Fostering a diverse mentoring dynamic in art therapy

A cross-cultural mentoring dyad that emerges from a more internally motivated, non-obligatory relationship has the potential to co-evolve into a collaborative awareness of diverse educational experiences, cultural perspec-tives , critical examinations. We present our rationale , benefits for a successful mentoring foundation built on trust that was first initiated to discuss shared experiences of working with profoundly challenging forensic populations. The value of converging and diverging viewpoints between us, further informing a deeper exami-nation and reflections on our own identities and dynamics of power, eventually evolved into a goal-focused endeavor such as writing and publishing. Ultimately, we emphasize the value of mentoring within and for the art therapy community, particularly to amplify diverse connections and learning, one relationship at a time.