Mentorship
During my internship at Penndel Mental Health Center, I was fortunate to receive consistent mentoring from the site’s supervision staff. Their guidance was central in shaping my growth as a counselor-in-training. Through structured supervision, open feedback, and modeled professionalism, I gained exposure to a wide variety of client populations and presenting concerns. Over the course of my internship, I logged more than 700 internship hours, which included individual counseling, group facilitation, crisis support, and case management activities. These experiences were made more meaningful because of the mentors who encouraged me to reflect on each session, ask questions, and integrate both theoretical and practical approaches into my work. Their mentorship not only refined my clinical skills but also provided an example of professional integrity and ethical responsibility that I aim to carry forward into my own career.
In addition to the mentorship received at my site, my coursework also emphasized the importance of mentorship as an element of effective counseling. A strong example of this was my career counseling case study presentation on Vincent Arroyo, a fictional client navigating cultural identity, career uncertainty, and personal development. In that project, I applied Holland’s RIASEC model, developmental theory, and culturally competent practices to mentor Vincent through a process of career exploration and decision-making. Much like the guidance I received from supervisors at Penndel, my goal in the case study was to balance structure with empathy, ensuring the client had both practical tools and a supportive environment to foster growth. This project highlighted the dual role of mentorship in counseling: both being mentored by experienced professionals and learning to serve as a mentor for clients as they confront significant life challenges.
Taken together, these experiences affirm that mentorship is a cornerstone of counselor development. At Penndel, I was mentored in the art of clinical practice, and in my academic work, I applied those same principles to foster resilience and clarity in the clients I studied. Both realms have deepened my appreciation for the reciprocal and transformative nature of mentorship in the counseling profession.
