Peer Support Specialist Training
Equipping you to meet the growing demand for high-quality peer-based counseling supports.
Have you overcome a behavioral or mental/emotional challenge or lived through an adverse experience? When you understand first-hand how important it is to have a good support system, it's natural to want to help others facing the same problems. The course will equip you to become a role model for others and show them that it is possible to achieve recovery, build resilience, and thrive!
What you'll learn:
- This interactive Peer Support Specialist course will provide you with the education and training you need to help others and use your experiences for positive outcomes.
- You will gain an understanding of the roles of Peer Specialists relative to advocacy, mentoring, relationship building, interpersonal communication, self-management, counseling skills (principles of cognitive behavioral therapy), and the professional and ethical responsibilities of a Peer Support Specialist.
- You'll learn to empower and help others through case studies, practice exercises, and engaging assessments that will equip you to apply what you have learned in real-world peer-to-peer counseling situations.
- The course covers all 17 competencies required by the California Department of Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) and prepares you to take the state certification exam.
- Scroll through the tabs for each level to view the course outlines.
Notes:
- While the course equips you with the skills you need to work as a peer supporter, our training does not include supervised field experience. Your state may require a certain number of fieldwork hours under supervision by a licensed provider before you can earn certification.
- The course aligns with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) core competencies and may be accepted by State Certification Boards that provide credentials for Peer Supporters. You should check with your State Certification Board for specific requirements.
- The complete course is $750
- Enroll anytime, complete at your own pace.
- Some groups may be eligible for a discount code.
Level 1: Fundamentals
This section:
- Introduces the roles and responsibilities of peer support specialists.
- Explores self-awareness, which is becoming aware of our own thoughts and feelings.
- Discusses using questions to see a person's world through their eyes.
- Teaches active listening, attending to others, and giving feedback with empathy and understanding, with a focus on improving communication.
- Explores the concept of resilience, or the ability to adjust to difficult life experiences, and strategies for peer counselors to foster resilience in their clients.
Level 2: Intermediate Skills - Intro to Peer2Peer Counseling Model
This section:
- Introduces the Peer2Peer Counseling Model, which focuses on how a person’s thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes affect their feelings and behaviors
- Introduces how to support others in identifying and changing unhealthy thinking patterns.
- Explores positive and negative emotions, understanding how emotions relate to behaviors, expressing emotions, identifying intense emotions, and identifying triggers.
- Considers impulsive behaviors, unhealthy coping strategies, identifying distorted thinking, and monitoring emotional reactions.
Level 3: Advanced Peer Counseling Skills
This section:
Takes a deeper dive into the Peer2Peer Counseling Model, to develop more advanced skills for supporting peers.
- Focuses on developing a resilient mindset, overcoming challenging experiences, creating healing, breaking negative thought patterns, and writing new stories.
- Develops our ability to enhance positive emotions, self-regulate, and transform negative emotions.
- Explores sadness/depression, identifying and challenging distorted thoughts, recognizing. consequences, and developing alternative coping skills.
- Examines strategies for learning from mistakes and setbacks, and how to develop self-confidence, self-efficacy, and self-control, which contribute to resilience.
- Trains peer supporters in the fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing to facilitate behavior change.
Dr. LaBarbera
Curricululm developed by an expert:
Our training and development curriculum was developed by an expert educator and instructional designer, Dr. Robin LaBarbera, who blends her educational psychology and social work backgrounds to create engaging learning experiences that help you build an impactful team of Peer Counselors.
Someone with lived experience:
Dr. LaBarbera's childhood experiences include exposure to extreme domestic violence, divorce, frequent moves, involvement with child protective services, and foster care. She understands the effects of trauma exposure and what it takes to achieve well-being despite difficult circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the technology requirements? The only requirement is that you have access to a computer or mobile device.
- When can I start the course? Our courses are open enrollment, which means you can register and start as soon as you are ready.
- How long does it take to complete? The course is self-paced, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace.
- Does this course prepare me for certification? This 80-hour training course includes content and standards accepted by many state certification boards that provide credentials for Peer Support Specialists or Peer Supporters. Students should check with their state certification board for more information on certification requirements for your state.
- What happens when I complete the course? Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion, which you can take to certification boards or employers to prove your completion of course requirements.
- Am I guaranteed a job? This course will provide you with the skills you need to an obtain entry-level position in most cases. Students should always research the market in their area before registering.
- Where can I get more information? If you have questions not answered on our website, representatives are available via email. Send your questions using our contact form, and we will respond promptly.
MINI-WORKSHOP
Inquire about a mini-workshop.
We'd love to introduce our curriculum content through a mini-workshop, where we'll give you a taste of what's included in the full course. Give us 30 minutes and you'll see how practical peer counseling materials are for everyday life.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
What's unique about our program?
Yes, we cover the California Mental Health Services Authority 17 Core Competencies, and we also go the extra mile by training you in the foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We know of no other program in peer support that teaches the fundamentals of CBT techniques that elevate your understanding of human behavior and improve mental health and well-being like we do, at such an affordable price.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Who is this training for?
Anyone can benefit from understanding the concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness. Individuals seeking high-quality, in-depth, affordable preparation to take the state licensing exam for peer support certification, anyone who desires to help their peers with mental health and well-being, or anyone interested in their own personal development can take this training. We've trained staff working in homeless services, prison ministry, re-entry, and global missions support. There are so many applications for this practical learning.
ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE
What can I expect?
At just $750 for the complete course, you can start anytime and learn at your own pace on any device (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone). You have access to an engaging, interactive digital learning solution that equips you with the specialized counseling skills you need to transform your lived experiences into practical, supportive services that help others forge their own to path well-being.
