Blackburn Mentoring works with clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs by video. Our team is in Los Angeles; Twin Cities clients meet one dedicated mentor online every week, scheduled in Central time, with text or phone check-ins between sessions. We work with high school students alongside their parents, college students, young adults and professionals.
Why video mentoring suits the Twin Cities
Minnesota winters are long, dark and cold, and from November through March a lot of life moves indoors. Driving across the metro in snow to an after-school appointment is nobody’s idea of a good afternoon. A video session from home removes that friction, and the routine holds through the worst weeks of the year.
Winter is also when motivation tends to dip for students and young adults alike. A steady weekly session, plus short check-ins, is one way to keep the plan from going into hibernation.
Who we work with across the metro
Families in the suburbs
Families in Edina, Wayzata, Minnetonka and around the lakes often have teenagers in strong public schools or independent schools, with a full slate of hockey, music and activities. Parents reach out when a capable student is disengaged, disorganized or headed into senior year without a plan.
College students
Many students in the Twin Cities attend colleges and universities in the area; others have left for school elsewhere. Either way, mentors help with time management, motivation and decisions about majors, internships and next steps.
Young professionals
The Twin Cities are home to a large number of major corporate headquarters, and plenty of young adults start careers here. Common goals include settling into a first job, managing money, building a social life in a new city and planning a career change.
Central time and session planning
Minneapolis and St. Paul are two hours ahead of Los Angeles. A 4 pm session after school in Edina is 2 pm for the mentor, and a 7 pm session for a working client is 5 pm in California. Weekend sessions are also available. We always book in your local time.
Lakes, summers and the short season
The flip side of a long winter is a short, intense summer. Twin Cities families spend those months at the lake, on the water and at cabins up north. That is a good thing, and it can also mean a student loses every routine for ten weeks and then starts the school year cold. Online sessions travel with the family, so a student can keep a light weekly check-in going from a cabin, work on a summer job plan, and arrive in September with habits already in place. For students heading to college in the fall, those summer weeks are often the best time to practice running their own schedule.
A simple first month
- Week one: agree two or three goals and the first small steps.
- Week two: look at what worked, adjust what did not.
- Week three: add one new habit or routine.
- Week four: review progress, and with permission share an update with parents.
The plan is built with the client, not handed to them, which is why it tends to stick. After the first month, the rhythm usually settles: shorter check-ins on steady weeks, more time when something big is coming up, like exams, a job offer or a move.
Where a mentor fits
Mentors are not tutors, therapists or admissions counselors. They offer steady, practical guidance and accountability. Parents of teens can start with mentoring for high school students; adults in their twenties often fit young adult mentoring. Read about the full online format on our online mentoring page.
Related
Common questions
Do you meet clients in person in Minneapolis?
No. Our team is in Los Angeles. Twin Cities clients work with their mentor entirely by video, with text and phone contact between sessions.
What time are sessions for clients in Minnesota?
Sessions are scheduled in Central time. After-school, evening and weekend slots are all common.
Does mentoring help with the winter slump?
Mentoring can help keep routines and goals on track through the darker months. If low mood is lasting or serious, a licensed professional is the right step. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Get started
Want to talk about mentoring for someone in the Twin Cities? 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.