Find a Mentor or Coach

One area that is highly underutilized in physical therapy is the opportunity to engage with mentors and coaches. These relationships can be invaluable in accelerating your growth, improving your practice, and helping you navigate your career more effectively.

The Power of Mentorship and Coaching

If you study high-performing individuals, one consistent theme emerges: they all had mentors or coaches at some point in their journey. For some, mentorship came in the form of books they read throughout their lives. For others, it was the colleagues they worked with or learned from. Many sought out accomplished individuals to guide them. Regardless of the medium, successful people have always leveraged external resources to grow both personally and professionally.

And the same applies to us in physical therapy!

Increasing Opportunities in Physical Therapy

Fortunately, more leaders and organizations within the physical therapy industry are recognizing the value of mentorship. Many now offer mentorship programs as a benefit to employees, which is a fantastic step forward. However, there is still significant room for growth in this area.

Imagine how beneficial it would be to have mentors, coaches, and leaders continually guiding you throughout your career—helping you overcome challenges, improve your skills, and achieve greater success.

How to Find a Mentor or Coach

If this idea resonates with you, start seeking opportunities where mentorship is available. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is in the process of developing mentorship programs to support therapists who may not have access to mentorship at their current workplace. Additionally, many individuals are beginning to offer coaching services aimed at helping physical therapists succeed.

Whether you’re:

• A new graduate looking for guidance during your first 1-2 years of practice

• Stepping into a management role and seeking advice from an experienced colleague

• Launching your own practice and needing an executive coach to guide you through the process

The bottom line is: seek out mentors and coaches who can help you navigate these transitions.

My Personal Experience

For what it’s worth, I currently work with an executive coach who has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. The insights, strategies, and encouragement I’ve received have had a profound impact on my career trajectory.

Final Thoughts

Don’t underestimate the value of mentorship and coaching. High-performing individuals across all industries use these resources to reach their goals—and so should you. Whether through formal programs, informal relationships, or professional coaching services, take advantage of the opportunities available to learn, grow, and succeed.