The American Herbalists Guild (AHG) is committed to supporting the mentoring process by providing resources for both student practitioners and experienced herbalists serving as mentors. Mentorship, much like a traditional apprenticeship, is one of society’s oldest forms of experiential education. In many cultures, herbal training occurs almost exclusively in a setting where experienced herbalists work closely with others to share their accumulated wisdom. The structure of these relationships varies widely, but all have in common the desire to share information while offering support, guidance and critical feedback.
There is a growing need for clinical training for student practitioners, but because only a handful of clinical herbal training programs are currently available, the AHG encourages mentorship as a way for student practitioners to become confident, skilled clinical herbalists. Often those who have completed extensive training in herbal medicine (which may or may not have included a clinical component) are actively seeking the support and guidance of an experienced clinical herbalist to act as a mentor.
How We Support Mentorship
- Mentor Directory – An online listing of professional Registered Herbalist AHG members who are available for clinical supervision and mentorship.
- Mentor & Student Meeting at the Annual AHG Symposium – A dedicated event where students and practitioners can connect, network, and establish mentoring relationships in an informal setting.
The AHG Mentoring Program
The AHG Mentoring Program is designed to support student practitioners (mentees) as they develop their clinical skills while also assisting mentors in structuring their guidance.
By strengthening the mentoring process, AHG aims to bridge the gap between formal herbal training and the development of a successful clinical practice. While this program is especially valuable for those seeking to apply for Registered Herbalist (RH) membership, it is also available to all herbal practitioners striving for a high level of clinical competency.
Clinical & Mentorship Templates
AHG provides the following collection of downloadable mentorship and clinical practice templates in our member portal, available to all AHG members:
Mentorship Support Documents:
- AHG Mentorship Checklist
- Mentor Evaluation of Student Practitioner
- Mentorship Contact Hours Log
- Mentorship Contract Template
- Mentorship Final Report
- Mentorship Liability Release
- Student Practitioner Mentorship Application
- Student Practitioner Evaluation of Mentor
- Student Self-Evaluation
Clinical Practice Templates:
- Case Review Form
- Client Contact Hours Log
- Client Data File Template
- Client Protocol Form
- Food Diary
- Health History Intake #1 & #2
- Medications and Supplements
By offering these tools and resources, AHG fosters a structured and supportive mentoring experience, helping student practitioners transition confidently into professional clinical practice.