Characteristics of peer visitor
We have reviewed the roles and responsibilities of a peer visitor, now let’s take explore the characteristics and competencies a peer visitor should have.
Characteristics
Good peer visitors have the following characteristics. They:
- Have made progress in their own recovery journey
- Have good active and sensitive listening skills
- Understand and guide the person seeking support
- Can identify and appropriately handle crisis situations
- Are proactive in providing the person seeking support with ACC and other community resources and information
- Understand the boundaries of a peer support visitor
- Ask questions and for help when assistance is needed
- Are approachable and easy to communicate with
- Provide judgment-free care
- Show respect, empathy, and compassion
- Can acknowledge that the peer visitation is not about them and about the person seeking support
- Are aware not to direct own beliefs onto the person seeking support.
Competencies
Peer visitors should also have the following competencies (2016 PSACC National Certification Handbook):
| Hope | Peer visitors express confidence that others will be successful in their own personal journeys of recovery |
| Demeanour | Peer visitors are sensitive to what others might be feeling, have a capacity for non-judgmental empathy, and respond from an equal, genuine, and sharing point of view |
| Interpersonal relations | Peer visitors honour the dignity of others and strive to build positive, respectful relationships |
| Communications | Peer visitors listen with empathy and without judgment holding the person they’re visiting within unconditional high regard |
| Self-management and resiliency | Peer visitors understand the importance of self-care and stress management. They model practices that work best for them to remain healthy while they support others. |
| Flexibility and adaptability | Peer visitors are open to new ideas, deal comfortably with ambiguity, and adjust plans and behaviours recording to the situation. |
| Self-awareness and confidence | Peer visitors interact in a manner that demonstrates a balance of self-confidence with openness to the opinions of others. They are able to self-reflect and understand that their personal thoughts and attitudes can affect their behaviours and their actions |
| Initiative and commitment | peer visitors are dependable and carry their commitments to completion |
| Critical thinking | Peer visitors are able to engage in active listening to better understand the situation and to recognize that there is more than one way to view any shoe. They consider the possible implications or outcomes of their actions and when asked will help their peers to explore the outcome or possible consequences of various options. |
| Continuous learning and development | Peer visitors approach their life and volunteer work in a curious manner, identifying areas where they were personal growth is needed; they also take advantage of any opportunities to learn and develop in the role. |
Instructor Notes:
Concepts: Key Concepts to Cover
- Characteristics a peer support demonstrates
- e.g have made progress in their recovery journey, provide judgement free care, is proficient in identifying and handling crisis situations etc…
- Competencies essential for a peer visitor
- List each competency and describe what actions and/or behaviors it implies
Reflective Exercise Facilitation:
- Ask the class prior to teaching this section to: write down on a piece of paper some characteristics and competencies they think are essential for a peer visitor
- After teaching the key concepts ask the class: if the characteristics/competencies wrote on their pieces of paper were similar to what was discussed
- Ask the class: if there are any competencies they think need further developing within themselves and if so, how are they going to improve?
- Ask the class to raise their hand if they feel they have something to share
Fill in the Blanks Activity:
- Read the paragraph below omitting the fill in the blank words and have everyone write down what they think the blank space word should be filled with
- When everyone has written down their answers ask volunteers to share what their answers are
- Go over the correct answers
When a peer visitor is open to new ideas they are competent in communication. When they respond from and equal and sharing point of view they are demonstrating a competent demeanor. A peer visitor who listens with empathy and without judgment is demonstrated competency in critical thinking. Peer visitors who consider the outcomes of their actions are demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.
