These are the questions families and clients ask Blackburn Mentoring most often. In short: one-on-one mentoring for teens 13 and up, college students and young adults, by video anywhere in the United States and in person in Los Angeles, starting with a free intro call. It is not therapy. If your question is not here, call (888) 305-5422.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mentor?
A mentor is a professional who helps you build practical skills and structure in work, school, money, health and relationships, and keeps you accountable to your goals.
Is Blackburn Mentoring part of The Blackburn Foundation?
No. Blackburn Mentoring is part of The Blackburn Group, a Los Angeles organization. The Blackburn Foundation is a separate nonprofit, and Blackburn Mentoring is not an affiliate or program of the Foundation.
Who is mentoring for?
Teens 13 and up (with a parent or guardian involved for high school students), college students, young adults and adults who want structure, direction and someone in their corner, including people going through a big transition such as starting college, changing careers or moving out on their own.
How often will I meet with my mentor?
Most clients meet weekly or several times a week, in person or by video, with text and phone contact in between. Sessions run 60 minutes.
Is a mentor a therapist?
No. Mentors focus on action and practical progress. When a client has a therapist, mentors work alongside them and, with permission, keep them informed.
Will my family get updates?
Only if you want them to. With your permission, mentors can share progress updates with family and with other professionals in your life.
What areas of life does mentoring cover?
Career and education, money and life skills, health and fitness, relationships and family, and accountability and structure.
How long does mentoring last?
It depends on each person. Some clients work with a mentor during a specific transition, and others continue longer as they build independence.
Where do you provide mentoring?
In person across Los Angeles, including Venice, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Culver City and the rest of the Westside, and by video for clients anywhere.
Do you offer virtual mentoring?
Yes. Virtual mentoring works the same way as in-person mentoring, with scheduled video sessions and contact in between.
How do I get started?
Fill out a short assessment. Our team reviews it personally and reaches out to schedule a free intro call.
Questions by topic
If your question is about a specific stage of life, these pages go deeper than the answers here:
- Starting out: what happens in the first session and how matching works
- Scheduling: how often to meet with a mentor and online vs in-person mentoring
- Parents: what progress updates include and mentoring for families
- Value and cost: is mentoring worth it? and what coaching and mentoring cost
Quick facts
- One dedicated mentor for each client.
- Sessions of 60 minutes, weekly or several times a week, with text and phone contact between sessions.
- By video anywhere in the United States, or in person in Los Angeles.
- Rates are reviewed on the free intro call.
- See Blackburn Mentoring facts for more, and the glossary for terms.
More questions
How much does mentoring cost?
We go over cost on the free intro call. See what coaching and mentoring cost for how pricing usually works in the field.
What happens on the free intro call?
After you complete the five-minute assessment, a member of our team reviews it personally and sets up a short call to talk through goals, schedule and fit. For middle and high school students, a parent or guardian is welcome to join.
How do you match clients with a mentor?
We pair each client with a mentor whose experience and style fit their goals and personality. See how matching works.
What happens between sessions?
Mentors stay in touch by text and phone, checking in on the steps that are most likely to slip. See support between sessions.
Do parents get involved when the client is a high school student?
Yes, always. A parent or guardian can join the intro call, agree on goals and receive regular progress updates.
Can a mentor coordinate with a therapist, school counselor or doctor?
Yes, with the client’s permission. Mentors coordinate with professionals already involved, and do not provide therapy, tutoring, medical care or admissions counseling.
How is a mentor different from a tutor?
A tutor teaches a subject. A mentor works on the habits around school and life: planning the week, motivation and follow-through. See mentor vs tutor.
What if my mentor cancels or misses a meeting?
It never counts against your plan. Only meetings you hold, or ones you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, count toward your monthly meetings.
Can I book my own meetings?
Yes. Once you are a client, the app shows your mentor’s open times in your own time zone, and you can book, move or cancel a meeting yourself.
Do unused meetings roll over?
No. Each billing month starts fresh, and your home screen in the app shows how many meetings you have left.
Do video and in person meetings cost the same?
Yes. Video anywhere in the US and in person meetings in Los Angeles are the same price.
Can a parent pay while the client runs their own account?
Yes. A parent or family member can be set as the payer and gets the receipts and billing emails, while the client keeps their own login, schedule and messages.
How do I pause or cancel my plan?
From your phone, in the app. You can pause for 1 to 4 weeks, or cancel and keep your plan until the end of the billing month, with no calls or forms. We also email you three days before every renewal.
Can I change mentors?
Yes. If the fit is not right, tell us and we will match you with a different mentor.
Who founded Blackburn Mentoring?
Robby Patrick and Nathan James, who began mentoring together in Los Angeles in 2014. See about us.
Related
- Our Approach to Mentoring and Coaching
- How Parents Stay Informed: Mentoring Progress Updates
- Mentoring Support Between Sessions: Text and Phone
- How Matching With a Mentor Works
- How to Refer a Student to Blackburn Mentoring
- How much does a mentor cost?
- What does a mentor do?
Get started
Talk with our team about mentoring. Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. We will listen, answer your questions and help you decide whether mentoring is the right fit.
Last updated .
Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.