The Interpersonal Vicissitudes of Mentorship:

Mentorship is a close interpersonal "helping relationship" between two individuals who are at different stages in their professional development. Mentorship is not imposed or prescribed, but often emerges spontaneously as a phenomenological expericance between field supervisors and students as a expansion of their supervisory role relationship. However, like other close relationships, mentorship is not without its interpersonal hazards. This study presents four phases of the mentor relationship; each with its respective developmental requirement and attendant favorable or unfavorable outcome. These phases reflect the unfolding attachment and separation processes of the mentor relationship as it evolves over time.