Youth Mentor
Berkeley | Oakland
Guidance and Counsel for Teen Boys & Youth
My approach to mentorship is based on 1-on-1 therapeutic relationships with transitional age youth aged 18 to 24. I have successfully worked with young men from diverse backgrounds dealing with a variety of issues ranging from ADHD, behavior and impulse control, anger management, substance dependence, social skills and struggles with motivation. My experience and empathy is rooted in my own struggles with many of the above conditions throughout my adolescence and an ongoing engagement with the social issues of today. I offer a socially informed, culturally responsive approach to understand the complex experience that many young people face today.
Therapy out-of-the-box in Nature and Community
How is Mentoring different from counseling?
Mentorship offers a unique way to build relationships with young people, literally therapy out-of-the-box. Firstly, we use the natural environment as a medium for our interaction. Spending time outdoors allows for more organic engagement process than a typical office setting, which can lead some young people to feel more on-guard. This format enables trust and rapport to build quickly. Secondly, our sessions occur in outdoor settings and involve physical activity, such as hiking and/or sports. Whether walking side-by-side present to the calming beauty of Nature or playing a challenging game of basketball, I support young people to be embodied and present to their inner and outer experience. By utilizing dynamic forms of mindfulness we build greater awareness of self and an increased capacity to cope with and metabolize our experiences.