Entertainment business managers, talent managers and agents are often the first people a client confides in when a teenager is drifting, a young performer’s school is slipping or an adult child cannot get started. This page explains how you can suggest one-on-one mentoring for a client’s son or daughter: what it is, how to raise it, how the family makes contact, and what stays private. Blackburn Mentoring works with high school and college students, young adults and young professionals, by video anywhere in the United States and in person in Los Angeles. The family decides everything; your role stays exactly what it is.
Situations where professionals tend to think of mentoring
- A client is going on location for months and worries about a teenager at home.
- A client’s child is a working performer and grades or attendance are slipping. Read how school works on set in California.
- A young adult child has finished school, or left it, and has no plan, routine or job.
- A client’s adult child is starting their own industry career as an assistant or creative. See mentoring for young adults starting in entertainment.
- A family going through a move, a separation or a public moment wants a steady, neutral adult for the kids.
Mentoring is not a fit for a crisis, clinical treatment, legal problems or security concerns. If a client’s child may be in danger, the right step is emergency help or a licensed professional; in a crisis, call or text 988. For a client or family member who needs therapy or psychiatry, Blackburn Clinical Services, our sister practice, has a page for business managers, talent managers and agents.
How to raise it with a client
Keep it light and optional. Something like: “Some families I work with have found it helpful to have a mentor for their kids, someone who meets with them every week by video and helps with school, routines and goals. Would it be useful if I sent you the information?” Then send this page or our phone number and let the client decide. You do not need to describe the child’s situation to us, and we will not ask you to.
What happens after you suggest it
- The parent, or the young adult, calls (888) 305-5422, emails contact@blackburnmentoring.com or completes the short assessment at get started. You can make an introduction by email if the family asks you to.
- A free 20 minute intro call by video with a parent and, usually, the young person.
- If the family wants to go ahead, we match the young person with one mentor, usually within two business days.
- Sessions are 60 minutes, weekly or several times a week, with early morning, evening and weekend times and text check-ins between sessions.
- Who pays is agreed openly with the family before anything starts. We do not publish prices.
What you will and will not hear from us
- By default, nothing. We do not report to the person who made the introduction.
- If the family wants you to know the engagement is active, for example to coordinate scheduling or payment, they can give written consent for us to share engagement level only.
- We never share what is said in sessions, and we do not provide detailed reports to third parties.
Discretion
Mentors do not post about clients, discuss clients with media or name families to anyone. Sessions can be entirely by video, so the young person never needs to visit an office. If the family prefers, a parent’s assistant can handle scheduling.
Why one mentor rather than a program
- Consistency. The same person every week, through travel, seasons and school years.
- It travels. Video sessions continue on location, on tour and between homes.
- It fits around other professionals. Tutors, therapists and schools stay in their roles; the mentor works on follow-through and coordinates with them only with permission.
- Long relationships. Blackburn Mentoring founders Robby Patrick and Nathan James started mentoring together in 2014.
Related
- Mentoring for entertainment industry families
- Teens and young adults in entertainment industry families
- Mentoring for young performers
- Mentoring for clients of sports agencies and talent managers
- For professionals
- Referral sheet
Common questions
Does the family have to say who suggested us?
No. The family can contact us directly without naming anyone, and an introduction never obligates them to go ahead.
Will you update me after I make an introduction?
Only if the family gives written consent, and then only on engagement level, such as whether sessions are active. Session content is never shared.
Can our office handle scheduling or payment for a client’s family?
If the family asks you to, yes. Payment and logistics are agreed openly with the family before starting.
What ages do you work with?
High school students, college students, young adults and young professionals.
Is mentoring a substitute for therapy or treatment?
No. Mentors are not therapists. If a young person needs clinical care, a licensed professional is the right step, and a mentor can work alongside that with permission.
Do you work outside Los Angeles?
Yes. Sessions are by video anywhere in the United States, and in person in Los Angeles.
Get started
Want information to pass along to a client’s family? Call (888) 305-5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free 20 minute intro call.
Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.