Peer Support vs. Professional Therapy: What Works Best in Long-Term Recovery?

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Peer Support vs. Professional Therapy: What Works Best in Long-Term Recovery?

Navigating the world of recovery can feel like learning a new language – with advancing knowledge, you have several options at your fingertips. Two of the leading options when it comes to substance use and mental health recovery are peer support and professional therapy. These have become the gold standards – the foundations, so to speak. But which one is better? Which one is right for you? Please read on further to find out!

What Is Peer Support?

Peer support involves people who share common struggles and experiences coming together as equals to offer support and encouragement in a non-judgmental setting. 

Many who struggle with substance use and mental health conditions find it difficult to connect with others. In fact, they tend to withdraw and isolate themselves from the world or get into toxic relationships that perpetuate the vicious cycle. But everybody needs social support to heal.

Peer support is a crucial form of social support as you get to connect with those facing similar struggles – those who understand where you have been and where you are going. You can find peer support in settings such as:

• Group therapy
• Sober living
• 12-Step peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART Recovery, and so on.

What Is Professional Therapy?

Professional therapy is provided by a licensed and trained mental health specialist, such as a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or counselor. It follows a structured and goal-oriented path to change unhealthy patterns, develop coping strategies, and achieve personal growth. 

Professional therapy can be both traditional and complementary. Some of the common types of therapeutic interventions are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Psychoanalytic therapy/psychodynamic therapy
• Mindfulness therapy
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Dance therapy.

What Are the Benefits of Peer Support in Recovery?

Peer support is a person-centered approach to recovery. It is grounded in the understanding that you are not alone, and you do not have to be. It believes in mutual support and growth, and offers the following benefits:

• A goal-oriented approach that focuses on disclosing personal experiences, finding encouragement, and taking ownership of one’s own recovery.

• Connects you to peers, community, and other services you need.
• Offers emotional support rooted in shared experiences. 
• Offers education and self-help tools.
• Advocates for those who are navigating mental health systems. It also equips you with information regarding your needs and rights.

What Are the Benefits of Professional Therapy in Recovery?

While the idea of professional therapy can seem intimidating initially, it is proven to enhance your quality of life in more ways than one. The benefits of professional therapy in recovery are:

• Identifies your triggers and stressors that lead to harmful behavioral patterns.
• Enables you to overcome harmful behaviors.
• Develops productive coping mechanisms.
• Enhances self-worth, self-esteem, and resilience.
• Heals your broken relationships.
• Makes you physically healthier.

The good thing about professional therapy is that there are different approaches, each of which is designed to address different kinds of mental health concerns for different persons. It does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach and can be tailored to meet you where you are.

Comparing Peer Support and Professional Therapy

Here is a comparison between peer support and professional therapy for your understanding:

When Does Peer Support Work Best?

Peer support is most effective in the context of aftercare. Aftercare is when you need ongoing structure and support for a sustained recovery, even after your professional treatment is over. 

Recovery is a lifelong journey – and peer support helps you prioritize and take personal ownership every single day going forward. 

However, even if you are starting out on your recovery journey – reaching out for peer support instantly assures you that you are not alone. Your peers will also help you find the resources you need for a successful recovery, so it can become a good starting point.

Some people also find that transitioning to a sober living environment helps maintain structure, build accountability, and stay connected to a supportive community during early recovery.

When Does Professional Therapy Work Best?

Professional therapy works best when you need to address clinical symptoms that are impacting your daily life and functioning. It is provided by licensed and trained mental health specialists, so it will help you uncover underlying trauma and other harmful patterns that peers are not trained to do.

Professional therapy can also help you navigate other life stressors, such as everyday challenges, life transitions, loss, and grief. Programs like an Intensive Outpatient Program provide a balance between structured therapeutic support and the flexibility to continue your regular routines.

What Works Best in Long-Term Recovery?

In the context of what works best for your lasting recovery, the answer is both. Professional therapy and peer support have different positions in your journey, and both are credible and evidence-based ways to your healing.

There are many studies that have shown that peer support is as effective and cheaper than professional therapy, but it is no replacement. Both can work in tandem, where you can benefit from professional care and an empathetic listening ear. 

While professional therapy helps you address and reduce clinical symptoms, peer support allows for sustained recovery by providing structure and community.

Tips for Choosing What’s Right for You

To choose between peer support and professional therapy, here are some things you can look into:

• Consider the symptoms – peers are not trained to address severe mental health disorders or crises.
• If you are struggling with underlying trauma and other harmful patterns that are leading to detrimental behaviors, one-on-one sessions with your therapist offer a safe, private setting in which you can uncover and overcome them.
• If you can benefit from lived experiences, non-judgmental settings, and community, peer support can benefit you.

What is right for you may not be evident at the outset – recovery is also about finding what is comfortable for you. So, you will have to try both and gauge where they fit in with your recovery needs and goals.

Final Reflections

Everyone’s mental health journey is unique – it is your own path at your own pace. Peer support and professional therapy are major tools to make your recovery a lasting one. Both have distinct philosophies and benefits, and can co-exist in your recovery journey as they serve different purposes.