How can you help your peers focus during peer support?

1 Set clear expectations

Before you start a peer support session, make sure you and your peers agree on the purpose, goals, and boundaries of the session. For example, you can ask your peers what they want to achieve, how they want to be supported, and what they are comfortable sharing. You can also clarify the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each peer, such as listening, giving feedback, or asking questions. Setting clear expectations can help you and your peers focus on the topic and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts.

2 Use active listening

Active listening is a key skill for peer support, as it shows your peers that you are interested, attentive, and respectful of their thoughts and feelings. Active listening involves using verbal and non-verbal cues to acknowledge and encourage your peers, such as nodding, smiling, paraphrasing, summarizing, or asking open-ended questions. Active listening can help your peers focus by making them feel heard, understood, and valued. It can also help you focus by keeping you engaged and curious about your peers' perspectives.

3 Apply motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a technique that can help you support your peers in making positive changes in their lives. Motivational interviewing is based on the principles of empathy, collaboration, autonomy, and evocation. It involves helping your peers explore their own motivations, values, and goals, rather than telling them what to do or how to do it. Motivational interviewing can help your peers focus by empowering them to find their own solutions and reasons for change. It can also help you focus by avoiding judgment, confrontation, or persuasion, and instead following your peers' lead.

4 Manage distractions

Distractions can interfere with your and your peers' focus and concentration during peer support. Distractions can be internal, such as thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations, or external, such as noises, people, or devices. To manage distractions, you can try to create a quiet, comfortable, and private space for peer support, and turn off or mute any notifications or alerts. You can also practice mindfulness, which is the ability to pay attention to the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness can help you and your peers focus by reducing stress, anxiety, or rumination, and increasing awareness, acceptance, and compassion.

5 Take breaks

Peer support can be emotionally and mentally demanding, and sometimes you or your peers may need to take a break to recharge, relax, or reflect. Taking breaks can help you and your peers focus by preventing fatigue, boredom, or frustration, and enhancing creativity, productivity, and well-being. You can take breaks individually or together, depending on your preferences and needs. For example, you can take a few minutes to breathe deeply, stretch, drink water, or meditate. You can also check in with your peers and ask them how they are feeling, what they need, or what they learned.

6 Celebrate successes

Peer support is not only about addressing challenges, but also about celebrating successes. Celebrating successes can help you and your peers focus by reinforcing positive behaviors, outcomes, and experiences, and boosting confidence, motivation, and satisfaction. You can celebrate successes by acknowledging and appreciating your and your peers' efforts, achievements, and strengths, and by sharing feedback, compliments, or gratitude. You can also celebrate successes by rewarding yourself and your peers with something enjoyable, such as a treat, a hobby, or a fun activity.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?