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Frequently Asked Questions Where does the work take place? I work in the type of community settings that foster comfort and good conversation. The time spent and approach taken will be uniquely tailored to each young person. Activities could include anything from shooting hoops at the park, grabbing a bite to eat, or meeting at a café or at the home and working on a resume or researching and engaging in a great volunteer project together. I am generally available to do individual mentoring in and around Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, and Lamorinda. I can go outside of that area but may need bill for my extra travel time.
I don’t know if my son or daughter will go for this...how do I propose it? I can offer suggestions and coaching to parents on what I have found to work well during our initial phone conversation. Sometimes I name that Dr. Dre was a mentor to Eminem, Francis Ford Copula to George Lucas, and from mythology, Merlin to King Arthur. One of my strengths is my capacity to quickly develop rapport with young people am usually able to connect and get young people interested if not excited about the possibilities of us working together.
How long are the meetings? On weekday afternoon/evenings during the school year I am typically available in 60 to 90 minute blocks. Weekends I am available in larger blocks of time. I can meet bi-weekly, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly or as needed.
Why is mentoring important? It takes a whole village to raise a child. –African Proverb Developmentally, as children enter their teens they begin to look outside of the family for modeling and guidance on how to be in the world. Currently, much of the modeling and guidance teens are receiving is coming from YouTube, a predatory mainstream media/advertising, and older kids, all of which promote a stunted adolescent representation of the mature adult. This representation is both incredibly narrow in range of expression and shallow in depth of values and heart. Ultimately, without intervention, it is toxic to the healthy development of the psyche. Taken further, this dynamic is toxic to our culture and ultimately our planet. I believe that all young people in our culture need positive role modeling and mentoring as part of this intervention. This is a my life’s work and I am deeply committed to affecting change by working with youth individually and within organizations to create a shift on a broader cultural level. Over the years, I have worked with and sought out amazing mentors who hold a similar sense of purpose and commitment. They have served instrumental roles in my own development and growth. From these relationships, I bring a rich and deep lineage for young people to connect with.
Do you offer college counseling? Yes and no. My focus is on the underlying personal and emotional growth work needed to successfully transition out of high school and into the wider world. Supporting teens in this developmental transition empowers them as they begin to claim more stake in the direction of their lives. In working together we talk about how to identify and nurture dreams, passions and goals for one’s life. We also explore and transform self limiting beliefs that might block further growth. Along the way, we cover the developmental tasks required to make a healthy shift from adolescence to adulthood. (It may surprise you to know that teens really welcome this conversation). If further education will help your child reach his goals, at a certain point I may encourage seeking counsel from someone whose life’s work is helping teens find the right college, university or vocational program.
Is this therapy? No, some young people who are struggling will need more support, structure and specific expertise than what I offer—-such as those dealing with substance abuse and addictions, deep emotional traumas, chemical imbalances, extreme acting out, self-harm, depression, or suicidality. I am available to work in collaboration with teachers, therapists, learning specialists, psychiatrists, educational consultants, and school counselors as an added member of a young person’s team.
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