CJA 118 - Introduction to Peer Support Specialist

4.00 credits

Introduces the process of becoming a peer support specialist in an outpatient department and other settings. Develops both a theoretical and practical base of knowledge to allow the student to develop peer support and motivational interviewing techniques. Students will develop an overall grasp of the Core Competencies for Peer Support Workers. Students will study some of the more common techniques used in peer support settings, including focuses on healthy boundaries, social support systems, cognitive skills, substance abuse recovery, individual session format, facilitating peer support groups, motivational interviewing (MI), and other techniques. Students will achieve an overall grasp of what it means to be a peer support specialist for the mental health and addiction population and how they can be an important tool in the recovery process. Students will demonstrate skills in peer support mentorship; including the preparation of individual session progress notes, reports, and group facilitation notes.