the.com/peer support
the only therapy where the therapist has also cried in a parking lot at 2am.
means help and encouragement given by people who have lived through the same struggle you're facing, not just studied it.
from formalized in 1970s addiction recovery and mental health movements, building on much older traditions like alcoholics anonymous's 1935 sponsor model, where lived experience counted as credentials.
credentiallived experience, not a degree, is the qualification
medicare covers itcertified peer specialists are billable in most us states
recovery booststudies link it to fewer hospital readmissions
reciprocityhelping others is proven to help the helper too
for instance
alcoholics anonymous sponsors — since 1935, sober members guide newer ones one day at a time
nami peer support groups — trained volunteers with mental illness run free sessions nationwide
veteran peer specialists — va hires former service members to counsel other veterans
warmlines — non crisis phone lines staffed by people who've been there