Peer Support Specialist

[Lukas]

Greetings everyone,

I have recently completed a certification course for Peer Support Specialist and it looks rather promising. It seems the state of the Mental Health field is shifting to embrace a more holistic approach.

It also seems that people with developmental issues, such as Aspergers, also benefit from Peer Support.

For folks here who have come to terms with their issues, Peer Support may be a good avenue to explore. Helping others come to terms with their issues is a job I recommend highly. My future employer well understands that I have issues that will need attention, and is willing to make appropriate accommodations for said.

This is a rather new career path it seems and may be worth looking into.

Good Luck and keep on keeping on..

 

[On the Inside]

That is interesting. I was talking with someone about this earlier today, what to do after all the therapy?

There is only so much that I'm going to get out of therapy, and I think I've passed that point, so what is next? My therapist suggested support groups or coaching of some sort, but support groups can be kind of messy, and I'm not sure that I would be able to find a coach who would be understanding of my limitations. I tried a phone based coaching service provided by my health insurance plan, but I'm not good at using the phone, and it was too easy to let things slide.

Good luck with the new venture.

 

[Suzanne]

I used to be in therapy with councillors, for sexual abuse issues etc, but finally realised that the only person who can help me, was me and this proved to be true FOR THAT IS SUE and then, zip forward, to year's later ie about 5 year's, reading an article on this strange thing, called: aspergers, having never heard of it, I could not believe how much the girl with aspergers, was like me, accept for reading emotions which I can do and it h's grown since then, from thinking that I may have it, to knowing I have and fully embracing it, because, finally, I am getting to know who I am, but the world is cruel and do, once the new year starts, I shall be seeking a professional diagnosis.

This should have been first, but wow, I envy you lol for I would live a job like that lol

 

[Lukas]

Peer Specialist is a rather new profession... now a billable service by medicare/medicaid in the USA... and behavioral health services are now required to have them on staff.... I had the same issues Susanne... the only people who helped me in the recovery of all that was myself, my art world, and other people who suffered similar issues who have recovered from it... aka... peers..

I just took my state certification test today.... results hopefully tomorrow.... and they are placing me starting January in a center specializing in trauma and abuse victims...... I cannot wait to start...

Turning heinous negatives into positives!! I am sure they will need peers in all areas of behavioral and developmental health services.. including people on the spectrum.

Perhaps you could contact your current provider or local behavioral health system and look into job possibilities..

It all started for me by my wanting to volunteer for a local agency... then my provider recommended me for this new job..