Therapeutic Mentor
22 days ago
Palo Alto
Job Description Company: Key Collective Location: Palo Alto, CA Job Type: Contract / Part-Time Compensation: $40 – $50 per hour (based on experience and education) Schedule: Flexible (choose your own hours) Reports to: Executive Director About Key Collective Key Collective has served the community for over a decade, dedicating itself to supporting individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges through personalized mentorship and skill-building. Our approach focuses on empowering clients to build independence, develop emotional regulation, and create meaningful, sustainable change in their lives. We primarily work with clients using a goal-oriented and action-based approach, teaching them effective skills and strategies to help them reach their goals. Position Overview At Key Collective, we are seeking mentors who are dedicated, growth-oriented, and deeply committed to supporting clients in meaningful, lasting ways. Our mentors are not only skilled, but continuously striving to improve, expand their knowledge, and thoughtfully engage in their work. As a Therapeutic Mentor, you will work one-on-one with clients (ages 13+) to provide guidance, support, and practical tools to help them manage mental health challenges and/or substance use recovery. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about mentorship, behavioral health, and making a direct impact in their community. Mentors typically meet with clients a minimum of 2 days per week (approximately 4 hours weekly per client). Mentors must be able and willing to commute to and from clients. Key Responsibilities: Mentorship & Support • Build strong, trust-based relationships with clients, • Provide consistent one-on-one support aimed at improving each client’s current level of functioning, • Serve as a positive role model and source of encouragement, • Collaboratively identify solutions with your client for real-life challenges, • Implement individualized techniques and strategies during sessions Life Skills Development • Support clients in developing essential daily living skills, including:, • Time management, • Budgeting, • Meal planning, • Organization, • Help clients build independence and long-term self-sufficiency, • Support individuals with executive functioning challenges, • Provide accountability and structure when client's motivation decreases, • Engage clients in the real-world by going out into the community with them and doing purpose-driven activities Collaboration & Care Planning • Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to support individualized care plans, • Attend monthly team meetings and trainings, contributing insights on client progress, • Maintain clear, timely, and professional documentation Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field, • Minimum of 2 years of experience in mentoring, coaching, or a related role in the field of mental health and substance use, • Experience working with individuals facing mental health and/or substance use challenges, • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, • High level of empathy, patience, and professionalism, • Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries, • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation - must be willing to commute to and from clients, • Ability to commit to a client for a minimum of four to six months. Preferred Experience Candidates with experience or training in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: • Somatic practices, • Life coaching, • Neurodiversity (including ASD-specific support), • Executive functioning skills, • Substance use recovery support (e.g., CADC), • Evidence-based modalities such as DBT, ACT, and CBT, • Master's Degree in psychology or related social sciences What We Offer • Flexible scheduling with control over your availability, • Mileage reimbursement, • Weekly supervision from a clinician, • Ongoing professional development opportunities, • A supportive, collaborative team environment Why Join Key Collective • Make a direct and meaningful impact in clients’ lives, • Gain hands-on, high-quality mentorship experience, • Ideal for graduate students and early-career professionals pursuing clinical work, • Be part of a mission-driven organization that values growth, integrity, and connection Apply Today If you are passionate about helping others build independence, strengthen life skills, and navigate mental health and substance use challenges, we encourage you to apply. This unique opportunity lets you fit a specific role that is neither a therapist nor an authoritative figure. Instead, you serve as an ally and advocate for the client, helping them improve their day-to-day life.