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Describing Wellness Mentoring
Although there many
ways to describe what mentors do, four distinct strategies
set mentoring apart from other forms of non-professional helping.
Wellness Mentors:
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Create a safe and
caring relationship for exploring wellness goals.
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Ask questions that
are useful in planning lifestyle change.
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Seek out
resources to help someone achieve his or her lifestyle
goals.
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Embrace the
learning and growth that come from someone’s
wellness journey.
Notice that Wellness
Mentoring is different from other roles.
- Whereas a counselor or
therapist is focuses on deep psychological causes of
behavior, a mentor focuses on the practical aspects
of lifestyle change. A mentor may help someone find a
counselor if a deeper problem is
identified.
- Whereas teachers and
coaches are professionals who share their expertise,
mentors tend to ask helpful questions rather than state
the best direction. A mentor is not a health expert.
- Whereas a friend offers
encouragement, mentors meet regularly to
discuss progress toward lifestyle change. A Wellness
Mentor's first priority is to help someone follow-through on a
lifestyle change.
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Learn more about the history of
the mentor role by clicking on the Wellness Mentor Training
Video link below.
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