PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST IN A RECOVERY SETTING Essays - Psychiatry

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST IN A RECOVERY SETTING KARLA TERESA REED THOMAS COLUMBIA COLLEGE HUMS 250 A PROFESSOR CARNEY JULY 17, 2015 Abstract The field of Human Services is broadly defined and cannot be set to just one standard. The unique ways of helping people can be seen in the day to day life of a Peer Support Specialist. There is nothing like learning from some who has been in similar situations as yourself and can best help you because they are continuing to live the life you want to live. In this paper I will detail the affective work of C ynthia Rice, who is a p eer s upport s pecialist for Fellowship House Apartments , a low-intensity transitional housing for clients leaving treatment. I will also give some background on the Fellowship House and the admission requirements. This paper will also outline what the requirements are to become a peer support s pecialist, what theory of use Cynthia uses in providing peer support, and exploration of that theory. P eer Support Specialist in a Recovery Setting One of the primary goals of a peer support s pecialist is to teach people how to help themselves. One would think that when a person has problems they could solve these problems on their own, but that is not the c ase in most people lives. Peer support s pecialists have gone through the recovery process and are offering themselves as a mentor to help another individual who is suffering from a substance addiction or a mental illness. The (Rogerian) person -centered approach used by Cynthia will detail how it is self-directed, strength-based, and supports the needs of individuals. Okun and Kantrowitz (2014) state d , "person centered theory assumes that human beings are rational, good, and capable of assuming responsibility for themselves and making the choices that can lead to independence, self- actualization, and autonomy" (pg. 132). A growing number of people are suffering every day and peer support has shown to improve the quality of life and increases the well-being and personal growth of clients compared to people only receiving traditional mental health services. Galanter and Egelko (1994) wrote, "As currently organized, general hospitals are ill-equipped to address the combined effects of substance abuse and acute psychiatric disorders. For example, traditional impatient psychiatric settings do not generally provide Twelve Step groups, psychoeducational programs or relapse prevention training that are necessary for the rehabilitation of the substance abuser" (pg. 1227). Cynthia's description of the (ROSC) Recov ery Orientated Syste ms of Care , an ecological systems theory , which is required by the Fellow ship House, is the theory needed for people who are suffering from these maladies to recover and move on with their lives. Agency and clientele The Fellowship House is a Non-Profit Agency located in Birmingham, al and their primary goal is to help people who suffer from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The Fellowship House offers a medium low-intensity residential program for clients who are unable to stay clean on their own. This supportive environment offers individualized treatment plans which focus mainly on the needs of the client to be able to recover outside of the treatment center. The treatment plans offered here include case management, group and individual counseling, peer support, Twelve Step groups, vocational and medical referrals and an alumni after care program. The treatment programs normally last only 30 days but a client can remain for 90 days if needed. Galanter and Egelko (1994) state , "traditional inpatient psychiatric settings do not generally provide Twelve Step groups, psychoeducational programs or relapse prevention training that are necessary for the rehabilitati on of the substance abuser" (pg. 1227). The Fellowship House also offers a low intensity transitional apartment setting for clients who have completed their treatment. This transitional housing offers support to clients who are new to living independently and still need living skills. There is a case manager (Greg) and peer support specialist (Cynthia) during the week. There is also on site weekend staff support for both inpatient and transitional housing clients. Clients are required to attend all in house meetings and 4 twelve step groups weekly. To help encourage the clients to remain involved in