Psy. D., Antioch University, 2024, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood is a critical period characterized by significant psychological, social, and developmental changes. The prevalence of mental health issues for teens and young adults has risen significantly over the past decade, yet there is a shortage of licensed professionals to treat the growing number of transitional-aged youth who are struggling. While mentoring programs exist for lower socioeconomic youth, few programs service affluent adolescents and young adults. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review, this program proposal identifies the unique challenges faced by affluent adolescents and young adults and proposes a unique therapeutic mentoring model to aid this specific demographic. This dissertation explores the efficacy of clinical mentoring programs designed specifically for adolescents and young adults to address their mental health needs and facilitate their journey into independent adulthood. The proposed program incorporates evidence-based practices and theoretical frameworks from developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and mentoring literature. It aims to provide structured support, foster resilience, and promote the development of critical life skills. Key elements include personalized mentoring relationships, promoting healthy coping skills, individuation, and continuous assessment to tailor interventions to individual needs. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of tailored clinical mentoring programs in helping emerging adults launch into self-efficacy. It provides a scalable model that can be adapted for various settings, offering a practical solution to the pervasive gap in mental health care. Through this research, I propose the potential of clinical mentoring as a critical element in empowering young individuals, fostering a smoother transition to adulthood and promoting long-term psychological well-being for the entire family system. This diss (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Stephen Southern Ed.D. (Committee Chair); Brett Kia Keating Ed.D. (Committee Member); Donald Grant Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Mental Health; Psychology; Psychotherapy