DNT Network Mentor Guide: What to Expect as a First-Time Mentor
Thank you for joining the DNT Network Mentor Program. Our mentors play an important role in helping students complete their certification requirements and gain a realistic understanding of what it’s like to work in the birth, postpartum, lactation, sleep, fertility, NCS, and perinatal mental health fields. This guide outlines what to expect, what your role includes, the structure of a typical mentor session, and your required steps after each student meeting.
1. What the Mentor Role Includes
Mentors support students by providing:
Support and clarity.
You help students understand the realities of this work, ask questions, and gain confidence as they move toward certification.
Professional and practical insight.
Students want to hear your lived experience—how you started, how you find clients, and what you’ve learned along the way.
Interview evaluation.
Each student is required to complete an interview with a mentor. After the interview, you will fill out a short Interview Critique Form. This form helps the review team assess the student’s professionalism, preparedness, and communication skills.
A model of professionalism.
Your presence and communication style help demonstrate what client interactions should look like. This role does not involve teaching, grading assignments, or reviewing coursework. It is simply a conversation and brief evaluation after.
2. What to Expect During a Mentor Session
Most mentor interviews are 20–30 minutes and can be done through phone, Zoom, FaceTime, or any simple video/voice platform you prefer.
A typical session follows this structure:
Opening (2–3 minutes)
Introduce yourself with your name, your certifications and/or professional background, the type of work you do, and your service area. This helps students feel at ease.
Student Questions (10–15 minutes)
Students are required to ask you questions about your practice. Some come prepared with a list; others may need encouragement. All you need to do is respond honestly based on your experience.
Mentor Guidance (5–10 minutes)
Students often appreciate practical advice. You may share:
How you found your first clients
How you set boundaries and manage communication
What tools or resources you rely on
Challenges you encountered when you were starting
What you wish you knew earlier in your career
Closing (2–3 minutes)
Wrap up by wishing them well and letting them know you will complete the Interview Critique Form.
3. Example Questions Students Commonly Ask
Students may ask questions along these lines:
About your path and training
What made you pursue this profession?
Which training or certification helped you the most?
About real-world practice
What does a typical client session or shift look like?
How did you find your first few clients?
How do you decide your rates?
About business operations
How do you structure communication with clients?
What paperwork or forms do you use?
What scheduling systems do you find helpful?
About challenges
What challenges did you face early on?
How do you handle difficult client situations?
About advice for beginners
What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting?
What should someone new to this field focus on first?
There are no right or wrong answers. Students want to hear your honest, practical insights.
4. Required Step After Each Interview: The Interview Critique Form
After every mentor session, mentors must complete the Interview Critique Form.
This form allows our review team to evaluate whether a student demonstrates:
professionalism
basic understanding of the field
clarity in communication
preparedness and seriousness
ability to self-reflect
The form takes about three to five minutes to complete. If a student needs improvement, simply note it in the form. Our review team will follow up with them directly.
Thank you for being willing to guide new professionals entering this work. Mentors shape the next generation of doulas, newborn care specialists, lactation counselors, sleep consultants, and perinatal mental health specialists. Your voice and experience make a real difference in someone’s journey. Read a recent story between a DNT Network mentor and a mentee.
If you ever have questions or would like additional support, we are here to help.
