The life experiences of peer-workers create common ground from which the trust relationship with the person is formed. Empowerment, empathy, hope and choice along with mutuality are the main drivers in peer support work.
There is a great deal of strength gained from knowing someone who has walked where you are walking and now has a life of their choosing. It is led by a trained peer worker, and not a professional therapist, although counsellors and/or social workers may have some involvement with the agreement of the survivor.
People engage with each other and others for support that is based on mutual learning from their shared (lived) experience. The support may include a mix of self-help, mutual (one on one) support, group support and mentoring initiatives.
Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process.
