Introduction
In communities across the country, juvenile justice and rehabilitation programs are facing a critical challenge: how to effectively support young people in their reentry journey and reduce the risks of recidivism, suicidal ideation, violence, and self-harm. Traditional models of support—focused solely on professional intervention—are evolving to include a powerful, emerging strategy: peer-to-peer counseling. By equipping young people with the tools to become certified peer counselors, programs can unlock the potential for meaningful change and sustained success in rehabilitation efforts.
This approach is more than just an innovative strategy; it’s a necessary shift in how we think about youth rehabilitation and support. Let’s explore why peer counseling matters and how it can transform outcomes for both young people reentering their communities, and the systems designed to serve them.
What Is Peer-to-Peer Counseling?
Peer-to-peer counseling is a model that trains individuals, often of a similar age or life experience, to provide emotional support, guidance, and encouragement to others facing similar challenges. In the context of juvenile justice and reentry programs, peer counselors offer unique insight and empathy. These young counselors—who are often former justice-involved youth or participants in workforce development programs—are equipped to provide nonjudgmental support to their peers, fostering an environment of trust and connection.
Peer support has been implemented in a wide range of environments (communities, hospitals, emergency departments, treatment and recovery agencies, behavioral and integrated health, the justice system, etc.) and may be referred to by different names depending on the setting and practice throughout the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes peer support as “offering and receiving help, based on shared understanding, respect and mutual empowerment between people in similar situations.” The concept of lived/living experiences is the foundation of peer support creating a sense of shared trust and connection.
Certified peer-to-peer counselors undergo specialized training to develop competencies in mental health support, trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, and suicide prevention. This training ensures they can provide meaningful help while also maintaining professional boundaries and promoting safety.
Why Peer-to-Peer Counseling Works
Youth who have experienced the justice system often struggle with trust issues toward authority figures, including therapists, caseworkers, and probation officers. This mistrust can act as a barrier to receiving effective care. Peer counselors bridge this gap by offering guidance from a place of shared experience, which fosters rapport and credibility. A 2021 study investigating the most important characteristics of peer mentors in two reentry prisons with peer mentor programs found that the history of incarceration and trauma were the most important characteristics of peer mentors. The shared experience in peer-to-peer counseling is what makes it especially unique and mutually valuable.
Here’s why peer counseling is an essential tool:
- Reducing Recidivism: Studies show that individuals who engage in peer support programs experience lower levels of recidivism. When youth connect with someone who truly understands their struggles, they are more likely to remain engaged in reentry programs and resist the behaviors that lead to reoffending. Peer counselors model positive behaviors and offer insight into navigating challenges, reducing the likelihood of future involvement with the justice system.
- Mitigating Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm: Many justice-involved youth face mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health disorders among justice-involved youth range between 50-80%. The 2018 Juvenile Residential Facility Census shows that suicide was the most common cause of death in most years between 2000-2018 across the United States. Peer counselors are trained to recognize warning signs of suicidal ideation and self-harm, offering timely support and connecting individuals to professional resources when necessary.
- Preventing Violence and Promoting Conflict Resolution: Many young people involved in the justice system have grown up in environments where violence is normalized. Peer counselors help promote healthy coping mechanisms and conflict resolution strategies, empowering youth to break cycles of violence in their lives and communities.
The Dual Impact of Peer Counseling: A Win-Win Model
Training youth as peer counselors has a dual impact: it not only benefits those receiving support but also profoundly affects the counselors themselves. Participating as a peer counselor builds leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem—traits that enhance personal development and future employability. These young leaders emerge with a sense of purpose and responsibility, becoming positive role models within their communities.
For youth workforce programs collaborating with juvenile justice initiatives, this model offers a sustainable pathway for employment. Certified peer counseling credentials can open doors to careers in social work, mental health services, and public health, providing long-term opportunities for young people to thrive beyond the program.
Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Success
For peer-to-peer counseling programs to succeed, they must be embedded in a supportive ecosystem. Collaboration between care management organizations, juvenile justice programs, and workforce development initiatives is essential to create an environment where youth feel empowered and supported. A few key components of this ecosystem include:
- Trauma-Informed Training: Counselors must understand the impact of trauma and how it shapes behavior to effectively support their peers.
- Supervision and Mentorship: Ongoing guidance from professionals ensures peer counselors stay grounded, maintain healthy boundaries, and continue developing their skills.
- Integration with Existing Services: Peer counseling should complement—not replace—existing mental health, education, and social services.
- Ongoing Support for Peer Counselors: Just as they provide care to others, peer counselors need access to mental health support to manage the emotional demands of their role.
Certification Procedures and Requirements
Certification for youth peer counselors in the juvenile justice context must adhere to state-level rules and national standards. Organizations such as SAMHSA and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) play key roles in promoting standards and best practices for peer support.
In 2015, SAMHSA developed a set of competencies to guide the delivery of peer support in behavioral health services. In 2019, the National Association of Peer Supporters developed the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors outlining guidance for supervisors of peer support workers. Most recently in 2023, SAMHSA released the National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification. The standards cover 11 important areas that are “inclusive of substance use, mental health, and family peer certifications” and are based on guidance from a diverse set of technical experts, peer workforce, and existing state requirements for peer support training and certification.
The peer support certification process is complex and varies from state to state but generally aligns with SAMHSA’s standards.
Leveraging Technology in Certification and Support
AI and chat-based technologies are increasingly used in juvenile justice programs to complement peer counseling efforts. These tools can monitor interactions for distress signals, recommend interventions, and offer 24/7 support through virtual chat platforms. This integration ensures that peer counselors have continuous access to guidance and that justice-involved youth receive timely support. It also allows for real-time feedback and data collection, improving the quality and effectiveness of the program.
By training youth in peer counseling and embedding technology into these programs, organizations can create supportive networks that improve mental health outcomes, reduce violent behavior, and lower recidivism rates. This approach not only empowers youth counselors with valuable skills but also offers justice-involved youth accessible, relatable support systems throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Conclusion: A New Model for Rehabilitation and Reentry
Peer-to-peer counseling offers a promising path forward for juvenile justice programs and reentry initiatives, transforming the way we support young people during one of the most critical stages of their lives. By equipping youth with the skills and certification to serve as peer counselors, we create a ripple effect of positive change—reducing risks of recidivism, self-harm, and violence, while promoting healing and growth.
Care management organizations and workforce development programs are uniquely positioned to lead this charge by collaborating to develop sustainable, youth-centered models of care. Together, we can ensure that justice-involved youth not only survive their reentry journey but thrive as they rebuild their lives—becoming the mentors, leaders, and changemakers of tomorrow.