Massage Therapy Journal Winter 2024

68 • Massage Therapy Journal

Three Tips for Ensuring A Successful Mentoring Relationship

Massage therapists may also approach a therapist they know and trust and ask if they’d be open to a mentorship. Often, massage educators are elated to have the opportunity to mentor past students. Sometimes, too, massage therapists may benefit from mentors in other related health professions, such as physical therapists, osteopathic physicians and chiropractors. Peer mentorship is another option for creating valuable mentoring relationships. In peer mentorship, the arrangement is not based on a more experienced professional guiding a less experienced professional but rather professionals with similar experience levels collaborating in a mentorship capacity. Peer mentorship groups might include three to five professionals who support one another. At the start of the mentoring relationship, it’s important to be specific in establishing expectations and time commitments. Set a schedule of meetings or other interactions. For example, you might commit to having coffee together for an hour once a month or meeting each Monday for 20 minutes by phone or video. Agree on a length of time to work together and do a check-in at set intervals to make sure the arrangement is mutually working. Be clear about goals and desired outcomes. Using tools such as setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) for professional development or conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) for business planning can be helpful to work strategically and track progress. Mentorship can be useful to help massage therapists grow professionally and achieve their goals. Mentorship relationships that foster competency, autonomy and relatedness can help foster high-level motivation and build success. Serving as a mentor or participating in peer mentorship or a mentoring group are meaningful ways to give back to our profession.

1 Agree on the length of time to work together, and do check-ins at regular intervals to ensure the relationship is working for you both. 2 Be specific about expectations and time commitments. Set a schedule for meetings or other interactions—and stick to it! 3 Get clear and specific about goals and desired outcomes. Consider using tools like SMART goals and SWOT analysis to track progress.

are important and meaningful, these relationships exist solely for the therapeutic benefit of the client, which may put a further drain on the therapist. Since mentorship at its foundation is a relationship, engaging in the process can help fulfill the need for relatedness and connection for both the mentee and mentor. Another way the mentor can help the mentee in meeting their need for relatedness is by making introductions to professionals for networking and support. coworkers or colleagues, and provide support to the mentee in creating a good work-life balance so that they have time to cultivate and benefit from personal relationships outside of work. There are also real benefits for the mentor, too. Serving as a mentor can help develop and fine-tune skills in areas such as leadership and communication. Additionally, mentoring can help expand our networks and professional connections. Most of all, helping others feels good. How to Find A Mentor Massage therapists can find a mentor in a variety of ways. AMTA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent way of finding a mentor or, if you have experience to share, becoming a mentor. Mentors may also help the mentee navigate relationship difficulties with

Mentoring can be defined as a sustained relationship between an experienced, trusted person who offers advice and guidance to a less experienced person.

MORE INFORMATLION For information on how to find a mentor—or become a mentor—visit amtamassage.org/ mentoring . There, you’ll also find 10 tips for a successful mentor mentee relationship.

amtamassage.org/mtj