Peer Counseling
Someone to talk to.
Someone who understands.
At the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, we offer free Peer Counseling for adults ages 18 and older who need someone to talk to.
Sometimes what people need most is not a diagnosis or a program, but a real human being who understands. Our trained Peer Advocates have lived experience with mental health and recovery, and they offer support rooted in empathy, respect, and hope.
Peer counseling creates a space where you can speak openly, be heard without judgment, and begin to find your own path forward. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, navigating recovery, facing life changes, or simply need someone to listen, you are welcome.
There is no cost and no referral required.
Because everyone deserves support, and no one should have to struggle alone.
Interested in Free Peer Counseling?
Please call 607 277-PEER (7337) or click the button below to email. A peer advocate will reach out to schedule your sessions!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Peer Advocates offer non-judgemental emotional support and relapse prevention. A Peer Advocate may help you:
Identify personal strengths that can assist you with maintaining recovery goals and managing mental illness.
Build peer relationships and create stronger natural support networks.
Enhance social skills allowing you to live, work and participate more fully in your communities.
Navigate community services and resources.
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Peer Counseling is a non-clinical service and is not a replacement for therapy, psychiatric care, or other clinical treatment.
If your needs go beyond what peer support can provide, we can help you explore additional options, including connecting with a licensed therapist or other mental health professional. Peer support can also work alongside clinical care as part of your overall support system.
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No. Peer Counseling is free, and you do not need a diagnosis, insurance, or a referral to receive support.
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You can talk about whatever is important to you. This might include mental health challenges, relationships, work, housing, navigating services, building coping skills, recovery goals, or simply having someone to talk things through with. Peer Counseling is guided by what you need and what matters to you.Item description
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Peer Counseling is available in person at our office at 511 W. Seneca Street in Ithaca, or remotely by Zoom, phone, or text chat. We want support to be accessible and comfortable, so you can choose the option that works best for you.
As part of Peer Counseling, we offer additional programs and tools that can be tailored to your individual needs, goals, and recovery journey. MHA Peer Advocates can help you explore which options may be helpful for you.
The WRAP process supports you to identify the tools that keep you well and create action plans to put them into practice in your everyday life.
What is WRAP?
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
WRAP is an evidence-based, self-directed wellness and recovery process that helps you identify what supports your well-being and what you can do when life becomes more challenging.
Working with a Peer Advocate, you can create your own WRAP based on your experiences, strengths, goals, and the tools that work best for you. Your plan can help you:
Identify the things you do every day to support your wellness
Recognize situations or experiences that may affect your well-being
Notice early signs that things may be getting more difficult
Create a plan for maintaining wellness and moving toward your personal goals
We also offer WRAP workshops throughout the year. Check our calendar for upcoming workshops, or contact our office by phone or email to learn more about individual WRAP support and upcoming opportunities.
CarePath™ helps participants build greater self-awareness and make intentional choices that support their overall mind-body health.
What is CarePath™?
CarePath™ is a non-clinical support program for youth ages 12+ and adults who are experiencing challenges with their mental health or well-being.
CarePath™ recognizes that our well-being is connected to the people around us. Participants choose people they trust such as family members, friends, or other supportive people to join them in the process. Together, they explore mind-body wellness, identify strengths and needs, and learn ways to support one another.
Each participant creates their own personalized plan and sets realistic goals based on what wellness and recovery mean to them. The process encourages everyone involved to take an active role not only in supporting the person who initially sought help, but in strengthening their own well-being as well.
CarePath™ typically includes five or more sessions.
MHCP is a family- and community-focused initiative designed to support individuals aged 12 and older as they transition from mental health challenges to wellness.
What are Mental Health
Community Partner Services?
The MHCP Program founded as an extension of MHANY’s (Mental Health Association in New York State) CarePath™ program supports the recovery of adults and youth aged 12+ with serious mental illness/serious emotional disturbance as they transition from any type of treatment setting to the community. The 90-day transitional program engages individuals in recovery and their familiar or chosen supports throughout the pre and post discharge stages.
With the support of a certified Mental Health Community Partner, individuals and their families/supporters are guided in creating a comprehensive care planning strategy to successfully transition to the community and prevent re-hospitalization.
