Teenagers Counseling Teenagers: Peer Programs Gaining Acceptance

Abstract:
This article provides an introduction to peer counseling programs, in which teenagers gain the tools to be highly effective listeners. The article explores factors that influence a student's decision to become a peer counselor, ways that other students connect with peer counselors, and elements common in peer counselor training. Typically, a semester-long academic course given after-hours at school trains students in active listening, mediation, and conflict resolution and considers prevalent teenage issues such as dating angst, trouble at home, pregnancy, depression, and drugs. Peer counselors are taught that their job isn't to solve problems, much less to practice therapy. They're just supposed to listen--fully engaged, with empathy and without judgment. Peer counseling capitalizes on the developmental task that drives adolescence--finding community among peers while detaching from parents. As one adolescent therapist states, "Well-run peer counseling programs give adults a bridge into the youth world." The article highlights the role of peer counselors as part of a larger support network--any talk of suicide, for example, must immediately be passed on to the program's coordinator, usually the guidance counselor. "Realistically," the article states, "not all adults are as comfortable as they like to imagine talking to kids about certain issues--especially to their own kids." Peer counselors can therefore play a unique role in helping other students access needed resources. This article highlights this role in a positive way that will be helpful to those considering or already operating a peer counseling program.

Author(s): WEISMAN, Rachel

Publication: The Washington Post


Date Published: 3/24/1998

Pages: 3

Location Code: 11158