Psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro believes that for some clients, consistent mentoring fills a need that therapy cannot. As founder of the Catholic Psych Institute, he has created an original program -- Integrated Daily Dialogic Mentorship (“Mentorship” for short) -- “because we believe that real healing can only happen when the full reality of the human person is taken into account.”
Mentorship gives clients the opportunity to connect daily with their mentors using voice apps. A client can choose any time of day to record and send their thoughts, feelings, and challenges. The mentor will respond within 24 hours.
A lifeline, every single day
One client told me that mentorship was “a lifeline.” Her mentor, who happened to be a priest, was a constant resource during a time when she needed the support. She noted particularly what a gift it was, during a tough holiday season, to be able to think and talk through difficult family situations and receive feedback so quickly -- just as she needed it.
Mentors are trained through what Bottaro calls “a fusion of psychology, theology, and philosophy” with the ultimate goal to “collaborate with God in the healing and transformation of hurting souls.”
Every mentor-in-training first receives mentoring themselves. They also engage in master’s level coursework for two years, finishing up with a practicum where they learn to mentor under the tutelage of an experienced supervisor.
A mentor shared that he became a mentor because he felt “called by God to be an intimate part of another person’s journey to rising to the occasion of their life.”
Someone is there
In speaking of the impact of mentorship, this mentor shared that he has seen that “at our core, we all are afraid of being left alone and unloved.”
“So straight away,” he explains “the model of daily accompaniment positively impacts someone’s life because every day they have an encounter with someone who shows up and loves them where they are.”
A mentorship client agrees with this, sharing that it was a complete gift to know that her mentor was there whenever she needed and was there to listen and to encourage her, no matter what she brought up that day.
The mentor invites us to “imagine that for a moment -- imagine waking up and knowing everyday that no matter what happens, no matter the mood you are in or the success you have in work or how your day shakes out, there is someone in your life who is there completely for you, to love you.”
What modern day therapy can’t provide
Dr. Greg said the idea for Mentorship came in stages, based on what he was experiencing as a psychological professional:
"I had poured myself into them for seven or eight years, but despite all that effort, we weren’t reaching real breakthroughs. I felt stuck — frustrated — and deep down, I knew there had to be a better way."
Then, on a sabbatical, Dr. Greg participated in a marketing mastermind with a coach who not only worked with them on marketing, but checked in on things happening in their lives - like a child’s birthday.
"And I realized something kind of shocking: my marketing coach — because of the daily model she was using — was more connected to my real life than I ever was to any of my therapy clients. She had more context, more consistency, and more relational presence. That realization shook me."
From there, he engaged in more research and trials until Mentorship was born. His team saw the fruit of it almost right away.
One mentor shares that he works a lot with men who are dealing with pornography addictions.
"In a traditional format of meeting with someone once a week or twice a month, it can take a long time to build up enough trust and connection to offer a corrective emotional experience that leads to healing. But with the daily model, we can build trust quickly, have a system of accountability, offer experiences of love and mercy through consistent dialogue, reach a level of depth, and stay there building day after day, a path to healing."
Who mentorship is for
It's important to note that mentorship is not a fit for everyone. Dr. Greg specifies,
"A CatholicPsych Mentor does not diagnose mental health conditions. They don’t prescribe medication. And we have clear criteria in place. If someone presents with certain clinical symptoms or needs psychiatric care, our mentors will only work with them in collaboration with a licensed psychiatrist or therapist."
But, the CatholicPsych Institute believes that mentorship is a path to healing for many people. According to Dr. Greg,
"Mentorship is a great fit for people who are seeking growth — not just symptom relief. It’s for those who feel stuck in life, are facing a big decision, struggling to integrate their faith and mental health, dealing with anxiety, navigating challenges in their marriage, battling habitual sin, experiencing grief, indecision, or just can’t seem to overcome hidden obstacles to flourishing."
For how long?
Most mentorship clients receive mentoring, on average, for 5 to 7 months, some shorter, some longer. A client shared, however, that the lessons she learned in mentoring have stuck with her. She says she knew she could rely on her mentor and reach out to him whenever she needed. Now, she says, she realizes in a deeper way that she can always rely on God and turn to Him, no matter what the challenge she is facing is.
Another person shared, “Being on the receiving end of Mentorship changed my life irrevocably for the better. I am a better father, a better husband, a better son, a better disciple, a better professional, and a better friend. And literally everyone in my life has asked me in one way or another, 'What happened to you?'”
