How do you lead peer support group discussions?

1 Know your role

As a peer support group leader, your role is not to give advice, solve problems, or judge others. Your role is to facilitate the discussion, encourage participation, and create a safe and supportive environment. You should also respect the confidentiality, diversity, and autonomy of the group members. You can use open-ended questions, paraphrasing, summarizing, and affirming to guide the conversation and show empathy.

2 Set clear expectations

Before starting the discussion, it is important to set clear expectations for the group members. You should explain the purpose, goals, and rules of the discussion, and ask for their consent and agreement. You should also clarify the roles and responsibilities of the group members, such as listening actively, respecting others, and sharing honestly. You can also ask the group members to suggest topics or questions they would like to discuss.

3 Manage time and space

To lead a peer support group discussion effectively, you need to manage the time and space of the discussion. You should plan the duration, frequency, and agenda of the discussion, and stick to them as much as possible. You should also choose a comfortable, accessible, and private space for the discussion, and arrange the seating in a way that promotes eye contact and interaction. You should also check the equipment, materials, and resources you need for the discussion.

4 Handle conflicts and emotions

One of the challenges of leading a peer support group discussion is handling conflicts and emotions that may arise during the discussion. You should be prepared to deal with different opinions, perspectives, and feelings, and avoid taking sides or imposing your views. You should also acknowledge and validate the emotions of the group members, and help them express and cope with them in a healthy way. You should also intervene if the conflict escalates or becomes abusive, and refer the group members to other sources of support if needed.

5 Encourage feedback and evaluation

To improve your skills and effectiveness as a peer support group leader, you should encourage feedback and evaluation from the group members. You should ask them to share their opinions, suggestions, and feelings about the discussion, and listen to them attentively and respectfully. You should also evaluate your own performance, strengths, and areas of improvement, and seek feedback from other peer support group leaders or professionals. You should also celebrate the achievements and progress of the group members and yourself.

6 Keep learning and growing

Leading a peer support group discussion is a rewarding but also a learning experience. You should keep learning and growing as a peer support group leader, by reading, researching, and attending trainings on peer support and related topics. You should also network with other peer support group leaders, and join online or offline communities of practice. You should also take care of your own well-being, and seek support when you need it.