Agreements of Peer Counseling

Introduction
Like everything in life, there are rules to follow. It is the same in Peer Counseling. The Agreements of Peer Counseling are to create an atmosphere of trust and security where the client is able to express themselves openly. Following that, they are then able to find ways to overcome the problems that they are facing.

Agreements of Peer Counseling
1. To allocate time equally
2. To protect confidentiality and privacy
3. To not deny or criticize
4. To not give advice or instruction
plus
5. To refrain as much as possible from smoking, drinking liquor or beverages containing caffeine, and sweets during sessions

The First Agreement - To allocate equal time
This only applies in group Peer Counseling. In this type of counselling, everyone will have the same amount of time to talk. The amount of time allocated is dependent on the number of participants. It can range from five to ten minutes.

The Second Agreement – To maintain confidentiality and privacy
Trust is important. The client must be able to trust the counsellor for him to talk openly about his problems. Therefore, the counsellor must maintain confidentiality and privacy. At no time should he divulge anything that was spoken during the session to anybody.

The Third Agreement - To not deny or criticize
A Peer Counselor must accept all that the client reveals during the session. Peer Counselers must neither judge nor criticize the client for whatever reason. A Peer Counselor’s opinions are irrelevant during a session. The time for the session is entirely the clients and they can use that time in any way they like. Peer Counsellors are there to provide support and listen.

The Fourth Agreement - To not give advice or instruction
Every human has the power to resolve the challenges that they face. Likewise, in Peer Counseling, the client is encouraged to recognise their problems by talking openly about it. Through that they are able to discover ways and means to resolve those problems.

Plus One - To refrain as much as possible from smoking, drinking liquor or beverages containing caffeine, and sweets during sessions
Alcohol, caffeine and sweets are known to alter moods. During Peer Counseling sessions, clients should be in full conscious control of themselves without the influence of external substances. Only when the client is in full control of their senses are they able to come to a rational decision to solve the problems they are facing.