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What Is the Role of a Therapeutic Mentor?

What Is the Role of a Therapeutic Mentor?

Mental Health

We think of therapy as one person sitting down in front of another person, a therapist, and the two of them having a conversation, either in-person or online. We can expand this definition to include a family having a face-to-face or virtual conversation with a therapist. Either way, this kind of interaction exists somewhat outside the real world; issues are discussed, the therapist offers guidance and the patient, or patients, work to put said guidance into practice in their daily lives. This is a model that has worked well for countless people, but what if there were another way? What if there were a way to bring a mental health professional out into the real world, to offer support to patients in real-time?

This is precisely what therapeutic mentoring is all about. A therapeutic mentor bridges the gap between formal therapy and the real world by providing guidance, encouragement and hands-on support for patients in their everyday environments. This approach can be particularly beneficial for children, adolescents and families seeking additional tools to navigate emotional, social and behavioral challenges. Here’s how it works.

1. Defining a Therapeutic Mentor

A therapeutic mentor is a trained mental health professional who works closely with individuals—often youth—to build life skills, develop healthy coping strategies and promote emotional growth. While therapeutic mentors do have specialized training, they are not licensed therapists. Their role is distinct in that they focus on the practical, on providing goal-oriented support outside of the therapy room. This support can, and ideally should, complement the work of mental health clinicians. More on that later.

2. Key Responsibilities of a Mentor

Supporting Emotional and Social Development
Mentors help individuals recognize and manage emotions, improve communication and build stronger interpersonal relationships.
Assisting with Life Skills and Goal Setting
From academic organization to personal responsibility, therapeutic mentors guide youth in developing the skills needed for independence and success.
Offering Guidance in Real-World Situations
Whether it’s navigating social settings, problem-solving conflicts or managing daily responsibilities, therapeutic mentors provide hands-on support in real time.

3. Who Can Benefit From a Mentor?

Children and Adolescents Facing Emotional or Behavioral Challenges
Those who struggle with self-esteem, anxiety or peer relationships can benefit from consistent mentoring support.
Families seeking additional support for their children
Therapeutic mentoring is for children who need additional support beyond therapy.

4. Benefits of Therapeutic Mentoring

Building Trust and Positive Relationships
Mentors provide a reliable, encouraging presence that fosters trust and emotional safety.
Encouraging Independence and Confidence
With a mentor’s guidance, individuals learn to set and achieve personal goals, building self-confidence along the way.
Reinforcing Therapy Goals Outside of Clinical Sessions
Mentors help apply the lessons learned in therapy to everyday situations, ensuring greater long-term success.

5. How Therapeutic Mentoring Can Complement Other Services

Imagine that a therapeutic mentor is not just in contact with but collaborating with a patient’s therapist to coordinate mental health care; now there’s a powerful support system in place—made up of therapists, therapeutic mentors and families—working in concert to provide comprehensive, holistic support for those in need of help beyond the weekly therapy session. By acting as a bridge between therapy and daily life, therapeutic mentors reinforce overall therapeutic progress and help individuals navigate real-world challenges with greater resilience and greater potential for success.

The Therapeutic Mentor Will See You Now

There was a time when you went to see your doctor and actually saw your doctor, that is, the person with the M.D. after their name. Now, oftentimes, the person you see in the doctor’s office is a physician’s assistant: someone with more training than a nurse but less training than a medical doctor, someone who can help you with medical health concerns of a nature somewhere in between the capabilities of either. They bridge the gap. Similarly, in the field of mental health, therapeutic mentors bridge the gap between therapists and the real world. As such, they can play a vital role in helping individuals grow emotionally, socially and practically. By focusing on life skills, confidence-building and real-world problem-solving, mentors complement traditional therapy and help create lasting, positive change.If you or your family are looking for additional support in addition to therapy and psychiatry, therapeutic mentoring may be a powerful next step. At Advanced Behavioral Health, we offer just such a powerful service to our patients. Learn more.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.