At Somethings, we prioritize equipping our mentors with the essential skill of active listening to effectively support and engage with teenagers. Our mentors undergo comprehensive training to ensure they can provide the best possible support to your teen. Here's how we train our mentors in active listening:

Active Listening

Our mentors are trained to actively follow and understand the thoughts and feelings expressed by your teen. They make a genuine effort to imagine life from your teen's perspective, creating a safe and empathetic environment for open communication.

Reflecting Feelings

We teach our mentors the importance of reflecting feelings in a way that goes beyond simply repeating what your teen says. Our mentors strive to understand the underlying emotions behind your teen's words and provide empathetic responses. For instance, when your teen expresses anxiety about school work, our mentors might respond with phrases like, "It sounds like you're feeling really anxious about all the work you have to do" or "That sounds like such a difficult situation."

Open-Ended Questions

Our mentors learn to ask open-ended questions that encourage exploration and meaningful conversation. By avoiding closed-ended questions that yield one-word answers, our mentors empower your teen to express themselves freely, without feeling defensive or cross-examined. These questions help your teen specify their feelings and address the present moment, fostering a deeper understanding of their experiences.

Silence

Our mentors understand the importance of silence during conversations. They use silence as a powerful tool to show undivided attention and create a space where your teen can fully express themselves. By allowing moments of silence, our mentors enable clear thinking, absorption of information, and the formulation of thoughts without interrupting the mentee's train of thought.

Concreteness

We train our mentors to clarify general statements made by your teen through the use of concreteness. By seeking specific examples or details, our mentors help your teen articulate their feelings and experiences more effectively. This approach enables focused discussions and targeted support for your teen's specific concerns.

Minimal Encourages

Our mentors employ minimal encourages to provide support and validation during conversations with your teen. Through repeating what your teen says and using phrases like "Tell me more," "I hear you," or "Go on," our mentors create a welcoming environment where your teen feels heard and understood. These minimal encourages reassure your teen that their experiences and emotions are valid and respected.

Self-Disclosure

We emphasize the importance of careful and limited self-disclosure during mentorship conversations. Our mentors understand that the primary focus should remain on your teen and their needs. Any self-disclosure is used sparingly and only when it can genuinely contribute to your teen's well-being and understanding. Boundaries are set to maintain a mentee-centered dynamic throughout the interaction.

Training and Professionalism

Our mentors receive thorough training in active listening techniques, communication skills, and ethical guidelines. We prioritize professionalism and ensure that our mentors are equipped to handle sensitive topics and provide appropriate support to your teen.

We are committed to providing a mentorship experience that supports your teen's mental health and well-being. By training our mentors in active listening, we empower them to establish meaningful connections with your teen, create a safe space for open dialogue, and offer the support and guidance your teen needs.