The goal of the ACLP Trainee and ECP Mentorship Program is to offer guidance and additional support to psychiatry trainees (psychiatry residents and CLP fellows) and ECPs interested in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. With the field of C-L psychiatry expanding beyond inpatient consultation work, psychiatry trainees do not always have access or exposure to the multitude of CLP subspecialties and models of care. The Mentorship Program aims to connect psychiatry trainees and ECPs with CLP specialists to enhance their medical knowledge and assist with career choices.

How to Sign Up

The ACLP Trainee and ECP Mentorship Program is facilitated by ACLP’s Mentorship Subcommittee. Trainees and ECPs are invited to sign up for the program by EOB September 30th. Based on their interest and location, applicants will be matched with a mentor from the ACLP mentorship database. Mentor/mentee pairs will be notified of the match by October 31st. At the midpoint and end of the mentorship year, mentors and mentees will be asked to complete a follow-up survey and will be acknowledged during the ACLP annual meeting in November.

If you are a resident, CLP fellow or ECP interested in receiving mentorship, submit this sign-up form by September 30th. If you are interested in being a mentor, please fill out the faculty sign-up form here also by September 30th.

Expectations

What is the mentee expected to do?

1. Complete a virtual orientation to the program
2. Make initial contact with the mentor
3. Participate in at least four encounters during the 1-year program, as agreed with the mentor
4. Email your mentor ahead of each meeting with a brief agenda or list of topics to discuss
5. Come prepared for the mentorship meetings to use the time with the mentor productively
6. Complete mid- and year-end evaluations of the program
7. Attend (either live or by watching recording) at least four of the ACLP monthly case conferences
8. Become an ACLP member

What is the mentor expected to do?

Mentors are expected to provide their mentee with a minimum of four encounters per year (via phone, video (Zoom; Skype, etc.), or in person if agreed upon by both parties). Mentors should work with their mentee to determine what kind of support will be most useful. Examples of topics for mentorship:

• Pros and cons of a career in C-L psychiatry
• Specific clinical issues, especially in the fields in which the mentee has limited exposure at the training site (e.g., patients with HIV, integrated care)
• Academic activities (such as writing for presentation or publication, or deciding if a case is worth writing up for publication, help drafting a submission)
• Application for C-L Psychiatry fellowship

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long will the commitment be?
We ask our mentors and mentees to make commitments of at least one year to ensure the mentee will fully benefit from the relationship. If a mentor must leave the relationship early, we request at least one month’s notice so we may search for a replacement with a similar background. If a mentee also has to leave the program early, we ask to be notified so we may assess potential for improvement for the mentorship.

Is the mentor taking the role of a clinical supervisor?
No. Clinical questions may be discussed during mentorship; however, mentees must be aware that the mentor does not replace clinical supervision. Even if the mentee brings in information obtained during mentorship into his/her clinical work, all clinical decisions must be made by the mentee with his or her program supervisors.

Relationship is not going well or I am concerned about mentorship. What to do?
We encourage the mentors/mentees to directly discuss the situation. If no solution is agreed upon, please contact the ACLP Mentorship Subcommittee immediately. We will provide our full support to resolve the situation in a positive and satisfactory manner. 

Is the content of the mentorship encounter confidential?
Mentors and mentees are encouraged to maintain patient confidentiality as usual. Countertransference issues, personal life, and interactions with peers may become a part of the discussions during mentorship. We encourage mentors and mentees to clarify and agree upon the issues that should remain confidential. However, mentorship does not substitute psychotherapy and does not have the same confidentiality rules.

For questions, please contact the ACLP Mentorship Subcommittee chair at carrie.ernst@mssm.edu

Suggestion for Mentorship Meetings Structure

Resources for Mentors and Mentees