Originally from Jacmel, Haiti, a city where he has been deeply involved in social and political life, Peterson worked for several years as a psychologist in Port-au-Prince before moving to France for academic exchange. Currently pursuing his doctorate in anthropology at Université Laval, he is working on narrative and resilience strategies for dealing with psychological distress among young adults in Quebec. His research interests include immigration, interculturality, social networks, and mental health.

Peterson likes to describe himself as a practitioner-researcher, which highlights his dual role as a field worker and academic researcher. This position allows him to combine practical intervention with theoretical research, thus enriching his perspectives and contributions in both fields.