TABLE 1.

An Examination of Mentoring and Cognitive Behavioral Components in a Group Mentoring Program

Program feature	Mentoring	Cognitive behavioral therapy	Group mentoring with cognitive behavioral principles
Time	Relationships are variable in length	Therapy is typically time-limited	Expectations about the length of the program is given to children prior to the start of the program
Activities	Child-determined activities	Treatment protocols typically direct all activities	Combination of skills training and child-determined activities
Length of meeting	Children typically meet at least 3 hours weekly	Sessions are typically 1 to 2 hours in length	Sessions are 4 hours long allowing time for didactic, coaching, child-determined activities, and supportive conversations with mentors
Parent involvement	Parent involvement varies significantly (e.g., participate in activities with mentor, child, informed of what mentor and child are doing)	Parent involvement varies (e.g., behavioral parent training, cognitive behavioral social skills training groups)	Parents are provided summaries of what their children are learning, but are not directly involved in services
Relationship	Mentors model appropriate behavior for children	Therapists teach and model specific coping skills to children and parents	Children learn specific strategies to problem solve, but also engage in natural interactions with group mentors and peers in which mentors model appropriate behavior and reinforce children for appropriate behavior
Level of training	Mentors are generally volunteers that are interested in helping children	Therapists are trained professionals that have a background in providing services to children with behavior problems	Group mentors are provided training on how to implement the program Group mentors receive ongoing weekly supervision
Transportation	Mentors typically provide transportation for children	Parents typically provide transportation for children.	Group mentors provide all transportation
Employment status	Mentors are typically unpaid volunteers	Therapists are employed professionals	Group mentors are employed in order to compensate them for training, weekly supervision, and to reduce mentor attrition