r/PeerSupportSpecialist

So I had my first day at a new Mental Health Centre today (not my first day in PSupport) and had my first client. It’s a big pilot scheme and lots of new teams under one roof.

A woman who manages a completely different team (so not my manager or team member but works in the same centre as me) must have followed me of watched me taking my client into private room and then stood outside with her ear pressed to the door so she could hear the conversation.

It’s my first day meeting her, found out she’s an ex cop. Not impressed and it really put me off being present with the client. Like, what on earth is she doing? My guess is she thought I wasn’t going to be competent because I’m quiet and absorbing everything on my first day and I just feel like this hierarchy of workers is so prevalent in this field… people do not seem to think we are capable in this role!

She has no idea I saw her… I’m thinking of how to approach it and whether to speak to my team who are all fucking great tbh.

A year ago I started off as a peer/ life coach and while maintaining my peer role I’ve become a job coach. I only have hate towards my consumers now. On more than one occasion they tried getting me fired when things don’t go their way. They rarely show up to appointments and often blame me for them not showing up despite giving out reminders. I’ve been yelled at repeatedly never by my boss, but by multiple consumers for very mundane things. I can go on and on. The pay has been ok ever since I transitioned to full time, but now I’m a punching bag for no other reason than trying to help these people. I know I shouldn’t feel this, but it’s the only emotion I can feel regarding them and my own mental health has taken a toll

I think I am bowing out as a professional peer. Outpatient MAT as a Coach, Residential as an alumni coordinator. This second one… I am hunting people down to see if they have ‘relapsed’ and to coax them back. I use the quotations because any use warrants my attack.
I can’t talk them through it. I can’t support them, I can’t let them advocate… I sell.
This is what I call Moral Injury. I run a nonprofit for free peer-led meetings… because I believe in peer support and that recovery is free to whoever seeks it.
I have a quota on a percentage of clients in treatment have to be alumni. I have to make hundreds of calls a week.. I feel like I’ve been duped. I’m certified and registered w my state’s Board of Counseling… and I’m about to put an apron back on and start waiting tables again.
That’s it.. glad I said it.

and what does that look like?

i am gassed out.

I’m curious if anyone here has started their own peer support business, nonprofit, or gone into independent peer support work.

I currently work as a Peer Support Specialist and genuinely love what I do. Helping people is absolutely my priority, but I’m currently making around $20/hour, and it’s difficult to provide for a family on that long-term.

I also own a small business outside of peer support, so I have some entrepreneurial experience and have been wondering whether there’s a way to combine those skills with the work I’m passionate about.

For anyone who has gone this route:

What does your business/nonprofit model look like, how do you generate revenue, and what kind of income have you realistically been able to earn?

I’d love to hear what has, and hasn’t, worked for you. Thanks!

I’d love to hear other people’s experiences and thoughts on this because I’m feeling more and more frustrated with peers/clients and providers misunderstanding what my job is and what I can and cannot do. I’m not a case manager, I’m not a taxi and I’m not a crisis line and yet I feel like this continually is an issue of restating and explaining what I thought was already clear. I’m new to this field so maybe it’s just that I need more experience and time before I’m not hitting this wall but damn it’s frustrating for now.

Hey everyone,

I am an adult learner with a learning disability and I am preparing to transition back to school. I am trying to figure out the best path forward, but traditional state vocational rehab agencies have not been a great fit for me

In the past, I thrived in a highly structured, hands-on environment (specifically a Special Services school district setup). Finding that same level of intensive, structured support as an adult learner has been incredibly difficult.

Does anyone have recommendations for alternative paths? I am looking for things like private adult executive function coaches, specialized neurodivergent student forums, or tech toolkits that help when you need high-support frameworks.

Has anyone here gone back to school as an adult with unique learning needs? What actually helped you succeed without getting lost in the crowd?

Thanks for any advice or program leads!

You all acting just like the unhelpful people at the vocational rehabilitation office. Instead of actually listening, you are just telling me what I can't do and telling me to figure it out completely on my own.

That hands-off, dismissive attitude is exactly why standard state agencies fail adult learners.

I already know how normal, unsupportive college classes operate. That is exactly why I explicitly stated that I do not mind paying extra program fees. I am willing to invest my own money to work with specialized university programs, learning specialists, and actual experts who know how to help someone with a learning disability and ADHD succeed, rather than being left to sink or swim.

I am currently in a CRSS program at an agency in Chicago. We will be finishing the education/classroom component within the next few weeks and have been asked to start looking into internship placements. During the internship presentation after class today, background checks were mentioned, which I had anticipated. However, it was also mentioned that internships will also do a DCFS clearance before placement.

I have a DUI on my record. I knew this would come up, but as a career that encourages lived experience, I was told at the beginning of the program this would not be an issue. However, I had my children in the car with me when this happened, so on the state registry I have an indicated finding. The DCFS check was not disclosed to me at the beginning of the program when I told the success coaches.

While I intend to finish out the classroom hours, I am hesitant to begin searching out an internship if this is going to be fruitless. My end goal was to work in CRSS SUD treatment and recovery centers. I have already begun taking CADC classes over the summer with an end goal (5+ years) becoming an addiction counselor. I was a teacher for 16 years, so I knew the DCFS indication would rule out any future in education; however, I was under the impression that an indicated finding would only apply to employment involving children.

What has the application process for internships been for others? Obviously, this is probably a more unique situation. When I spoke with my supervisors after the presentation, they really didn't have an answer for me, but said they'd look into it. Just trying to get a feel before applying for Amazon jobs until this is off my record.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'm trying to understand what young people actually find helpful in awareness sessions, not what organisations think people want.

What would make you stay engaged?

• Open discussion?
• Personal stories?
• Practical advice?
• Activities?
• Q&A?
• Something else?

And what usually makes these sessions feel boring, forced, or unhelpful?

Hey everyone, I'm 36 years old in the U.S. I have struggled with severe depression since childhood. I had an extremely traumatic childhood with two mentally ill, addicted, impoverished parents. It really pushed me into a depressed and dark place at an early age.

I would deeply appreciate any compassionate and realistic guidance, or perspectives from people who have lived similar experiences.

I managed to graduate with a degree in Liberal Arts on time at 22. After that I had no idea what to do. I worked random jobs and was eventually fired from pretty much all of them. This is because I would burn out and be unable to attend anymore. It seemed really hard for me to keep a job longer than a year, and I never made positive relationships with my supervisors.

In 2018 I realized I could go to graduate school. I wanted to help people, and I have always enjoyed psychology, so I pursued social work (MSW). I ended up taking a break from the program in early 2020 because of multiple factors, most prominently my depression.

For the next few years I worked random jobs that I would either be fired from or have to eventually quit. For the same reasons as ever. I am anguished about this pattern and am determined to change it.

In 2024 I realized I wanted to try to finish my MSW. I transferred to a less expensive program. I'm now 15 credits away from graduating, mostly internship (which worries me -- I have a much easier time with classes than internship).

At this point, with my work history, with my lack of strong relationships with supervisors or professors, I'm really concerned about my employment prospects even if I finish my MSW.

Part of me is feeling like I should have pursued a Peer Support Specialist cert instead. It seems like employers would be more understanding of my story.

I have actually tried applying for disability, twice, and was denied both times. At this point I would rather focus on giving it my all and learning to be more consistent at a job.

I am absolutely determined to turn my patterns around and become a consistent employee. It's my life mission right now. I want to set my life up to give myself every opportunity to succeed.

I guess my questions are, would Peer Support Specialist jobs be more understanding than a typical job?

Should I just finish my MSW while I work some random retail or security job, i.e. one that doesn't require references?

What about a Certified Recovery Support Specialist cert? Better or worse employment prospects? I do have some addiction/recovery experience from a much earlier time in my life, but the fundamental issue has been my depression and related fatigue.

Or should I switch gears and try a different approach? I'm considering getting a CNA while I finish my MSW so that there are jobs available to me with a lower barrier and I can build up consistent references and experience, then transition into like geriatric social work where my CNA experience could be an asset.

Anyway, sorry to ramble. I just feel so hopeless and stuck right now. I live in a major city with a competitive job market and unfortunately cannot move, for a couple of reasons.

Thank you so much if you've read this far.

Just came back from taking the peer certification exam this morning, and I passed! 🎉 Hope everyone here is well, thank you so much for the support and kind words.

Curious what the pay is like in different states. Generally I feel like we’re all underpaid. My wife and I might be relocating, and it’s helpful to know what to expect depending on where we go.

I’m in SC, annual salary of 40k (state benefits, typical holidays off).

Last year I completed the 75 hour training for Certified Peer Support Specialist Program. Well 9 months ago. And I’m finally about to take the exam it was delayed due to life circumstances. And now I’ve recently got accepted into the Certified Recovery Support Specialist Program. I’m so excited to have both credentials under my belt. I always believed it’s good to have multiple certifications in a field to give you more opportunities. And I’m doing just that. I’m so excited and after this one I’m planning on going for Forensic Support Specialist. I can only see myself going up from here. Thanks for listening.

I start my first job as a peer supporter in a few weeks and want to be prepared. What’s do you take with you to work? Even the mundane stuff. For reference, I’m going to be working in an adult inpatient centre with the NHS