I was asked to review Peer Collective, a peer counselling service committed to supporting people emotionally by offering sessions with a peer counsellor.
As private therapy is expensive, I was looking for a cheaper alternative but with the same level of support.
It Lets You Pick The Race/Age/Sex Of Your Counsellor
I wanted to speak to someone who would understand my circumstances and be able to empathise with me. I’m female, aged 24 and a WOC so ideally, I wanted to choose someone who could identify with my situation and background.
This is a great feature as there are a shortage of BIPOC therapists and it’s essential to have them because they have a personal insight into issues that affect ethnic minorities
You Can Choose From A Selection Of Counsellors
After completing the assessment, you are able to see which counsellors are a ‘top match’ for you and it also gives you a wide selection of other counsellors you can choose from.
You Can See The Different Tools Your Counsellor Uses
When I found a peer counsellor I wanted to speak to, I was able to see the skills they specialise in. For example, my peer counsellor specialises in mindfulness, talk therapy, intergenerational friendships and more. It was useful to see what skills my counsellor was trained in. From the description underneath my counsellor’s name, I could see she was a “survivor of different traumas” and uses “compassion and healing” in her approach.
You Can Find LGBTQIA+ And Non -Binary/ Trans Counsellors
LGBTQIA+ and trans and non- binary people are more susceptible to mental illness. One in two transgender people will experience a mental illness and 41% have attempted suicide. This highlights the need to make therapy more accessible for them. Peer Collective lets you filter through the selection process to choose counsellors who are LGBTQIA+ or trans and non- binary.
The Prices Are Affordable
With private therapy costing as much as $65 to $250 or even more, it can be inaccessible for students, jobseekers and people on low wages. Prices range from $14 – $28 which is incredibly cheap!
There Are A Range Of Different Counselling Approaches
When filling out the assessment forms, you are asked what you want to get out of your sessions, whether that’s hearing from someone with a ‘new perspective’, ‘focused help with problem solving’, to feel less distressed or to just have ‘someone to listen’. I chose a mix of these options.
You Can Choose Whether To See Them Via Video Link Or Phone Call
Once I’d selected my counsellor, there was an option to speak to them for either 30 or 60 minutes and whether it was via video link or phone call. This is great for people who would prefer a more intimate session where you can see your counsellor and interact with them as if you were meeting in person.
Your Peer Counsellor Is Warm, Empathetic And Works With You
My counsellor was sincere, friendly and encouraging. She would stop at intervals to reiterate what I was saying and also checked what the best way to support me was. As I wanted to hear her perspective on what I was struggling with, I asked her advice about my situation and she offered her guidance in a friendly, compassionate way. I left the session feeling like I’d made a friend.
*While this is a sponsored review, this is an honest opinion of the service. For a free 60 minute session with Peer Collective, use code TB2020 at checkout.
