The Role of a Mentoring Group for Family Therapy Trainees and Therapists of Color
The authors would like to acknowledge Miguel Hernandez, Sippio Small, Iris Johnson, Brenda Shrobe, Mark White, Lisa Lavelle, and Lisa Williamson for their contributions to this article. The second, third, and fourth authors contributed equally to this manuscript.
Abstract
This article discusses the development, process, and impact of a mentoring group for family therapists of color. A within-group process for trainees of color in a predominantly White institution can provide a valuable resource for support, validation, empowerment, and collective action. The article examines how such mentoring promotes the effectiveness of therapists of color, as well as the practices and goals of social justice and diversity within training institutions and the field in general. Reflections and recommendations for implementing such a group are offered, as well as a personal narrative of a group member's experience of finding her voice in the group.
