Peer Counseling

Eugene S. Abuloc
Facilitator
President, Guild of Paraprofessionals in Peer Counseling University of Southeastern Philippines

MEANING
Refers to the process to the process where people share common experiences, listen, explore options and give support. It is based on communication, empathy and understanding. It is structured to provide a safe and comfortable opportunity to the counselee to share ideas and feelings.

Peer Counseling
The Basic Principle
Always emphasize the ground rule of confidentiality; Give the client enough time to be heard; Choose a place that is appropriate for counseling; Show your client you care, understand, and the willingness to listen to him/her; Being congruous, or genuine Practicing complete acceptance and unconditional regard of the counselees experiences; Facilitation in order that the counselee could reach the kinds of insights that are transformative to ones being.

Peer Counseling
The Basic Theory
It is a way to give us the space to be listened to in a nonjudgmental way and the space for us to be able to experience and express our emotions openly; Through this process we can reconnect with our divine nature; It is the facilitation of the process with the peers working in both roles of counselor and client; Peer counseling offers a way to build community while supporting the mental health of that communities members; Ideally, it is a process where people support each other in our own autonomy and connections with our self and everything around us.
(A Peer Counseling Primer by Healing Trauma)

Peer Counselor
Is an individual who has attained disability related experiences, knowledge and coping skills, to assist others. Is a trained paraprofessional who is equipped with proper approaches to facilitate counseling properly. Is a role model who functions individually and take control of his/her life.

ATTITUDE
Understanding Empathic Open-minded Attentive and exquisite in listening Optimist Committed Supportive Well-rounded

Reflective Consistent Respectful Delighted attention(smiling) Have caring eye contact Have the view that the counselee is wise, capable and divine Has clear foresight and supposition

Values
Neutral stance- non-judgmental Offers option not directions Respect on feelings Recognize limitations

Ethics
Should know when to act and not to act. Should maintain confidentiality Should know the difference of being a support person and a protector or rescuer Should acknowledge the counselees rights to make their own decisions and to live with its consequences

Models of Peer Counseling

The Generalist counselor is
placed on the intake level, determines the problem and makes referral. The Instructional basically involves the teaching of skills. The Outreach involves going out to people to make known to them what the independent living philosophy.

THANK YOU!
May your counseling journey be fruitful and fulfilling