G.O.A.L Mentoring

Mentoring is different than therapy. Unlike a therapist, a mentor does not and cannot formally evaluate, diagnose or treat mental illness in their participants - only properly licensed mental health clinicians can do that. 

A mentoring relationship is about a Mentor and Student creating shared experiences and enjoying what life has to offer, together. Mentors are outdoor guides and adventure sports coaches who listen, reflect, validate, and motivate students, but are not trained psychotherapists. Mentors will support students in reflecting on their past and may offer tools for navigating life's challenges. However, mentors are primarily focused on helping students fully enjoy the present moment, identify their needs/desires, and set achievable goals for their future. Mentors encourage students to move towards the life they want to create while serving as an accountability partner who role models direct, compassionate communication and self awareness.

In general, we recommend that parents collaborate to organize mentoring groups. Young people are social beings who yearn to understand their role in society, in school, and at home. Groups are wonderful because mentors can foster positive communication between participants and help create group social norms that uplift students' consciousness and disrupt harmful patterns of relating. Also, it is generally easier to push oneself and take risks in groups. Water is cold and hills are steep, but most things are easier when your friends do it too!

Individual mentoring is great for students who are:

• singularly focused and motivated to learn a particular skill (i.e., surfing, biking, animal tracking, fire-by-friction, etc.)
• yearning for attention and support from a caring, compassionate adult figure in their life. 
• more introverted and do better with individualized care, or who are working towards overcoming social anxiety.