Peer support groups are very beneficial but can be difficult to find. In this post, I will make some suggestions for forming your own peer support group.
As you may remember from your studies about group theory, a good group runs itself. Peer support groups are no different. Taking the time to carefully plan and select members will ensure that the group will run smoothly.
Personalities
One of the reasons these groups can be tricky is the blending of different personalities. Here are some suggestions:
- Balance. A blend of less-talkative (i.e. introverted) people and more talkative people is desirable. If your group is comprised of all shy introverts, nobody will speak and you will lose steam quickly. On the other hand, too many gregarious counselors can overwhelm a group. Also, therapists who dominate conversations, or who talk much more than they listen, are not desirable group members. In a well-formed peer group, all opinions are heard and considered.
- Respect. Because objective feedback is one of the benefits of the group, it is essential that members demonstrate respect. Feedback and suggestions should be given in a supportive, rather than judgmental manner. And any therapist who thinks they know your client better than you do is a problem.
- Experience levels. It is best to have a mixture of experience levels. The more junior therapists can benefit from the wisdom of the more experienced, and the more experienced can become energized by the more junior. However, take care not to have too many junior therapists. Too many basic questions could frustrate the more senior members.
Trust
To really get the support we need from the group, therapists need to be able to be vulnerable. We need to know that we won’t be judged or harshly criticized, and that the clinical information we share will remain private. It is normal for therapists to be a bit guarded in the beginning stages of the group until trust is established.
In addition to being respectful, group members also need to be clinically competent. Therapists who practice unethically or unprofessionally should not be allowed into the group. Carefully vetting group members will set the stage for building trust. After that has been done, it is consistent attendance from the same members that helps build trust. Therefore, members should show up regularly and on time. Once you’ve reached capacity, you may want to consider closing the group, as a new member could throw the group off-balance.
Format
For ease of scheduling, select a regular date and time that works for the majority of the members. Decide how often you will meet and for how long. For example, the peer support group I am in meets for 1.5 hours once a month. This seems to be sufficient for most everyone, although I would like to meet more often.
You also may want to consider building in some social time, and/or time to discuss business matters. For example, we spend the first 15 minutes socializing, then 20 minutes on business-related matters such as marketing or insurance, and the remainder on cases. We generally have a timekeeper to keep us on track. When the meeting starts, we determine how many of us have cases and divide the time accordingly.
Lastly, although you obviously will not be identifying clients, it is advisable to have a disclaimer in your intake paperwork that states you are part of a peer support group that discusses cases.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barb LoFrisco
