For Therapists - Promoting Connection Through Peer Consultation Groups

Early in our professional careers, therapists are often led to participate in peer consultation groups as a part of the process to obtain supervision hours for licensure. We learn about diagnostic criteria and listen to our peers while they process therapy challenges. Once licensed, there may be a wide range of reasons to continue attending consultation groups from as simple as wanting to eat lunch with other providers to as difficult as presenting a case with complicated ethical or legal concerns.

As therapists become comfortable in our practices, we may drift away from peer consultation. Adding an hour or two to our schedules can feel overwhelming or unnecessary. We can talk ourselves into the idea that “We’ve got this.” It seems that carrying our caseloads independently is possible. Likely, you do have this, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Our Educators and Boards have warned us against skipping peer consultation while asserting some of the risks as loneliness, isolation, burnout, poor decisions, mistakes, lack of resources, and cultural incapacity. Let’s present this information in a more pleasant manner by restating it with affirmative language. Peer consultation leads to companionship, camaraderie, vitality, confidence, accuracy, opportunity, and increased cultural competency.

Finding a group may be as easy as looking within your own organization. Many employers and group practices have peer consultation groups. Some mental health specialties have their own gatherings. Additionally, Minnesota Women in Psychology as well as Grander Peace Counseling each host meetings. Also, you could also start your own. Click the “Ask Us” link to join the GPC Peer Consultation Group. See you there!