Mentoring Professional Psychologists: Programs for Career Development, Advocacy, and Diversity

The importance of continuing and updated training for professional psychologists in essential areas of practice and career development-that is, advocacy, ethical business practices, understanding of legislative and regulatory issues, leadership, and culturally informed policies and practices-has spawned the development and implementation of multiple mentoring programs within organized professional psychology. Four such programs are discussed that have been developed through or supported by the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice within the American Psychological Association (APA). These programs provide mentoring for graduate students, early career psychologists, and experienced practicing psychologists in the areas of effective and ethical business practices, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and ethnic minority leadership development. Included are descriptions of mentoring programs developed and implemented by the Massachusetts Psychological Association, the Texas Psychological Association, the APA Practice Federal Advocacy Coordinator network, and the APA State Leadership Conference Diversity Initiative.