What does a peer specialist do?
Peer specialist utilize specific methods and practices to develop hopeful relationships with people in their communities. A peer specialist:
- Engages peers in collaborative and caring relationship
- Provides support: validating experiences and feelings; explores meaningful community roles and conveys hope of recovery
- Shares the lived experience of wellness and recovery in a connecting and relatable way
- Personalize peer support recognizing multiple paths to wellness, respecting each other's unique strengths, interests and culture perspectives.
- Supports recovery planning proposing strategies, offering support, information and resources for an individual to achieve their own desired tasks and goals
- Links to resources, services and supports when desired by an individual
- Provides information about skills related to health, wellness and recovery based on an individual's interest and goals
- Supports people define, identify and manage crises
- Values respectful, person-centered and mutually supportive communication
- Supports collaboration and teamwork
- Promotes leadership and advocacy
- Promotes one’s own growth and development by seeking continued education, mentoring and supportive supervision