Peer Support Sessions

Peer Support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social, or practical help to each other. It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters (Peer Support Specialists) and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or recovery planning.

A person who has lived mental health experience and supports others in their recovery is called a Peer Supporter. It gives the person with the mental health problem the opportunity to talk openly and feel supported by someone who understands what they are going through.

Peer support specialists are people who want to help others with their recovery journey, and are trained to listen non-judgmentally so that they can offer emotional support. 

Click here to read about the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters.

I completed the Iowa Peer Support & Family Peer Support Training Program, in August 2020.

Trainings:

• Adult Mental Health First Aid
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
• Trauma Informed Care

I also have experience as a Mental Health Mobile Crisis Responder.

My Bachelor’s degree is in Child, Adult, and Family Services with a focus on Youth & Adult/Family.

A unique difference between Peer Support Specialists (PSS) and Counselors is that a PSS utilizes their lived experience and recovery when supporting individuals. Counselors are trained to say “I hear you” but can’t say “I understand how that feels; I’ve been there.” Comparatively, the role of a PSS is to help individuals feel less alone in what they’re going through. In addition, PSS tend to form more emotional connections through shared experiences whereas a Counselor is a more professional role that doesn’t tend to offer support outside of official sessions.

You can read more about the differences in the graphic on my blog here.

One isn’t required to be in therapy to see a Peer Support Specialist.

Yes! While there are several similarities between Peer Support Specialists and Counselors, there are also unique differences that make Peer Support a helpful complement to clinical therapy or counseling. A therapist is able to make recommendations for medications and other clinical services like making a diagnosis. This is not something a PSS does. A PSS can support you in learning about your diagnosis and finding helpful ways to support yourself in day-to-day life. 

Both Peer Support Specialists and Counselors adhere to Ethics and Confidentiality when providing services. Additionally, both providers are trained in active listening and have great communication skills. 

Anything you want! This time is for you. Some examples of ways to utilize our time together are:

• Pour your heart out & I listen and affirm
• Research professional mental health service options & navigate insurance
• Start working through an APPR (Action Plan for Prevention and Recovery)
• Develop a plan of action for your day-to-day
• Body double (work on your own to-do list while I work on mine. This helps keep accountability and motivation up!)
• Talk through concerning or difficult topics
• Plan monthly needs
• Develop a crisis plan

I am a big advocate of “provider shopping” in the sense that you have to find the person that works for you. With that being said, I offer a 15 minute Connection Call for us to get to know each other a little bit and see if we connect well together.

If you are interested in scheduling a 15 minute Connection Call, you can click here.

Yes! Our sessions are pay as you go, but there is an option for 3 Peer Support Sessions for $60 and 5 Peer Support Sessions for $100. Click here for the different options.