Peer Support: A peer support counselor is someone with lived experience recovering from a mental health condition providing support to others experiencing similar challenges.
They provide non-clinical, strengths-based support. Peers can serve as advocates, help access community resources, and model recovery and wellness. By sharing their lived experience in overcoming challenges, peer support workers help others develop their own goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and connect with the community.
In the peer space the goal is to provide a sense of community, belonging and acceptance.
Peer support is not a replacement for therapy or treatment. Some people feel they benefit from the professional structure of therapy, while others might find they appreciate the relatability and flexibility of peer support. A combination of peer support and therapy can also provide well rounded support for individuals utilizing these spaces in different ways. Those wanting treatment/diagnoses, or long term support may be better supported through a licensed mental health practitioner. Peer counselors can provide support in setting, reaching, and maintaining mental health and wellness goals.
Working with a peer can look different for everyone.
Some may find it helpful to talk through their weekly goals and work with their peer to identify what they need to be successful. Someone might use their time to discuss a particularly challenging situation, receiving emotional support while navigating community resources. Peer support can also support parents experiencing challenges in isolation, providing a space to be heard, meeting them where they are, allowing for flexibility in how these parents show up. As a peer counselor I am available for weekly virtual sessions as well as, via text/phone calls outside of our weekly appointments.
Peer counselors can offer support in a variety of forms and this allows individuals to utilize this support in the way that works best for them.
This can look like:
mental health wellness planning
connecting parents to resources/referrals (community organizations, support groups, mental health providers and more)
Birth planning/pregnancy support
Supporting self advocacy skills
Flexibility to schedule outside typical office hours