A longstanding passion of mine has been exploring leadership opportunities and finding ways to develop my skills as a leader; in training, research, mentorship, and more. I love being able to interact with people, those similar to me and those different from me, and sharing my experiences and providing opportunities, tips, and support for their growth. I also happen to find leadership to be a very symbiotic relationship where I can learn and grow from those I “lead” - what better arrangement is there!

I have been lucky to have met wonderful mentors along the way who have inspired and encouraged me in all things clinical care, research, professional development, and leadership. However, because I believe you can never stop learning, growing, and capturing inspiration, I have continued to seek out and accept more such opportunities. Enter: CDLP. ADAA’s Alies Muskin Career Development Leadership Program (CDLP) is a gift. I was encouraged to apply by a mentor within my institution and I am so very glad I did. I was selected for the 2020 convention year, but with the pandemic and the delay of the convention to 2021, I had to sit tight for one more year. When the program happened in March 2021, it was of course virtual. It was not quite clear how a virtual conference could facilitate a robust leadership program with mentoring and networking, but by the grace of the wonderful organization it happened beautifully. The program consisted of a full-day of events featuring lectures, a Q&A panel, a meeting with my mentor, and more. 

When selected for this program after the application process, you are paired with a mentor who is a long-time ADAA member and aficionado. That mentor schedules regular meetings with you to help you achieve whatever goals you may have. My meetings have been wonderfully tailored to my interests, which include considering writing a book, taking my institutional media role to new heights, and considering ways to learn more about corporate consulting within evidence-based practice. My mentor helps me set goals that are ever-so-slightly aspirational, but still achievable; it is great because she pushes me enough to help me check any self-limiting beliefs, while also helping me be concrete about my goals to make them reasonable enough to execute. I very much appreciate having “homework” exercises that inspire me; it allows me to hold on to inspiration slow and steady such that it does not deflate along the way.

As part of the leadership roles I already have, I run a predoctoral externship program and am the chair of an organization. I appreciate that the goals I set, exercises I use, and all-around life tips I get from my CDLP mentorship helps me also become a better leader. It fosters ideas for how I can support and lift up those learning from me to, so-to-speak, keep the mentorship train going. I like to pass it on and this gives me fuel to do so. 

If you are considering applying or know someone who may be a good fit for CDLP - go for it. You will not regret it. In a world where we may be trying to condition ourselves to saying “no” to opportunities that may not serve us, this is one to consider saying “yes” to. Invest in yourself, it will be worth it. 

Click Here to Begin Your 2022 Submission