Which approach is commonly used in peer counseling?

The strengths-based approach is commonly used in peer counseling because it focuses on identifying and leveraging the individual's inherent strengths and resources rather than concentrating on their limitations or problems. This method fosters empowerment, encouraging individuals to recognize and build on their capabilities. In peer counseling, the relationship is grounded in mutual support and shared experiences, allowing counselors to adopt a perspective that emphasizes growth, resilience, and self-efficacy.

By utilizing this approach, peer counselors can help individuals navigate personal challenges while instilling hope and motivation. This method aligns with the core values of peer support, where the goal is to uplift one another and cultivate a sense of agency and self-determination.

The other approaches, such as the deficit-focused approach, which emphasizes problems and weaknesses, do not align with the empowering nature of peer counseling. Similarly, directive and traditional counseling approaches may impose solutions and expert knowledge, which can undermine the mutuality and collaborative spirit that are essential in peer counseling dynamics.