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My Space, Your Space, Our Space: Exploring the Potential of Collaborative Group Facilitation Between Therapists and Peer Workers in Mental Health Settings

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Abstract

This paper explores the potential of collaborative group facilitation between therapists and peer workers in mental health. A case study of co-practice between a music therapist and a peer worker is used to illustrate how lived experience expertise can enrich and complement therapeutic groups. The paper aims to begin a discussion around collaborative group facilitation within mental health practice and to advocate for continued development of collaborative practice between peer workers and therapists. Experiences of collaboration are explored through the case study provided using a synthesis of the authors’ reflections and dialogue. The importance of role negotiation, role definition, and open communication around changing roles and boundaries are discussed as key considerations for beginning collaborations, as well as the establishment and maintenance of a foundation of trust and support within the working relationship.

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Funding

No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Kirsten Hillman & Jennifer Bibb

  2. Cohealth Community Health Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    David Pedlar

  3. St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Jennifer Bibb

Authors
  1. Kirsten Hillman
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  2. David Pedlar
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  3. Jennifer Bibb
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Contributions

KH took primarily responsibility for writing the manuscript, and engaged with the co-authors in reflective co-construction of the ideas presented herein. DP participated in reflective discussions around experiences of collaborative practice, and contributed ideas and refinements to several drafts of the manuscript. Dr. JB assisted with formulating the premise of the paper, and contributed supervision and ongoing feedback to the first author, from the inception of the paper to the final draft.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kirsten Hillman.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Approval

This paper focuses on examples of co-practice between the first two authors. The Cohealth Human Ethics Advisory Group has deemed the following study exempt from ethics approval processes due to its focus on the authors’ collaboration rather than participant experiences.

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Hillman, K., Pedlar, D. & Bibb, J. My Space, Your Space, Our Space: Exploring the Potential of Collaborative Group Facilitation Between Therapists and Peer Workers in Mental Health Settings. Community Ment Health J 58, 407–414 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00859-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00859-w

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