A than'tha is the Vulcan adult who guides a Vulcan child through their first mind meld, on the eve of their seventh birthday. The role of than'tha is usually carried out by the parent of the child.
In the year 2293, Spock was called upon by Saavik to serve as than'tha to Sanara, an orphaned Vulcan-Human child. (TOS - Strange New Worlds II short story: "The First Law of Metaphysics")