Life Skills Development

Photo of two teen volunteers at a Teen Lifeline phase 1 training weekend.

Teens Helping Teens

Each year, over 70 Maricopa County teens join Teen Lifeline and undergo 72+ hours of Life Skills Development Training. This training is conducted 4 times per year with an average of 17-20 participants per training. After training is complete, these 15 to 18 year olds staff our crisis hotline 365 days per year.

The Life Skills Development training gives teens skills they use far beyond the hotline. On average, our volunteers stay with Teen Lifeline for 3 years and many describe it as being their second home. Peer Counselors are asked to make a commitment to volunteer 15 hours (2-3 shifts) per month for at least 4 months.

Phase I: Foundations

Photo of a group of teens at phase 1 of peer counselor training.

Volunteers learn communication, listening, problem solving, and decision making skills during Phase I. This two-day training takes place on a Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Together, Peer Counselors and clinical staff work in large and small groups to prepare volunteers for their role on the hotline.

Phase II: Putting Skills into Practice

Photo of Clinical Director Nikki supervising teen peer counselor Soham on the hotline.

Volunteers learn about hotline procedures and practice the skills they learned during Phase I. Volunteers are trained on 6 specific topics related to the hotline. Peer Counselors help trainees by conducting role plays and providing feedback. During this phase, volunteers train once per week from 3 to 9 p.m. for 6 weeks.

Phase III: Advanced Skills & Local Resources

Volunteers learn advanced skills and practice handling problem areas that teens are currently facing. Professionals from other agencies within the community provide information on how to best help teens in crisis and offer useful community resources. This training is held on a Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fill out the form below to apply to our peer counselor program!