Mentor Tips For ABCCAP Mentorship Process

The ABPP Mentor Role 
  • Read the current manual and website materials/resources so that your information is up to date. The exam manual can be found here.
  • Self-monitor your effectiveness and adjust as needed. The Mentorship Coordinator is available if you would like to discuss your approach.
  • Be available for a phone/video call (or a few) and emailed questions. This is not typically a long- term or prolonged mentorship relationship, but be responsive to your mentee.
  • Be sensitive to cultural and other differences.
  • Provide constructive feedback carefully and thoughtfully.
  • Answer questions about the process (check website and manual for updates).
  • Provide support during what can be an anxiety-provoking process.
  • DO NOT review written materials to provide feedback. You can discuss the nature of what is typically provided in the written materials in general terms. (Please note that the manual has detailed instructions and examples that are available to your mentee)
  • DO NOT share your Stage 2 materials with your mentee.
  • DO NOT make any statements guaranteeing to your mentee the likelihood of passing Stage 2 or Stage 3.
Possible Pitfalls
  • Poor match between mentor and protégé (i.e., senior option vs early option):
    • Request a new mentor/mentee match by emailing the Mentorship Coordinator.
  • Unrealistic expectations about the help you will provide:
    • Clarify role as mentor.
  • Not sure what to say/do in a situation:
    • Email all questions to the Mentorship Coordinator.
    • You are meant to be a helpful point of contact for the mentee. If you are unsure about the answer to a question, feel free to reach out to the Mentorship Coordinator as a next step. Some questions must be managed directly by the candidate, but if sending them in other directions, please take steps to ensure accurate information before doing so.
  • Poor clarity in the manual or website materials:
    • Errors or points of confusion should be brought to the attention of the Mentorship Coordinator.
    • Be sure that the candidate is using the appropriate version of the Exam Manual for their stage of candidacy.
  • Poor communication:
    • Provide constructive feedback about communication issues (preparedness for calls, vague questions, etc.)
  • Privacy:
    • The process of mentorship is intended to be separate from the examination process. As a general rule, conversations between mentors/mentees should remain private — although when questions or concerns arise, they should be directed to the Mentorship Coordinator.
    • Mentors do not have direct knowledge about previous steps of the mentee’s examination process, if applicable. For example, if a mentee previously submitted Stage 2 materials or participated in a Stage 3 exam and did not pass, the mentor will not be aware unless informed by the mentee. If such information is shared in the course of your mentoring relationship, please respect the mentee’s privacy and maintain the confidentiality of their examination experiences.
  • Relationship boundaries:
    • Clarify role as mentor.
  • Please report any concerns in this area to the Mentorship Coordinator!
  • If your mentee experiences any specific difficulties with the examination process, please encourage them to share feedback with the Mentorship Coordinator or another member of the ABCCAP Board of Directors. It is our goal to keep the exam process as collegial as possible and we welcome feedback!
Important points to make:
  • Encourage your mentee to read the ABCCAP exam manual carefully to become familiar with areas of competence that will be assessed during Stage 2 and Stage 3.
  • Prior to the call, encourage mentee to be prepared with questions.
  • Begin the conversation by clarifying roles and expectations and a general overview of the ABPP process.
  • Transition the conversation to specific questions or concerns by the mentee.
  • Encourage your mentee to select materials to submit to the committee that reflect his/her typical practice (and/or areas of expertise) and that address the areas of competence outlined in the ABCCAP exam manual.
  • Remind your mentee to be prepared to discuss the literature relevant to his/her areas of practice (and/or areas of expertise).
  • Encourage your mentee to present their Stage 2 materials in an organized and complete fashion and to be sure to adequately address all questions from committee members.
  • Strongly encourage your mentee to review ethics (e.g., review of the APA Ethics Code, ethics textbooks) prior to the oral exam.

Mentorship Coordinator: Sunnye Mayes, Ph.D., ABPP (sunnyem@med.umich.edu)