Peer counseling

Peer counseling is a supportive appointment with a person who has personal experience with a similar situation. At Meliva, the service focuses on fibromyalgia and chronic pain, as well as difficulties related to the use of smart devices and video games.

Text reviewed by specialist:

Karl Erik Saks

Peer support specialist

Published

Text updated

When to see a specialist

Fibromyalgia and chronic pain:

  • Living with fibromyalgia syndrome
  • Coping with chronic pain in daily life
  • Fatigue and fluctuating energy levels related to chronic illness
  • Reduced quality of life due to long-term pain
  • Adjusting to a chronic health condition
  • Feelings of loneliness related to one’s health situation
  • Difficulties adjusting to treatment or communicating with the treatment team

Digital wellbeing counseling:

  • Excessive video game use
  • Excessive smart device use
  • Balancing digital hygiene and screen time
  • Difficulties limiting gaming or screen time
  • Concerns about your own or a loved one’s digital habits
  • Family tension related to smart device or gaming use

Common symptoms

  • Difficulties adjusting to chronic illness

    The diagnosis or symptoms cause uncertainty and stress.
  • Difficulties stopping gaming

    Stopping gaming or device use feels difficult.
  • Family conflicts

    Tension related to your own or your child’s use of smart devices or gaming affects relationships.
  • Fatigue and exhaustion

    Fatigue persists even after rest, and everyday activities feel exhausting.

How to prepare for your appointment

  • Before the appointment, think about what kind of support you would like to receive from peer counseling.
  • If you wish, write down questions or topics you would like to discuss.
  • If you are seeking support because of chronic pain or fibromyalgia, think about which situations in daily life feel the most difficult.
  • If you are seeking support related to smart devices or gaming, think about your screen time habits and what concerns you the most.
  • Please bring an identification document with you.

What to expect during your appointment

Discussion about your experience

The appointment begins with a discussion where you can talk about your situation and what brought you to peer counseling.

Sharing experiences

If needed, the peer counselor shares their own experience and the solutions that have helped them.

Discussing possible solutions

Together, we discuss practical approaches that may help you cope better in daily life.

Further steps

At the end of the appointment, we discuss which recommendations may be worth trying and whether repeating the appointment could be beneficial. If necessary, we may also recommend seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Specialists providing this service

Payment & Appointment Info

Prices

Tallinn

Special care
Service Price
Visit fee Added to the appointment fee. 20 €
Preparation of a mental health certificate, extract or specialist assessment based on medical documentation at the patient's request 15–60 min 25–75 €

Everywhere else in Estonia

Special care
Service Price
Visit fee Added to the appointment fee. 13 €
Peer counselling 40 € A visit fee is added to the price.
Preparation of a mental health certificate, extract or specialist assessment based on medical documentation at the patient's request 15–60 min 25–75 €
Payment methods

Meliva Health Insurance covers this service under Outpatient Care coverage. Check your personal coverage limits in the ERGO app.

Referral

You can book this service as a self-paying patient without a doctor’s referral.

Clinics offering this service

  • Annelinna Clinic

    Annelinna Clinic

    Address: Mõisavahe 34c, 50708 Tartu

    Phone number: +3726051500

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a peer counselor?

A peer counselor is a person who has personal experience with a particular concern and has completed relevant training to support others.

What is the difference between a peer counselor and a psychologist?

A psychologist is a specialist with professional higher education in psychology. A peer counselor is a person who has personally gone through a similar situation and completed peer counselor training. These roles complement one another – a peer counselor can offer a type of understanding that a clinical appointment may not provide.

Is peer counseling suitable for everyone?

Peer counseling may be beneficial for people who would like to talk with someone who has had a similar experience.

Is peer counseling suitable for a loved one, not only for myself?

Yes. If you are concerned about a loved one’s excessive screen time, gaming, or coping with chronic pain, you may also attend yourself – the peer counselor can help find ways to support your loved one.