Peer support specialists are trained and certified experts in the recovery care model. Their role is to engage people who struggle with behavioral health challenges to become part of a healing community and find their best life in recovery.
The first step and one of the most important components in the treatment process is engagement. In this presentation, we see engagement as creating a social environment of connection and hope, and reducing isolation that frequently accompanies mental health challenges. Engagement is the beginning of an interpersonal and healing relationship. Successful engagement with the person/peer depends on the readiness of both for collaboration. The goal is to facilitate growth/change through support, encouragement, psychoeducation and openness to learn self-regulation. It is guided by understanding, empathy, developing trust and establishing healthy boundaries.
Free training
Audience: for Certified Peer Support Specialists
Instructional Level: Introductory
Instructors: Dr. Jai Sookram
This training is approved for 2.75 continuing education (CE) credits for Nebraska Certified Peer Support Specialists. Credits will be awarded to participants who attend the entire training.
OBJECTIVES
- Explain elements of a healing/helpful relationship.
- Describe the necessity of creating a social environment in which a peer can thrive and accept treatment.
- Practice a process on how to approach their peer and engage in recovery dialogues through which the peer can develop a recovery lifestyle.
- Describe engagement strategies through which their peers can develop a collaborative relationship and develop their personal recovery with daily application to themselves and their peers. This process will help the peer specialist improve their recovery as well.
Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.
There are no personal or professional relevant conflicts of interest in relation to this presentation.