Peer Consultation Groups for Therapists: How They Work and How to Find One

A peer consultation group for therapists is a small group of clinicians who meet regularly to talk through cases, share perspectives, and support each other, without anyone in the room acting as a supervisor. Many therapists say they would like to be in one, but finding one can be surprisingly hard, especially once you've left the built-in community of graduate school or agency work.

This guide covers what peer consultation is, how it differs from supervision and from a facilitated consultation group, how peer groups are usually run, and how to find or start one.

What is a peer consultation group?

In a peer consultation group, the members are colleagues of roughly equal standing. There is no designated expert. Members take turns presenting cases or questions, and the group thinks them through together. A 2022 article in the Journal of Health Service Psychology describes these groups as typically "small (4-6 members), informal, leaderless, and democratic," often formed through personal contacts and meeting on a regular schedule.

Many therapists use "peer supervision" and "peer consultation" to mean the same thing. Strictly speaking, though, there's no supervision happening: no one in a peer group evaluates the others or takes on professional responsibility for their clients. That's what makes peer consultation feel different from supervision, and it's also why it can't stand in for supervision when you need it.

Peer consultation vs. supervision vs. a facilitated group

Peer groups are one of several kinds of consultation. It helps to know where they sit before you go looking.

For a fuller comparison of the last two columns, see clinical consultation vs. supervision.

Why therapists join peer consultation groups

The most common reason is isolation. Private practice especially can mean whole weeks without talking to another clinician about the work. The 2022 article argues that peer consultation "counters isolation and burnout by promoting a sense of community, collegiality, and connection."

There's an ethical side too. Consulting with colleagues is part of how therapists catch blind spots, think through gray areas, and notice when their own reactions are shaping a case. The APA Ethics Code, for example, says that when psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their work, they take appropriate measures such as obtaining professional consultation (Standard 2.06). A standing peer group makes that kind of consultation easy to reach for, rather than something you have to arrange in a hurry.

And peer groups are simply useful. Colleagues trained in different approaches will see a stuck case differently than you do, and the group often becomes a trusted referral network as well.

Interest seems to outpace access. The only survey on how many psychologists use peer consultation groups is old (Lewis and colleagues, 1988), but it found that about a quarter of psychologists in private practice belonged to one, while a majority of the sample, 61%, said they were interested in joining.

How peer consultation groups are usually run

There's no single format, but most groups settle on a few shared agreements early.

Size

Small groups work best. With about three members, everyone gets more airtime. With five or six, you get a wider range of perspectives. Much beyond that, it gets hard for everyone to present regularly.

How often to meet

Regular meetings, often every two weeks or monthly, work better than meeting only when someone has a crisis case. A predictable rhythm builds trust, and attendance matters: in a small group, one or two absences change the whole conversation.

A simple meeting format

Many groups use a light structure so time doesn't slip away. A brief check-in, then one or two members present a case or question, ideally saying up front what kind of input they want. The group asks clarifying questions before offering ideas, and the presenter closes with what they're taking away. Rotating who presents, and who keeps time, keeps the group from becoming one person's group.

Confidentiality

Members should share only what's needed to think about a case, and never details that could identify a client without permission. It's worth agreeing explicitly on how you'll handle confidentiality, including in video meetings, before the first case is presented.

How to find a peer consultation group

Peer groups are often informal and rarely advertised, which is part of why they're hard to find. A few places to look:

• Colleagues you already know. Classmates, former coworkers, and clinicians you refer to are the most common source of peer groups.
• Professional associations and listservs. State and local associations, and the email lists and online communities around them, are where many peer consultation networks form. Posting that you're looking for a peer group often turns up others who are too.
• Trainings and conferences. People who just completed the same training are natural peers, and some groups start among clinicians who met at a workshop.
• Directories. On Therapist Groups, most listings are consultation groups with a facilitator, and many charge a per-session fee. Some describe themselves as peer groups, and you'll find those on our peer consultation groups page. You can also browse the newest groups or all groups by specialty.

How to start your own peer consultation group

If you can't find a group, starting one is very doable. Invite three to five clinicians whose work you respect, ideally with some variety in approach. Agree on a schedule and stick to it for a few months before judging how it's going. Set expectations together about attendance, confidentiality, and format, and revisit them every so often. Decide whether the group is closed (the same members over time) or open to new people. Closed groups tend to build more trust, while open ones last longer as people's lives change.

If you're running your group as a facilitator and are open to new members, you can list it on Therapist Groups for free.

Is a peer group enough?

For many licensed clinicians, a good peer group is the backbone of their ongoing professional support. But there are times you'll need something more structured:

• If you're pre-licensed, you need supervision from a qualified supervisor, and peer consultation won't count toward those hours. See our supervision and licensure groups.
• If you're pursuing a certification, many require consultation with an approved consultant, for example EMDR consultation for certification or an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant for IFS.
• If you want expert input on a specific modality or population, a facilitated group led by someone with deep experience in that area may move you further, faster.

Plenty of therapists do both: a paid, facilitated group for a specific skill, and a free peer group for everything else.