July 23, 2026
We are excited to announce the launch of our third Mentor Match Cohort!
Mentor Match is a simple, structured way to build real connections in our field. Mentors get a chance to strengthen leadership and support the next generation. Mentees get guidance, perspective, and a steady sounding board to bring questions and goals. No matter where you are in your career, mentorship can help you stay grounded, keep growing, and feel more connected to the AATA community.
The Mentor Match program is open only to AATA Members. Not yet a member? Learn more about AATA Membership.
Sign-ups will open Monday, July 27
What the Spring 2026 Cohort Worked On
- “I helped my mentee position herself while starting a new role in a school. She was the only art therapist and had minimal help or supervision at work.” — Spring 2026 Mentor
- “My mentor helped me navigate what it could look like to open a social enterprise.” — Spring 2026 Mentee
- “We worked on identifying my strengths for my resume and interviews. We made a timeline to help me acknowledge past successes and plan the steps I need to take toward my future goal of graduation. We also identified three acts of self-care to add to my weekly routine.” — Spring 2026 Mentee
- “My mentor walked me through the credentialing process and helped me get clearer on my career goals.” — Spring 2026 Mentee
Why Sign up?
- A five-month small cohort format. Cohorts launch twice a year and are capped at 40 mentors and 40 mentees, creating space for meaningful connections, not just within your match, but across your cohort as a whole.
- A dedicated community on MyAATA to stay in touch between the monthly calls and connect with all members of the cohort!
- Monthly Cohort Connection Calls hosted by AATA, with guided art directives and practical conversations about what’s coming up in your work and career, or anything relevant to your mentoring relationship.
- Improved matching filters that allow you to search by clinical interests, languages spoken, art techniques, and mentorship goals; whether that’s research, private practice development, school applications, or simply personal connection.
- Staff support when needed, including dedicated support from a member of the AATA National Staff able to help you find a mentor or mentee and answer any questions that come up throughout the process.
Our second cohort of 2026 kicks off in early September, and spots are limited, so don’t wait! Sign-ups will open on Monday, July 25, and close on September 1, or earlier if our cohort of 40 mentors and 40 mentees reaches capacity.
Watch our Mentor Match tutorial video to learn more…
If you have any questions not answered in the Mentor Match FAQs or the tutorial video, please reach out to AATA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Delaney Garver, at dgarver@arttherapy.org