 2023 survey of mental health therapists revealed an urgent need for mentors in the field of mental health.

The survey asked therapists about their experience with mentors, and the results uncovered a significant mentorship gap.

Even though three-quarters of the therapists agreed mentors are critical to career success, only one-quarter of mental health clinicians said they currently have a mentor.

The survey results inspired SimplePractice to launch a first-of-its-kind mentorship program to connect mentors in the health and wellness field with fellow clinicians looking for mentorship. 

This pilot program aims to bring therapists across the industry together to create deeper connections with peers. Get more info on the program. 

The mental health field is dominated by white practitioners who make up 73 percent of therapists, with Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)  clinicians making up 23 percent, according to data from career website Zippia. 

The SimplePractice female survey participants represent slightly more diversity than the national average for therapists—with 68 percent white female and 32 percent BIPOC female practitioners. 

Most therapists view mentors as critical to career success

Clinicians pointed out the impact mentors made in validating, encouraging, and inspiring them in their work.

Out of the respondents, 77 percent of women therapists and 77 percent of BIPOC therapists (slightly more than the percentage of total survey participants of all demographics) said that mentorships are critical to success in their careers.

“Having the right mentor who helps you find confidence in yourself can make a huge difference in your trajectory—in what you do and what you aspire to do,” said Los Angeles-based dietitian Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, founder of Nomadista Nutrition. 

“I read about all the work that my mentor did and what she specialized in, and I thought: ‘This is what I hope to be one day. This is going to be an amazing person to learn from.’” said psychotherapist Nicole MacInty, MA, LMFT. 

“When I was in a new season of my career, it was really difficult,” said dietitian Jamie Mok MS, RD, RYT, founder of Yogini RD. “But my mentor was a huge influence in that shift. She was a pivotal role model in my life, and I learned so much just by being in her orbit.”

Additionally, while just over one quarter of therapists said they are mentors now, nearly half indicated they are open to being a mentor or have been mentors in the past.

“My mentor lifted me up, and that’s my priority now—to do that for other women,” said licensed psychotherapist and mentor Rose Junie Abito, LMFT, founder at Rose Junie Therapy. “To lift each other up during tough times. To show up for each other and let the other person shine.” 

 

Most important factors when choosing a mentor

Survey participants responded that personality fit, shared specialty, and educational background were key factors when choosing mentors.

Eighty-three percent responded that personality fit is most important when searching for a mentor. In fact, forcing a mentor relationship is one of the common mentor pitfalls.

The data also demonstrated that identity, including racial and ethnic identities, matter in mentorships.

While half of all therapists participating in the survey reported identity is important when selecting a mentor, more than half (65 percent) of all BIPOC respondents said identity is important in choosing a mentor, while a majority (83 percent) of Black respondents said identity is important in a mentor. 

“As a woman of color, you struggle with feeling like you belong in the mental health field, and especially in private practice,” said associate clinical therapist Angelica “Angie” Curiel, ASW, supervised and mentored by Long Beach-based psychotherapist Rose Junie Abito, LMFT. Therapists Valeri Trezise, CEO at Be Still Psychotherapy, and Prerna Rao, MA, LMFT—both SimplePractice customers—have a strong mentor relationship, and they both noted that this relationship was built in part because of cultural background in their work. 

“My mentee and I are both women of color,” said Rao. “And we really bonded because we know how hard it is for women of color to find the support that we need.”

“As a woman of color and early in my career as a therapist, transitioning into a non-diverse arena was challenging,” said Trezise. “Having Prerna to relate to—and collaborate with—as a fellow woman of color was critical. Understanding each other’s backgrounds and the backgrounds of our clients enabled me to feel more comfortable in talking about issues and opened up more possibilities to help my patients. This relationship was an integral part in the development of my values and the lens I see through as I provide mental health care in my own private practice.” 

Barriers to finding a mentor

Nearly half of survey respondents noted time as a barrier to connecting with a mentor, followed by specialty and geographic location. While time is a limited resource for everyone, it can be a significant obstacle, in particular, for practitioners running the business side of their own private practices and seeing clients. 

Survey respondents highlighted a lack of awareness of mentorship programs.

Without a structured system for finding mentor matches, independent practitioners are left with the burden of figuring out how to find a mentor who is aligned with a shared specialty.

Practitioners also shared how costs can be a major factor in mentorship programs, with some charging an annual $1,500 fee.

And, 59 percent of BIPOC practitioners agreed the lack of mentors with a similar background, identity, or experience is a barrier to success—compared to only 42 percent of the wider set of respondents.

SimplePractice’s Mentorship Program and mentor resources

Now, more than ever, the mental health industry has reached a tipping point.

There is a massive shortage of practitioners to meet the growing mental health services demand for mental health services driven by increases in anxiety and depression and PTSD following months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This shortage in the field has led to increased burnout, among mental health practitioners. 

SimplePractice’s February 2021 State of the Profession study found burnout among therapists had increased significantly from 14 percent to 20 percent in a little over a year. And, in 2022 nearly half of psychologists agreed or strongly agreed they felt burned out, according to an American Psychological Association (APA) survey.

There is a critical need for resources that connect practitioners with one another to reduce feelings of isolation and burnout.

In support of the mentorship pilot program, all month long we’re sharing helpful content on SimplePractice’s Pollen blog—stories about inspiring practitioner mentor partnerships, guidance on what makes a great mentor, common mentor pitfalls, and topics to discuss with your mentor during your initial conversations.

The SimplePractice mentor-matching pilot program is first available for those in California. The program is open to all health and wellness practitioners as well as those currently in school to become practitioners. 

SimplePractice will also be hosting an in-person mentorship event in Los Angeles, as well as virtual online community events to help practitioners nationwide connect.

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Legal information:
SimplePractice cannot guarantee a match. SimplePractice does not take steps to verify that mentors or mentees hold active licenses, certifications, or registrations as required by law, or are in the process of actively seeking the same. SimplePractice does not recommend or endorse any mentors or mentees, and does not make any representations or warranties with respect to these mentors or mentees. SimplePractice does not moderate any communication between mentors and mentees.

SimplePractice may share any information that you provide with a potential mentor or mentee. You release SimplePractice (and its officers, directors, shareholders, agents, parents, subsidiaries, and employees) from claims, demands, losses, liabilities and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with SimplePractice’s sharing of said information.