The Value of Peer Support


It can be a lonely enough profession, this business of therapy, can’t it? Where friends who work for banks, or semi state organisations, or the corner shop can moan and groan about their work, we can’t reciprocate can we? And even if we did, there’s that sense that nobody except another therapist really gets it, so they probably would have no idea what we’re talking about, even if we told them!

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAFor many of us, there are few opportunities to interact with colleagues unless we make a point of doing so, but it seems to me that that interaction is hugely important.

When first we qualify, and are setting out our stall in the world, good peer support can be the difference between making it or not. I found it to be hugely beneficial to have another person working alongside me, sharing the tasks of setting up. I found Jennifer’s support invaluable then, as I do now. When we were trying to find a premises to work from, it was really helpful to have someone else to go along and look at the rooms with me, to talk to the people we met, to compare notes with afterwards.

We often found that one of us would be feeling positive and strong and could support the other when they needed help. It helped too, that our visions and desires were similar enough that we could pick somewhere that suited both of us, and dissimilar enough to bring a broader perspective. Jennifer would focus on different aspects from me, and would notice different things too.

When we visited local GPs, it helped that there were two of us in that one of us usually made a better connection with the doctors than the other, and it took the pressure off us that we could look out for and support each other in our meetings.

Now, we are well established and those earlier tasks and well behind us. But the ongoing support and contact with Jennifer, Evelyn and other colleagues at the centres from where I practice is still essential to me. It might be a specific problem I’ve encountered with a client, and I can get some peer supervision. Or it might be as simple as a chat over a cup of coffee. It might be a discussion on whether they have ever dealt with a particular issue, or whether they know of a colleague who specializes in that issue.

I was also part of a peer supervision group for many years after qualifying, made up of friends with whom I trained. Each therapist was allotted a time tomoths speak about, and receive feedback on any subject we might want to raise connected with their practice. We came from a diverse spread of backgrounds, and worked in a broad range of organisations and practices, so the input was rich.

As I have been speaking to therapists recently, I have heard time and again that support from other colleagues is essential. Those who have it, speak highly and warmly of it. Those that don’t, speak of its absence and the isolation they feel in doing this work without it.

How could you provide yourself with some peer support if it’s not present for you right now? If it is present, are there ways you could improve it? Consider the following ideas:

  • Arrange with a colleague that you will talk together at least once a week. This could be a phone call, or face to face. Make it a regular day and time, and put a time limit on it, until the principle of regular contact is established.
  • Arrange with others to have a peer group meeting on a regular basis. This could be in one place, or rotated. Make it semi-formal with an agreed structure and time boundary. Be clear about the format and objectives, otherwise there is a danger it could lose focus.
  • Make a point of keeping in touch with colleagues you know, and try if you can to expand your network.

If I can help you at all with finding the peer support you need, please contact me here for your free 20 minute consultation.