A therapist treats mental health concerns, a coach builds one skill area such as executive function or a career step, a tutor teaches a subject, and a mentor helps a teen or young adult with practical goals across daily life and keeps following up; many families use a therapist and a mentor together. Blackburn Mentoring offers one-on-one mentoring and coaching for teens 13 and up, college students and young adults by video nationwide and in person in Los Angeles, since 2014, starting with a free 20 minute intro call.
Choosing a mentor, therapist or coach for your teen? A therapist is a licensed clinician who treats mental health concerns. A tutor teaches a subject. A coach builds one skill area. A mentor helps with practical goals across daily life and keeps follow-through going. Blackburn Mentoring ((888) 305-5422) provides mentoring by video nationwide and in person in Los Angeles, not therapy.
Side by side: mentor, therapist, tutor and coach
| Mentor | Therapist | Tutor | Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main job | Practical goals and follow-through across daily life | Diagnose and treat mental health concerns | Teach a subject or test skills | Improve performance in one area |
| Licensed? | No | Yes, a state license is required | No (some are certified teachers) | No license required |
| Typical focus | Routines, school habits, work, money, independence | Anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, patterns | Math, writing, science, test prep | Career, a sport, executive function, a single goal |
| How often | Weekly or more, with check-ins between sessions | Usually weekly | Weekly or before tests | Weekly or every other week |
| Good first choice when | A capable teen or young adult is stuck on motivation, organization or direction | There is persistent sadness, anxiety, panic, self-harm, substance use or trauma | Grades are low because the material is not understood | One clear goal needs focused practice |
| Works with the others? | Yes, with written permission | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What does a therapist do?
A therapist is a licensed mental health professional who assesses and treats emotional and psychological concerns such as anxiety, depression and trauma, and the patterns behind them. Therapy usually happens in scheduled sessions, in an office or by video. If you are worried about your teen’s safety or mental health, a therapist or doctor is the right first call.
What does a tutor do?
A tutor teaches content: algebra, chemistry, essay writing, test prep. Tutoring works when a student does not understand the material. It usually does not cover the reasons work does not get started or turned in. For that difference in detail, see mentor vs tutor and executive function coach vs tutor.
What does a coach do?
A coach usually focuses on one area and works toward specific goals in that area through scheduled sessions: a career move, a sport, or skills like planning and time management. An executive function coach is a common choice for students who struggle with organization. See what is coaching for more.
What does a mentor do?
A mentor focuses on practical action across daily life: school, work, money, health, routine and relationships. Mentors meet with clients in person or by video, stay in touch between sessions and help them follow through on goals they chose. Mentors are not therapists, and a good mentor will say when something needs a tutor, a doctor or a licensed clinician instead. See what does a mentor do.
Which one does your teen or young adult need?
| If the main issue is | Start with |
|---|---|
| Not understanding the material in a class | A tutor |
| Knowing what to do but not doing it | A mentor or executive function coach |
| No direction, low motivation, stuck at home | A mentor |
| Persistent sadness, anxiety, panic, self-harm or substance use | A therapist or doctor first |
| One performance goal, such as a career move | A coach |
| Several of these at once | Usually a clinician plus a mentor, with permission to talk |
Parents of teens can also use the checklist for choosing a mentor for your teen, and families in Los Angeles can compare a tutor, mentor, therapist or admissions consultant side by side.
Using a mentor and a therapist together
Many people work with both. The therapist works on the thoughts, emotions and history underneath; the mentor turns progress into daily action. At Blackburn Mentoring, a mentor talks with a client’s therapist only after written permission. See can a teen see a mentor and a therapist at the same time?
Where a sponsor fits
For people in a 12 Step program, a sponsor is a fellow member who guides others through the Steps as a volunteer. A mentor does not replace a sponsor; mentors focus on practical goals. See mentoring for people in recovery.
Related
- One-on-one mentoring
- How mentoring works
- Paid mentor vs volunteer mentoring program
- Academic coach vs mentor vs executive function coach
- Coach vs career coach
- Online mentoring for teens
Common questions
What is the difference between a mentor, a therapist, a tutor and a coach?
A therapist is a licensed clinician who treats mental health concerns. A tutor teaches a school subject. A coach works on performance in one area, such as a career, a sport or executive function skills. A mentor helps with practical goals across daily life, such as school, work, money and routines, and keeps follow-through going between sessions.
Does my teen need a mentor or a therapist?
If the main concern is persistent sadness, anxiety, panic, self-harm, substance use or trauma, start with a therapist or other licensed clinician. If your teen is capable but stuck on motivation, organization or direction, a mentor is often the better fit. Many teens benefit from both, with the two in contact only after written permission.
Is a mentor the same as a tutor?
No. A tutor teaches the content of a subject. A mentor helps with the habits, planning and follow-through around schoolwork and life. If grades are low because the material is not understood, start with a tutor.
Is a mentor the same as a coach?
The roles overlap. Both focus on goals and accountability. A coach usually works on one area, while a mentor works across school, work, money, routines and relationships. Blackburn Mentoring offers mentoring and coaching by video nationwide and in person in Los Angeles.
Can a mentor replace therapy?
No. Mentors are not licensed clinicians and do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. A mentor can work alongside a therapist on practical goals.
Do I need a mentor if I already have a therapist?
They serve different purposes. A therapist works on the emotional side, while a mentor helps with practical goals like work, school, money and routine. Many people benefit from both.
Should my teen see a mentor, a therapist or a coach first?
Start with a therapist if sadness, anxiety, self-harm, substance use or a sharp change in behavior is part of the picture; in a crisis, call or text 988. Choose a tutor for one subject, a coach for one skill area, and a mentor when a capable teen is stuck on motivation, routines or follow-through across school and home.
Should my young adult see a mentor, a therapist or a coach?
A therapist when anxiety, depression, trauma or substance use is part of the picture. A coach for one specific skill. A mentor when the young adult needs structure, follow-through and help with work, school and independence across daily life. Mentoring and therapy often work best together.
Can one person be both a mentor and a coach?
Yes. At Blackburn Mentoring, mentors also coach specific skills such as executive function, accountability and job searching. They are not therapists, and they work alongside a therapist when a client has one.
Get started
Not sure which kind of help fits? 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 intro call.
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Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.