What do you do if your Peer Support interviewee is resistant to building rapport and trust?

1 Assess Comfort

When faced with resistance, it's important to assess the comfort level of your peer support interviewee. They might have concerns about the process or fear judgment. It's your role to create a safe space where they feel they can share without repercussions. This involves being patient, listening actively, and reassuring them that their feelings are valid. Acknowledge their discomfort and let them know it's okay to take things at their own pace. The key is to be empathetic and non-confrontational, allowing them to lead the conversation to where they feel most at ease.

2 Reflect Empathy

Empathy is a powerful tool in overcoming resistance in peer support. Reflecting empathy means actively listening and responding in a way that shows you understand and share their feelings. This doesn't mean you have to agree with everything they say, but it's important to validate their experiences. By doing so, you communicate that their perspective is important and that they're not alone. This can help break down barriers and show that you're there to support them, not to judge or change them.

3 Establish Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries from the outset can help alleviate some of the resistance you may encounter. It's important for your interviewee to know that their privacy will be respected and that they have control over what they choose to share. Discuss confidentiality and the limits of what will be discussed in your sessions. By setting these boundaries, you provide a framework that can make the interviewee feel more secure and willing to engage in the process.

4 Offer Control

Giving your interviewee some control over the process can significantly reduce resistance. Allow them to set the pace of the conversation and choose which topics they're comfortable discussing. You might also let them decide the setting for your meetings or the method of communication if possible. This sense of control can empower them and make them feel more invested in the peer support process. It's a simple but effective way to build trust and rapport.

5 Use Self-Disclosure

Careful self-disclosure can be an effective way to build rapport with a resistant interviewee in peer support. Sharing your own experiences and vulnerabilities can make you seem more relatable and less like a figure of authority. However, it's crucial to keep the focus on them and not overshare or turn the conversation into your own therapy session. The goal is to show that you understand their situation and that they're not alone in their struggles.