Found Path Mentoring
My Story:
Christian Zal-Herwitz, PhD
I will never forget the moment I realized I wanted to become a mental health professional. I was in my mid-20s, making a second attempt at getting my bachelor's degree at night school after dropping out of art school some years earlier. My day job was as an administrative assistant, and I would often grab lunch with a friend, where we would have engaging conversations about our lives. At the end of one such conversation, my friend turned to me and said, "ya'know, you would make a kickass therapist"—and it just clicked.
Getting to graduate school from there was neither quick nor smooth. I had no roadmap and no obvious mentor, and I spent years piecing together guidance from whichever professionals were generous enough to give it—someone to read an essay here, someone to help me think through program choices there. I know what it feels like to be uncertain whether you are on the right track, whether your application is competitive, whether you even belong in this field. I applied, received one interview offer, and got in. What I learned navigating that process without a clear guide has shaped everything I now bring to this work.
I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology and went on to build a career that has been, at its core, about people—as a clinical psychologist for nearly a decade, as a trainer and supervisor of predoctoral interns, and as the founder of a formal diversity mentoring program. Throughout all of it, mentoring aspiring professionals has been among the work I find most meaningful. And beyond my work with trainees already in graduate programs, I have spent years quietly doing what Found Path Mentoring now does openly—helping people decide whether graduate school is right for them, identify the right programs, and put together the strongest possible application. I have walked alongside colleagues and trainees through every step of that process and watched them cross the finish line—accepted into the programs they worked so hard to reach. That is the work that led me here.
Found Path Mentoring grew out of a simple belief: that nobody should have to navigate this process alone, and that the right guidance at the right moment can change everything. I know that from the inside. And I would be honored to walk this path with you.
What Mentees Have Said
Dr. Zal-Herwitz offered thoughtful, practical advice and concrete resources from our very first meeting. What stood out most was his continued support throughout the entire application process—he consistently followed up, was always available, and helped me go through the process feeling confident and well-supported.
— Julie T · Massachusetts
Dr. Zal-Herwitz blended enthusiasm, warmth, and extensive knowledge in a way that made curiosity and reflection feel genuinely welcome. When we worked together around cultural humility, intersectionality, and systemic equity, the conversations that emerged continue to shape how I show up with clients every day—he approached these topics with openness, compassion, and accountability that made it safe to grow.
— Dr. Molly M · Illinois
Navigating the graduate school process felt overwhelming and intimidating—I was unsure of how to present myself as a strong, competitive candidate. Dr. Zal-Herwitz listened to my concerns, gave me the feedback I needed to showcase my strengths, and helped me evaluate my options and tailor them to my long-term goals. Having a mentor like Dr. Zal-Herwitz helped me feel supported and prepared for what otherwise may have been a daunting process—and with his guidance, I received an offer from a clinical psychology PsyD program.
— Julia J, LCPC · Missouri
During my graduate training and in the years since, Dr. Zal-Herwitz has been among the most formative mentors in my professional development. He fosters independence while remaining genuinely invested—and what stands out most is his unwavering dedication to the people he works with, balancing compassion and clinical precision in a way I continue to carry into my own practice.
— Dr. Chelsey M · Arizona
Mentorship with Dr. Zal-Herwitz is warm, conversational, and consistently centered around your goals—he regularly revisits what you need to make sure the work stays meaningful. His honest feedback is constructed in a way that empowers your uniqueness, and his diverse experience across training and professional environments means the advice he offers is both practical and genuinely helpful.
— Dr. Aaron S · Montana
I consider my experience with Dr. Zal-Herwitz to be a definitive model of what active, collaborative mentorship should look like. He dove into the work with me as a true partner—empowering me to lead based on my own curiosities while meeting me with rigorous diligence and deeply personal warmth. My experience felt like a bespoke and deeply invested partnership with a mentor as dedicated to his own continuous growth as he is to the growth of those he guides.
— Dr. Danielle H · California
If any of what you have read here resonates—I would love to talk. The first conversation is free, and there is no obligation to move forward.
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