What should a peer counselor do if a peer shares their spiritual experiences?

Validating a peer's spiritual experiences is crucial in peer counseling as it demonstrates respect and understanding for their personal journey. Spiritual experiences can be deeply personal and significant to an individual, often influencing their emotional and mental wellbeing. By validating these experiences, a peer counselor fosters a safe environment where the individual feels acknowledged and supported.

This practice not only allows the peer to express themselves freely but also builds a trusting relationship, encouraging open communication. It affirms that their feelings and experiences are legitimate, which can be pivotal for their self-exploration and healing process. In contrast, dismissing these experiences, challenging their beliefs, or urging them to forget about them would likely invalidate their feelings and could hinder the peer’s trust and openness, undermining the goals of peer counseling.