Peer-Supported Treatment for Adults

This chapter provides an overview of current research on peer-based interventions for adults in individual treatment. We focus particularly on peer support as an adjunct to evidence-based treatment provided by a professional. Peer support in this therapeutic context refers to individuals with relevant lived experience, such as those who had the same diagnosis or who have successfully completed the same type of treatment and have made significant strides in their recovery. Additionally, we present a detailed outline of our program, “PE + Peers,” which introduced emotional and instrumental peer support during Prolonged Exposure (PE), a PTSD treatment protocol that typically has high dropout rates. Areas of future research and cultural considerations in the implementation of peer-based interventions are featured as well.