If you are interested in the field of mental health, you may have heard of a peer support specialist. But what exactly does this job entail, and is there another name for it? In this article we will cover...
If you are interested in the field of mental health, you may have heard of a peer support specialist. But what exactly does this job entail, and is there another name for it? In this article we will cover some of the common titles in peer support and take a look at what this job is really about.
What Is A Peer Support Specialist?
A peer support specialist is someone who has lived experience with mental illness, addiction, or trauma, and uses that experience to support others who are going through similar struggles.
Additionally, peer support can sometimes be found in health care settings such as with cancer care and other serious illnesses. In any case, they offer empathy, understanding, and encouragement to those who may feel isolated or unsupported in their recovery.
The role of a peer support specialist can take on many forms. These can include anything from advocating for the individuals they work with, to facilitating peer support groups or even assisting people learn new problem solving or coping skills. Even then, this is not by any means an exhaustive list of what a peer support specialist might be doing on a day to day basis.
But while “peer support specialist” is a common term for this role, it’s not the only one. Depending on where you live or the organization you work for, you may hear other titles used to describe this position.
It Depends On The State
Around the country, states use different titles for those working in peer support. Furthermore, the training and requirements are also dependent on where you live.
Even so, the abilities and scope of practice is similar regardless of where you are.
Scope of practice simply refers to what a peer support worker is allowed to do in the context of helping someone.
It is important to note that peer support specialists are not counselors or therapists. Working outside of their scope, peer support specialists can face serious consequences. It is important to have a clear understanding of the scope of peer support and the limitations of your practice.
Common Terms For A Peer Support Specialist
For the most part, the different titles in peer support all refer to the same thing. That being said, there might be a big difference in the responsibilities and duties of this position depending on where you work.
Furthermore, since peer support specialist are those who have lived experience with mental health or addiction, people may tend to specialize in a specific area.
For instance, you may have two peer support specialists, however, one has experience with addiction and the other with mental health. On the other hand, you might have someone who has lived experience in both areas. With that in mind, lets look at some of the other common titles in peer support.
Peer Recovery Coach
One alternative name for peer support specialist is “peer recovery coach” or sometimes just simply “recovery coach. This term emphasizes the importance of not just supporting individuals in crisis, but helping them develop the skills and strategies necessary to achieve long-term recovery.
In this sense, it can mean recovery from addiction or mental health concerns that have been causing problems for the individual
Alternatively, a peer recovery coach may only work specifically with individuals who are in recovery from substance use disorders or other addictive behaviors. This is the more common definition when using the term peer recovery coach.
Peer Support Worker
“Peer support worker” is the term used by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Heath Services Administration). This is one of the more common titles used in peer support. This term is a little more generalized. Mostly because it covers addiction, mental health, health care, and even family peer support. If you have ever seen the abbreviation CPSW, it stands for Certified Peer Support Worker.
Peer Mentor
Another term you may hear is “peer mentor”. This title places more emphasis on the role of the peer support specialist as a teacher or guide, rather than simply a listener or someone who can empathize.
A peer mentor may work with individuals who are at the beginning of their journey with mental health or addiction. For instance, they may help them navigate the challenges of daily life and build a supportive community around them.
Furthermore, the title of peer mentor is commonly used when working with youth programs and young adults. Peer support has been shown to be an effective tool in substance abuse prevention.
That being said, a peer mentor can also work in mental health, juvenile programs or family peer support programs. Again, this term is interchangeable with any of the other titles in peer support depending on where you are.
Peer Advocate
The term “peer advocate” emphasizes the aspect of the job in which they work to get an individual the support or resources they need. This could mean communicating the individuals need with a doctor or local agency, or working with the public defenders office.
Even though, the title of peer advocate refers to the same position as any other peer support provider, it fits perfectly when working with the legal system.
Other Common Titles In Peer Support
Peer support provider, peer wellness coach, recovery support specialist, and peer counselor are some other titles you might hear depending on where you live. It should be noted however, that a peer counselor is not the same thing as an addiction counselor.
As peer support continues to grow there will probably be more specialized terms used for this role. In fact peer support is expected to grow exponentially over the next 10 years.
To learn more about peer support, be sure to check out mhapss.com. This site covers everything there is to know about peer support as a career. From the skills needed to the expectations and guidelines, it’s a full resource on the topic.
Are you interested in peer support?
Regardless of what title you are given, working in peer support can be extremely rewarding. If you are curious as to what a normal day in life looks like, be sure to read Recovery Peer Support worker: A Day In The Life. With all the different titles and terms for peer support, its no wonder that there can be some confusion! Not to mention that some states require extensive training, while others may have volunteer positions that use this title.
Elijah M’aidez is a recovering addict/alcoholic. He is a peer support worker, recovery coach, and author. He hopes to encourage others working in the field and bring more attention to the benefits of peer support. Right now, he is working with people struggling with addiction and mental health, as well as those who are re-entering society after being incarcerated.
