Group Mentoring for International Counseling Psychology Students: A Case Example

Abstract

Despite the significant increase in international counseling psychology students, little attention has been paid toward effective mentoring for this population. Using Chan et al.’s (2015) multicultural, ecological, and relational model of mentoring as a framework, this article presents the content and the process of a mentoring group offered through the Korean Psychology Network (KPN) as an example of a culturally sensitive, relationship-focused, and strength-based mentoring group for international counseling psychology students. The content areas of the mentoring group included instrumental support for professional development, professional identity development, international competence, global job searches, compassionate witnessing of microaggressions, cultural invisibility, and empowerment and support for self-advocacy. The paper also describes how the reciprocal relationships between mentors and mentees, as well as peer mentoring, evolved over time. Implications for practice, advocacy, education and training, and research are discussed, and suggestions are made for creating an affirming mentoring community for international counseling psychology students.