Yes, and many do. A therapist treats anxiety, depression or other conditions. A mentor helps turn plans into daily habits, schoolwork and next steps. With the family’s permission, the two can share goals so the teen hears one plan, not two. At Blackburn Mentoring, by video nationwide or in person in Los Angeles, a mentor never replaces clinical care.
Key facts
- Therapy and mentoring do different jobs, so they rarely overlap when both are set up well.
- Mentors are not licensed clinicians. They do not diagnose, treat or advise on medication.
- The mentor and therapist talk only with written permission from the family, or from the client if 18 or older.
- When a teen has significant symptoms, therapy usually comes first, and mentoring is added once things are steadier.
- If anyone is in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
What does each one do?
| Therapist | Mentor | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Assess and treat mental health conditions | Build habits, plans and follow-through in daily life |
| Training | Licensed clinician with graduate training | Not a clinician; focused on practical goals and follow-through |
| Typical focus | Feelings, thoughts, relationships, trauma, symptoms | School, routines, deadlines, work, goals, next steps |
| Session style | Clinical sessions, usually weekly | Practical 60 minute sessions plus texts and calls between them |
| Contact between sessions | Usually limited | Short check-ins to keep commitments on track |
| Medication | May coordinate with a psychiatrist | Never gives medication advice |
A simple way to put it: therapy helps a teen understand and manage what is going on inside. Mentoring helps them act on it during the week. Our page comparing a mentor, coach and therapist goes deeper on the differences.
Why would a teen need both?
Many teens are dealing with more than one thing at once. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 39.7% of U.S. high school students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (MMWR, October 2024). The same report found that students who felt connected at school had lower rates of every mental health risk it measured.
Therapy addresses the symptoms. But a teen who is feeling better can still be behind in three classes, sleeping at odd hours and unsure how to start catching up. That is where a mentor helps. A therapist may suggest a new routine; a mentor helps the teen set it up on Sunday and checks in on Wednesday to see if it is holding.
When should therapy come first?
Start with a licensed clinician first if you see any of these:
- Talk of self-harm or suicide, or signs of either. Call or text 988 right away.
- Low mood, panic or worry that keeps your teen from school, sleep or friends.
- Substance use that worries you.
- Sudden changes in eating, sleeping or behavior that you cannot explain.
- A recent trauma or loss that your teen cannot talk about.
Once a clinician is involved and things are steadier, mentoring can be added to help with school and daily structure. If your family does not yet have a clinician in Los Angeles, our sister organization Blackburn Clinical Services offers outpatient therapy for teens, young adults and families (psychiatric care can be arranged).
How does coordination between a mentor and therapist work?
Coordination is always based on permission. Here is how it usually goes with us:
- Ask first. During the assessment or intro call, we ask whether your teen sees a therapist or other clinician.
- Get written permission. If the family wants coordination, the parent (or the client, if 18 or older) gives written permission for the mentor and therapist to talk.
- Share goals, not session details. The two agree on a few shared goals, such as a sleep routine or a plan for missed work. The mentor does not ask the therapist about what is said in therapy.
- Stay in your lane. The mentor focuses on practical follow-through. Emotional and clinical topics go back to the therapist.
- Check in as needed. Brief contact when goals change, or when the mentor notices something the therapist should know.
A referring professional may also join the intro call if the client wants. Some families prefer no coordination at all, and that is fine too. The mentor still works on the goals the family sets.
What does a mentor not do?
- Diagnose any condition.
- Provide therapy or crisis counseling.
- Give advice about medication or dosing.
- Take sides between the teen and their therapist.
How information is shared with parents depends on the client’s age and the permissions they give. In an emergency, call 911, or call or text 988.
Related
- Staying on track between therapy sessions
- Mentor vs coach vs therapist
- Between-session support
- For referring professionals
- How mentoring works
- What age is right for a mentor?
Common questions
Will the mentor talk to my teen’s therapist?
Only if you want them to and give written permission. Many families find it helpful because the teen hears one consistent plan. Others prefer to keep the two separate, and the mentor respects that.
Who decides which to start first?
The family does, ideally with input from a clinician. If there are serious symptoms or safety concerns, start with therapy. If the main issues are organization, motivation or direction, mentoring can start first, and we will suggest a clinician if we see signs that one is needed.
Is mentoring a substitute for therapy?
No. Mentors are not licensed clinicians and do not treat mental health conditions. Mentoring works alongside therapy by helping with the practical side of daily life.
What if my teen refuses therapy but agrees to a mentor?
That happens often. A mentor can be a first step and can help a teen feel more open to other support over time. If the mentor sees signs that clinical care is needed, they will tell you plainly and encourage it.
Can a college student or young adult do both?
Yes. Many of our college and young adult clients also see a therapist. From 18 on, the client decides whether the two should coordinate and what is shared with family.
Get started
If your teen or young adult already sees a therapist and needs help with follow-through, take the five-minute assessment at blackburnmentoring.com/get-started or call (888) 305-5422. The intro call is free, and sessions can be by video from anywhere in the country or in person in Los Angeles.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Last updated .
Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.