The Mentor Program matches experienced social workers with social workers who are either new to the field, new to the DC metro area, or going for advanced licensure 2 years after MSW. The mentors and mentees agree on the duration of their discussions, which vary from 1 meeting to ongoing meetings over several years. They limit their discussions to professional development concerns, and avoid therapy or clinical supervision.

Connect with a mentor if you are a new social worker…

“I am a first-year LMSW and I'm delighted to have …my GWSCSW mentor. I always leave our sessions with greater inspiration, knowledge, and direction in my career. Without the GWSCSW and the mentor program, we would not have had the chance to meet and connect on this level, and for that I am grateful. I recommend my colleagues join the mentor program and connect with a highly experienced social worker.”

“The mentor program was a friendly way-in to the society for me, upon moving to the Baltimore area and not having many connections here. I wanted to meet people and get involved, but felt overwhelmed and didn't know where to start. The mentor program provided a friendly face and a pathway towards that. Additionally, the fact that the society has a mentor program and actively reached out to me, demonstrated that they care about being accessible for new people, which I really appreciated."


Mentoring Programs

 Purpose of the Mentor Program

The purpose of the Mentor Program is to provide a link between a Mentor, who is an established member of the profession, with a graduating social work student, a recent graduate, a social worker re-entering the field or one new to the area. The program is open to all GWSCSW Members no matter what area of concentration or special interest he or she has in the field of social work.

The Mentee is assigned to an individual Mentor upon receipt of the application. Additional services offered are support groups and other workshops. Mentoring might be a one-time meeting or an ongoing relationship. Contact may be by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are encouraged, when possible.

Mentor: a wise and trusted counselor and teacher

Recent MSW graduates and social workers resuming practice, new to the Washington Metro area or contemplating changing an area of clinical focus after years of practice may want to talk with a Mentor.

These are some of the common issues a new or returning social worker might like assistance with as a Mentee:

      • Job search strategies
      • Advice on how to handle tough situations with co-workers or boss in a new job
      • Information about licensure
      • Group support alongside other new or transitioning social workers
      • Assistance with strategies for starting a private psychotherapy practice
      • Continuing professional development
Note: The role of the Mentor is not to provide psychotherapy or supervision to the Mentee.  If these are your needs, the Therapist Finder System is the appropriate resource.

The Mentoring Program (directed through the Professional Development Committee) also recruits anyone interested in becoming a Mentor: experienced clinical social workers willing to help someone consider his/her goals and act as a sounding board, providing guidance and advice. You can determine the extent of your own time commitment.

And we could use some new mentors too…

Perhaps you would like to be a mentor? Fill out the application on the website or contact Nancy Harris, LCSW-C, coordinator of the Mentor Program. She’s at nlharris1214@gmail.com . You can meet for as much or little time as needed. Sometimes mentees only need a little information and support. In any event you and the mentee will decide how much time and of course, it should be something manageable for you both.

What I enjoy about being a mentor…

  • Talking to new social workers
  • Remembering my own beginning years as a social worker
  • Hearing about what new social workers face
  • New issues in the field
  • Being helpful
  • Problem-solving how to help mentees get what they need

I’d be happy to talk to anyone interested in being a mentor. Feel free to call or email.  Nancy Harris, LCSW-C | Coordinator of Mentor Program -- Nlharris1214@gmail.com

MENTORS

In considering whether to volunteer to act as a mentor to a newer social worker, please be certain that you have sufficient availability to meet with a mentee at least four times, although depending on the mentee’s needs, the duration of your contact may be less or more extended. Completing all the information on the application form is essential, in order for the Mentor Program coordinator to pair you with a mentee whose needs fit the expertise and experience you have to offer. Your information will be kept in the Mentor Program file to be considered when potential mentee applications are received. The program coordinator will contact you when there is a potential mentee whose needs match your qualifications and provide information that you can use to get in touch with him or her. Since the mentees are often new to the profession and/ or area and may be hesitant in expressing themselves, mentors are encouraged to assist the individual in defining the relationship and the needs connected to the request for a mentor. Remember that the relationship with a mentee is not equivalent to clinical supervision, but rather to address concerns such as developing a professional identity, obtaining adequate licensing/supervision, determining career directions, addressing employment concerns, selecting appropriate continuing education and starting a private practice. Prior contacting the mentee, the mentor may want to be prepared to discuss defining the objectives with the mentee, as well as determining the meeting place, meeting time, frequency of contact, and preferred method(s) of contact. If at any point in the process, the mentor has questions or concerns related to the suitability or effectiveness of the relationship with the mentee, the Mentor Program coordinator can be contacted to provide assistance. 

Mentor Application

Mentees

Applicants must be members of GWSCSW to participate in the Mentor Program. Once your application has been submitted, the Mentor Program coordinator will begin the process of identifying an appropriate individual from our mentor panel. The matching process may take three to four weeks as every effort is made to make pairings where areas of practice expertise, as well as the location of the mentor and mentee are compatible. The mentor is given the contact information for the mentee and will initiate the first communication. In preparation for this first contact, the mentee may want to consider the objectives in seeking a mentor, as well the time period, form, frequency and length of the contact desired. These issues can be discussed during the initial contact, as well as during the first meeting, as a way of defining and clarifying the relationship, which can be revised as needed over time. None of these issues are predetermined by the program, so as to let the mentee and mentor develop a way of working together that benefits the mentee. The only caveat is that the mentor/mentee relationship is not supervisory in nature, but rather a collaboration that supports the mentee in resolving professional concerns such as developing a professional identity, obtaining adequate licensing/supervision, determining career directions, addressing employment concerns, selecting appropriate continuing education and starting a private practice. Once the mentee has had an opportunity to meet with the mentor, the mentee should contact the Mentor Program coordinator to provide feedback as to whether the arrangement is satisfactory. In addition, if the mentee has questions, does not receive a response to the application form within the specified time period, and/or is dissatisfied with the recommended mentor, the coordinator can be contacted at any time during the course of the relationship. 

Mentee Application

www.gwscsw.org
PO Box 711 | Garrisonville, VA  22463 | 202-478-7638 | admin@gwscsw.org

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