Certified Peer Specialist Training

“Peer support is the process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to achieve long-term recovery. Peers offer emotional support, share knowledge, teach skills, provide practical assistance, and connect people with resources, opportunities, communities of support, and other people.” 
-Shery Mead

 
 The Peer Support profession is relatively new to the mental health field.  However, Peer Workers can be found all over the United States and in many other countries. Peer Support is recognized as an evidence based practice by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Powerful outcomes are associated with the evidence based practice of Peer Support. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),  some of these outcomes include:

• Increased self-esteem and confidence
• Increased sense of control and ability to bring about changes in their lives
• Raised empowerment scores
• Increased sense that treatment is responsive and inclusive of needs
• Increased sense of hope and inspiration
• Increased empathy and acceptance (camaraderie)
• Increased engagement in self-care and wellness
• Increased social support and social functioning
• Decreased mental health symptoms
• Reduced hospital admission rates and longer community tenure
• Decreased substance use and depression
   

Peer Workers can become Certified in their state. Each state has different requirements for certification.  The Copeland Center offers Peer Certification in the states of Pennsylvania and California.