Mentor Skills Lab

Establishes the foundation of AMS mentorship, including role clarity, ethical boundaries, and the distinction between mentorship and therapy. Mentors learn how to center the mentee’s experience, use intentional language, and create spaces rooted in belonging, agency, and nonjudgment.

Builds the mindset and practice of coachability—helping mentors remain open, curious, and responsive to feedback. This module emphasizes reflection, humility, and continuous learning as essential components of strong mentoring relationships.

Teaches mentors how to share their own stories with intention and care. Using strategic story sharing frameworks, mentors learn how to connect through lived experience while maintaining appropriate boundaries and keeping the focus on the mentee.

Introduces a developmental framework for understanding adoptee identity and awareness. Mentors learn how adoptees may experience and interpret their stories over time, allowing for more nuanced, developmentally attuned support.

Focuses on core interpersonal skills including open-ended questioning, reflective listening, emotional attunement, and pacing. Mentors practice how to build trust, deepen conversations, and respond effectively to a range of mentee dynamics.

Equips mentors with tools to establish trust early and co-create meaningful goals with mentees. Emphasis is placed on curiosity, validation, and aligning sessions with the mentee’s needs and motivations.

Explores the impact of race, identity, and systemic inequities within adoption. Mentors develop the awareness and language needed to navigate conversations about race with sensitivity, accountability, and care.

Prepares mentors to lead group spaces that are engaging, balanced, and emotionally safe. Mentors learn how to guide conversations, encourage participation, manage silence, and hold multiple adoptee experiences at once.

Focuses on building and sustaining mentor community through roundtables and peer support. Mentors learn how to collaborate, share insights, and strengthen collective learning within AMS.