The Science and Practice of Mentoring in Psychology Doctoral Training

Abstract

Mentorship in psychology doctoral training is considered by many professionals to be an important mechanism for student learning and development and to be associated with student career outcomes. To date, however, little is known about the empirical basis for mentorship in psychology doctoral training. In this article, we discuss the opportunities for mentorship and developing mentorship competence within the context of formalized doctoral training programs; we review the literature and evidence base for mentorship in general and effective psychology doctoral mentoring in particular; and we examine the barriers to evidence-based mentoring and offer suggestions for building an evidence base using the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement as a model. Finally, we offer reflections on our personal mentoring experiences.