Session 1: The Basics of Peer Support                                                                                                        • Introduction of Facilitators and Participants
• Guidelines for the Program
• Course Outline
• Group Discussion: “What is a Peer Specialist?”
• Strengths Based Recovery
• Positive Thinking
• Homework: “Why Peer Support? Readings.
• The Helpful Responses (Empathy) Questionnaire
• Intentional Peer Support
• Beliefs and values
• Legal Considerations: Summary of Duties
• Confidentiality
• Peer Support role-play
• Homework: Self-Assessment Handout. Readings.

Session 2: Communication Skills                                                                                                                 • Working Values in the Helping Relationship, Trauma-informed peer
support (Group Discuccion.
• Attending Skills
• Active Listening
• The Skill of Paraphrasing
• Accurate Empathy Exercise
• Homework: The First Visit. Readings.
• Accurate Empathy, Conveyance of Ownership in Empathy,
• Uses of Empathy
• Non-empathetic statements
• Exploring
• Open questions

Session 3:                                                                                                                                                  • Trauma-Informed Approach and Trauma-Specific Interventions
• Recovery
• Dual diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders –including panic disorders, panic attack, coping
skills, phobic neuroses, OCD, Post-traumatic stress disorder and
generalized anxiety disorder.
• Eating disorders and peer support exercise.

Session Four Ethical Consideration
Ethics in Peer Support

"Confidentiality: Respect the privacy of
the peer and keep all shared information
confidential."

"Dual Relationships: Be mindful of
relationships that could create conflicts
of interest."

"Transparency: Be open and honest in
your communication, and clarify your
role as a Peer Recovery Specialist."

Group Discussions
Peer Group Dynamics

"Facilitate open and respectful
dialogue among group members."

"Encourage mutual support and
sharing of experiences."

"Manage conflicts and maintain a
safe environment for all
participants."

Session 5:

• Anger Management
• Advocacy and self-advocacy
• Personality Disorders
• The Functions of Anger
• Contrasting Assertive, Passive and Aggressive Behavior
• Assertion Skills Worksheet