About CPAM Parents Peer Support

How is peer support different from therapy?

Peer support is about connection, understanding, and encouragement from someone who has been through a similar experience. The main role of a CPAM Parents volunteer is to listen with empathy, share perspective when helpful, and offer practical tips based on their lived experience. Therapy, on the other hand, is provided by a trained mental health professional who can help you process complex emotions, address anxiety or depression, and offer evidence-based coping strategies. Peer support is not a substitute for professional counseling, mental health or medical care; rather, it provides a connection with someone who understands what it’s like to face a congenital lung malformation diagnosis and is there to walk alongside you.

What is the difference between 1-on-1 support and group support?

Our 1-on-1 support program matches you with a trained parent volunteer who has been through a similar diagnosis. 1-on-1 support provides a dedicated space for you to share what you are going through with someone who has been there before and allows for a longer term support relationship. Group support is also facilitated by trained parent volunteers but, as it is a group, it allows for connection with more people going through a similar experience. Whether you want 1-on-1 support or group support, or both, is up to you. We normally recommend group support for everyone. We find the additional support of a 1-on-1 parent counselor can be helpful if this is your first baby, there are other complications in the pregnancy, or you have a history of birth/pregnancy trauma.

Where do you offer the 1-on-1 support program?

All our peer support services are offered online. Because treatment and care vary from country to country, we want to make sure the support we offer is relevant and accurate. At present, our volunteer base is located in the United States, UK and Ireland, so we can only provide 1-on-1 peer support to families going through a lung malformation journey in those countries. We are actively working to expand this program internationally. If you live elsewhere and would like to volunteer please complete our Volunteer Interest Form. If you are seeking support, you are welcome to register your interest. We will contact you as soon as we have trained volunteers available in your country.

How long does 1-on-1 support last?

Some families only want a few conversations immediately after diagnosis, while others stay connected throughout pregnancy, surgery, and recovery. The length and depth of the connection is entirely up to you and your parent volunteer.

What about group support?

The CLM drop-in group is open to everyone with the understanding that every CLM diagnosis is unique and medical care may vary significantly based on where you are located and the specifics of your child’s case.

Who are the volunteers?

Our volunteers are parents who have already walked this path and want to support others going through a new lung malformation journey. Each volunteer receives training in peer support, safeguarding, and active listening, and everyone is supported and overseen by the program director.

How does registration work?

We ask that you register for the 1-on-1 support and our support group. The first time you register, someone will be in touch to set up a quick initial chat. This is a brief and informal conversation, over the phone or on Zoom, just to learn a bit more about your situation and what kind of support would serve you best at this moment.

I am a mental health or medical professional. Can I observe a peer support session?

All peer support sessions are kept closed in order to protect the privacy, comfort, and trust of all the parent participants. No outside observers are allowed. Please get in touch with us for other ways to collaborate or learn more about the experience of going through a congenital lung malformation diagnosis.