PEER ACADEMY

Peer Support Supervisor (PSS) Training

The PSS Training is a comprehensive HHSC-approved program. Students who complete the course and pass the knowledge assessment can apply for their state certification.

Overview

The PSS (Peer Specialist Supervisor) Training is a specialized program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proficient in supporting peer specialists after they obtain their certification. A PSS will oversee peer specialists while they provide the necessary components of peer work, such as giving recovery-oriented peer services, skill-building, ethical problem solving, optimizing professional growth, and performing administrative duties.

What You’ll Learn

  • Comprehensive Orientation: Gain an understanding of the overall objectives of the Peer Specialist Supervisor training, including the eligibility requirements and the certification process. Identify the core competencies necessary for Texas Peer Specialist Supervisors.

  • Foundations of Recovery: Define the concept of recovery and describe its four domains. Learn to apply the guiding principles of recovery in supervision practice to effectively support peer specialists.

  • Principles and Values of Peer Support: Understand the core principles of peer support, the distinction between a “peer” and a “peer relationship,” and the importance of shared lived experiences. Learn how to define peer support, describe its values, and recognize these values in practice.

  • Roles and Regulations in Peer Support: Define common tasks for peer specialists and understand the importance of role clarity. Synthesize the requirements for peer specialist training and supervision into your own practice to ensure effective supervision.

  • Supervision and Ethics: Learn the three-step process for navigating complex relationships in peer support. Review the Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics to ensure ethical practice and understand how to be an effective supervisor who champions and supports peer specialists.

Meet your Trainer

  • Founder of Austin Area Opioid Workgroup
  • Subject matter expert for the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence
  • Recovery Support Peer Specialist and Supervisor at Communities for Recovery playing a pivotal role in developing and implementing programs to support individuals on their recovery journey.
  • Peer Recovery Support Specialist trainer since 2018, playing a crucial role as writer for the Texas Recovery Support Peer Specialist 2024 curriculum
  • Areas of expertise include harm reduction, peer supervision, and workforce development.
  • Seasoned veteran of the music industry, his deep understanding of the challenges people face surrounding substance use disorder and his own journey exemplifies his unwavering commitment to helping others.
In a collaboration with:
Features

Path to becoming a Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS)

Virtual (Zoom)

Details

16 Hours (2 Days x 8 Hours)

6 pm to 9 pm

Prerequisites

Be a QCC, LPHA, QMHP supervised by a QCC or LPHA, or a QPS supervised by a QCC or LPHA.

Please read our additional article on clinical eligibility requirements.

Laptop, Desktop or Tablet with Webcam

Registration End Date

7 Working Dates Before the Start Date

Modules

Module 1: Orientation

Understand the overall objective of the Peer Specialist Supervisor training, describe the eligibility requirements and basic process to become certified, and identify the Texas Peer Specialist Supervisor Core Competencies.

Module 2: Foundations of Recovery

Define the concept of recovery, describe the four domains of recovery, and apply guiding principles of recovery to supervision practice.

Module 3: Foundations of Peer Support

Understand the difference between a “peer” and a “peer relationship,” understand that peerness is based on shared lived experience that a person centers in their need for support.

Module 4: The Principles of Peer Support

Define peer support, describe peer support values, identify how peer support values look in practice.

Module 5: Peer Support Roles & Regulations

Define common tasks for peer specialists, demonstrate the importance of role clarity,
and synthesize the requirements for peer specialist training and supervision into their own supervision practice.

Module 6: Peer Specialist Relationships & Ethics

Describe the three-step process that peer specialists can use to navigate complex relationships with the people they support and review the Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics.

Module 7: Supervisors as Champions and Change Agents

Identify opportunities to implement or reinforce meaningful roles for peer specialists in their agency and describe how the roles of “champion” and “change agent” apply to peer supervision.

Module 8: Role Validity & Equity in Peer Support Supervision

Identify common areas of ongoing training and challenges related to documentation and understand that supervisors should treat peer specialists with equity.

Module 9: Conclusion

Identify peer specialist supervision competencies where they have felt growth in their knowledge and skills over the training and where they see room for growth in the future.

Why Choose us? 

Online Training

Peer Academy’s training sessions are conducted entirely online, making them accessible from anywhere with a computer and reliable internet connection.

Certified Trainers

Our trainers at Peer Academy are certified and experienced peer specialists, dedicated to ensuring your success in the training program.

Exclusive Financial Aids

As a student enrolled in Peer Academy, you’ll have access to exclusive financial aid, stipends, and internship opportunities.

Student Story Highlights

★★★★★

“I went through the MHPS program at Peer Academy and I can’t say enough amazing things about it. Working in a healthcare setting with mental health and substance abuse clients, the Peer Academy provided me with multiple new resources and healthy ways of navigating communication with these clients. I have also found new relationships with others in the program as well as a safe space to express myself and ask those uncomfortable questions.

Each individual trainer, group leader, supervisor was always readily available to help and answer any questions I may have had. The most rewarding part of going through the Peer Academy was I was able to learn more about myself and how I can be that vessel of hope for others that may need it.

I am truly honored to have gone through this program and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to grow within the Peer Specialist program.”

Cassidy Goodrum Lambert

★★★★★

“Joining Peer Academy was a transformative experience in my journey to becoming a great peer and supporter. The comprehensive training and hands-on activities provided me with the essential skills and knowledge to connect deeply with others. The supportive community at Peer Academy fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged continuous learning and personal growth.

Thanks to their guidance, I am now more confident, empathetic, and effective in my role, equipped to make a meaningful impact in my peer interactions. Peer Academy truly set me on the path to success.”

Rodney Brown

ENROLL IN TRAINING

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Join 100+ successful students on the path to making an impact in a career in peer support