My passion for mentorship is deeply rooted in my own journey as a first-generation Asian American immigrant and graduate student. I had some exceptional supervisors and mentors, while others taught me important lessons about the kind of psychologist, supervisor, and mentor I wanted to become. Many of my supervisory relationships reflected a traditional expert-novice model—reinforcing my perception of supervisors as gatekeepers of the profession. This dynamic and power imbalance made it difficult to acknowledge uncertainty, ask for help, make mistakes, advocate for my learning needs, or express a different perspective.
These experiences also shaped my awareness of how culture, identity, and power intersect with professional development. Externally, I presented as eager, over-prepared, and perfectionistic, but internally, I struggled with the fear of making a mistake, disappointing a supervisor, or jeopardizing future opportunities. Looking back, I recognize that much of this fear reflected what I now understand as imposter syndrome. Over time, I came to recognize how important it is for mentorship to create space for curiosity, vulnerability, and growth—not simply performance.
Now, as a licensed psychologist who has served as a training director, supervisor, and mentor, I have come to appreciate the unique possibilities of a mentorship model that is intentionally mentee-centered. Unlike evaluative supervision, mentorship can provide a space where mentees have greater agency to identify what they need, determine what they would like to explore, and shape the direction of the relationship. This creates an opportunity for connection, reflection, professional development, and growth outside of the traditional power dynamics of evaluation.
I am therefore thrilled to join Chris Nguyen, PhD, as co-chair of the Mentorship Committee. This role feels especially meaningful because it allows me to give back in a way that reflects the mentorship experiences that have mattered most to me. I am passionate about creating mentorship spaces that are psychologically safe, culturally inclusive, collaborative, and welcoming to graduate students and early-career psychologists.
As I look ahead, I hope to expand the mentorship program beyond simply matching mentors and mentees. I envision cultivating a diverse community of connection and belonging, creating opportunities for mentors and mentees to learn from one another, facilitating meaningful conversations around professional identity and career transitions, and developing spaces where members can share wisdom, ask difficult questions, and support one another’s growth.
I am excited about what we can build together. My hope is that the Mentorship Committee can help create the kind of professional community that many of us needed—and that I was fortunate enough to experience through the mentors who made such a lasting difference in my own journey: a community where we can be curious, imperfect, supported, challenged, and genuinely invested in one another’s growth.
Jenny Yen, PsyD
Geropsychologist
Division 20 Adult Development & Aging
Mentorship Program co-chair