Youth & Family Peer Support Services Across NYC (In-Person & Telehealth)
Why Choose Mount Behavioral Health Peer Specialists? At Mount Behavioral Health, Peer Support allows children, teens, young adults, and families to connect with someone who truly understands their experiences. Our Peer Support Specialists use their lived experience to provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical guidance in a safe, respectful, and judgment-free environment.Peer support services are available across all five boroughs of New York City – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island – in person, with telehealth services available when needed.Peer Support is offered as an add-on to therapy services. While clients do not receive peer support without eventually enrolling in therapy, sessions can begin with peer support to help clients and families decide whether therapy is the right next step.
What is Peer Support?
Peer Support is a structured, non-clinical service provided by trained and credentialed individuals who have lived experience with mental health challenges or caregiving for a child with mental health needs.
Rather than telling clients what to do, Peer Support Specialists walk alongside them as mentors, supporters, and advocates. They offer understanding, relatable guidance, and real-life coping strategies that feel personal and achievable.
At Mount Behavioral Health, Peer Support is designed to complement therapy and help reinforce progress made in clinical treatment such as CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, ERP, and other evidence-based approaches.
Many families choose Peer Support in addition to therapy so that youth and parents can feel heard, understood, and consistently supported between clinical sessions.
Rather than telling clients what to do, Peer Support Specialists walk alongside them as mentors, supporters, and advocates. They offer understanding, relatable guidance, and real-life coping strategies that feel personal and achievable.
At Mount Behavioral Health, Peer Support is designed to complement therapy and help reinforce progress made in clinical treatment such as CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, ERP, and other evidence-based approaches.
Many families choose Peer Support in addition to therapy so that youth and parents can feel heard, understood, and consistently supported between clinical sessions.
Who We Serve
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Our Peer Support program is designed for:
Children
Teens
Young adults
Parents and caregivers of youth facing mental health challenges
Teens
Young adults
Parents and caregivers of youth facing mental health challenges
Peer Support is provided in person across all 5 NYC boroughs and virtually through telehealth, depending on the cliWe provide support for individuals and families navigating:
Two Types of Peer Support We Offer
Youth Peer Advocacy (YPA)
Youth Peer Advocates support young people who have lived experience with mental, emotional, or behavioral health challenges. They work directly with youth to build confidence, strengthen coping strategies, and help them develop independence, resilience, and self-advocacy.
Youth Peer Advocates support teens and young adults in areas such as:
Youth Peer Advocates support teens and young adults in areas such as:
To better understand the state-recommended role and scope of peer services, you can view the official NYS OMH Peer Support Services document here.
Family Peer Advocacy (FPA)
Family Peer Advocates support parents and caregivers of children and youth who are struggling with mental health challenges. FPAs have lived experience navigating child-serving systems and support families by:
Both YPA and FPA services are integrated into the client’s treatment plan and supervised in alignment with NYS OMH guidelines.
Types of Peer Support Services Available
One-on-One Peer Support
Private sessions focusing on emotional support, practical coping skills, goal-setting, and encouragement for youth or parents/caregivers.
Peer Support Group Meetings
Facilitated small group sessions where youth or families can connect with others who share similar experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
Telehealth Peer Support
Secure video or phone sessions for clients who prefer support from home or who are unable to attend in-person sessions.
Conditions and Challenges Supported
How Peer Support Works – Step by Step
Initial Contact
Families contact Mount Behavioral Health to learn more about Peer Support and therapy options.
Matching with a Peer Specialist
The client is matched with a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or Family Peer Advocate (FPA) based on needs, age, and lived experience.
First Sessions & Goal Setting
Early sessions focus on trust-building, identifying challenges, and setting achievable goals.
Ongoing Support & Collaboration
Peer Support continues alongside therapy once the client enrolls, reinforcing skills, progress, and emotional growth.
Building Independence & Wellness
Youth and families gain confidence, resilience, and long-term coping tools.
Peer Support Across All NYC Boroughs
Mount Behavioral Health provides in-person Peer Support in all five NYC boroughs and telehealth options for convenience and flexibility. We encourage in-person sessions whenever possible, as they strengthen connection and outcomes.
Appointments are scheduled to support families and align with school and work routines.
Appointments are scheduled to support families and align with school and work routines.
Ready to Get Started?
If you or your child is feeling overwhelmed and needs additional support, our Peer Support program can help provide guidance, encouragement, and hope.
To get started or to learn more, contact our team here: https://www.mountbh.org/contact
You may also explore our therapy services here: https://www.mountbh.org/treatments/peer-support
There's no such thing as a perfect parent, but there is such a thing as the right help.
What is the difference between Peer Support and Therapy?
Is Peer Support available online?
Do you offer Peer Support in all of NYC?
How do I begin Peer Support services?
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