by Communications Staff
November 17, 2005 — When Fran Grossman, PhD, was treating a very challenging client several years ago, she wasn't sure she could continue the therapy.
"I was treating a client who was very smart, and very damaged by past experiences," says Grossman. "This client verbally attacked me on a regular basis."
Grossman turned to her peer consultation group for help. She discussed the situation with her colleagues in the group, and received the support and the answers she needed to maintain a dialogue with her client.
"I used the group to help me continue talking with [the client] and not simply to flee," says Grossman.
Peer consultation groups provide a forum for practitioners to meet informally with peers and colleagues to discuss clinical and practice issues in a supportive and confidential setting. Many practitioners like Grossman report that participating in such a group is an important professional activity for finding support and exchanging information about practice and therapy.
This article discusses how practitioners can benefit from participation in a peer consultation group, various forms the groups can take, and additional considerations related to peer consultation.