a program proudly offered by
NCPRSS/RC
Training Academy
Preparing You For National & State Level Certification
Whether you’re considering a career change that utilizes your lived experience to help others in recovery or looking to improve your skills, our Peer Recovery Support Specialist/Peer Recovery Coaching Program offers everything you need.
We have partnered with Dr. Harold Jonas and
Sober Network, Inc., a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, to offer you a comprehensive training program that meets or exceeds both state and federal
training requirements for certification as a "substance use disorder (SUD) with co-occurring mental health (MH) peer support credential.
Our innovative "blended-learning" training model combines the convenience of a self-paced on-line learning environment combined with four (4) weekly face-to-face classes. This allows you to work at an effective and comfortable pace while still benefiting from the shared learning and group dynamics of a classroom.
There are so many "Peer Support" titles. What do they mean?
As the field of "Peer Support" develops, and the documented valuable contribution of peer supports in a variety of settings across the continuum of care evolves, you may run across several different titles, roles and peer support models. Many opportunities to leverage our personal lived experience to provide support to others who are navigating similar challenges are emerging across the spectrum and can include peer support models that focus on specific peer-to-peer areas such as family support peers, first responder or medical professional peers, forensic peers, veteran and adolescent peers, to name just a few. The evolution and application of peer support models specific to behavioral health have resulted in a variety of titles, with an even larger variety of training, roles and credentialing requirements. This article focuses specifically on clarifying some of the more common behavioral health peer support models.
In example, some states and national credentialing bodies offer separate and specific training and certification for peer support workers who will work primarily in the substance use disorder (SUD) field or those who will work primarily in the mental health (MH) field.
"Peer Support Specialist" (PSS) or "Certified Peer Support Specialist" (CPSS): a credential that identifies an individual who has "lived experience" and self-identifies as a person in recovery from a mental heath diagnosis (other than, or in addition to, substance use disorder). A Peer Support Specialist is trained in providing peer support to individuals who also live with a mental health disorder (including, but not limited to depression, anxiety, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, schizo-affective or personality disorders).
"Peer Recovery Coach": is an individual who has "lived experience" and self-identifies as a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. A Peer Recovery Coach is trained in providing peer support to individuals who also live with a substance use disorder. You may find several different titles that fall under the "peer support for substance use disorder" category that include, but are not limited to, "Peer Counselor", "Peer Navigator", or "Peer Recovery Specialist".
Still other states and national peer support credentialing entities are moving towards a peer support model that recognizes the need for Peer Support Workers that have "livled experience" and are in recovery from co-occuring substance use and mental health disorders. Typically referred to as a "Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist" (C-PRSS) or "Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist" (NC-PRSS) these individuals self-identify as living with and in recovery from "co-occurring disorders" and are trained to provide peer support to individuals who self-identify with either substance use or mental health.
Learn More about
SAMHSA's National Model Standards for Peer Support Workers.
Learn More About
NAADAC's Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) credential.
Learn More About
Certified Peer Specialist Programs by State
What is a Recovery Coach?
Lindsay explains how to become a recovery coach in idaho
Printable Presentation:
"How to become a recovery coach in Idaho"
NCPRSS/CPRC
Training Course Modules
This course has designed to meet the training requirements for state certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Coach (C-PRC) or Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (C-PRSS) as well as national certification as a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NC-PRSS) with a focus on "substance use disorder with co-occurring mental health" peer support. *Please check with your state's credentialing body for other peer support certifications and training requirements.
Sixty (68) Hours/CEUs
Introduction:
Recovery Coaching is a professional relationship. This relationship is collaborative in nature and is focused on a strengths based model. It is also designed to assist clients identify and move “barriers” aside that prevent them from potentializing. The relationship is not unlike any other professional relationship a client may have with say a psychotherapist, doctor or lawyer. It is based on trust, experience and mutuality.
The most significant difference between a Recovery Coach, aka a Recovery Support Specialist, and other helping professionals is the Recovery Coach is trained to focus is on “empowering” the client to do for themselves what they dreamed about. It is through the motivation, guidance and accountability Coaches provide that transformation occurs. These training modules provide the education and foundation for becoming a Recovery Support Specialist/Recovery Coach.
Recovery Coaching Overview
(4 CEUs)
This module provides a brief overview of Recovery Coaching, including the Coach's role in working with clients, comparisons of other treatment providers, tips to promote your Coaching services, and an introduction to other topics that will be discussed in later modules. Upon completion of this course, you will have all the tools needed to work effectively with clients in need of recovery coaching services.
Coaching Skills (4 CEUs)
The Recovery Coach’s toolbox contains many useful techniques and skills designed to assist the client’s recovery process. The more often you oil and sharpen your coaching tools, the better they will serve both you and your clients.
Utilizing the Client's Strengths & Assets (4 CEUs)
The Recovery Coach’s main goal is to empower clients by focusing on their strengths, rather than their weaknesses. The Coach and client work together to identify the client’s interests, skills, talents and other strengths and use these assets to help the client achieve his or her goals. Although the Coach assists the client in identifying goals, it is the client that chooses them, based on their individual needs and desires.
eCoaching & Documentation Skills
(4 CEUs)
Electronic Coaching, or eCoaching, is the wave of the future in Recovery Coaching. Advancements in technology now allow people to communicate in ways never thought possible just a few years ago. It’s both simple and affordable for most everyone to talk face-to-face over a computer using Skype or similar video chat software programs, and it’s equally easy and convenient to communicate via e-mail or text messages using a smartphone or other internet-enabled portable device. With each new day, more and more treatment centers, Recovery Coaches and counseling professionals are adding online and/or electronic access for their clients.
Coach's Role As A Client Advocate (4 CEUs)
Advocacy meets clients and families where they work, live and interact with others – in their own backyards, so to speak - and recognizes that every client’s needs are individual and unique.
Cultural Competency for Coaches
(4 CEUs)
Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving.
Care Coordination (4 CEUs)
The Principles of Case Management.
Client Assistance with Healthcare System Navigation.
Disengagement.
Crisis Management (4 CEUs)
Circumstances Leading To Crises.
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
Techniques To Calm A Client In A Crisis Situation.
Overview of Addiction & Recovery Stages (4 CEUs)
A Brief Overview of Addictions.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction.
Stages of Recovery.
Motivational Interviewing (4 CEUs)
A Working Definition.
The Model.
Working with the Model.
Pharmacology and Addictions
(4 CEUs)
An Introduction to the Basics of Pharmacology and Substance Abuse.
Mood Altering Drugs and Their Classifications.
Drug Interactions.
Empowering Clients to Understand Drugs and Their Implications.
Ethics of Recovery Coaching - Part I (4 CEUs)
The Definition of Ethics in Recovery.
The Four Positive Elements of Recovery Coaching.
The Values of Recovery Coaching.
Modern Communications and Ethical Behavior.
Definition of Telehealth Services and the Ethics of Provision.
Understanding Your Area of Expertise.
Ethics of Recovery Coaching - Part II (4 CEUs)
1. Explain and use the model for resolution of ethical issues
2. Identify and explain the concepts of respect for others and non-discrimination in practice and behavior
3. Describe the issues involved in the maintenance of professional boundaries as it relates to properly ending the coaching relationship
4. Develop and describe a program of self-care
5. Explain and apply the proper boundaries and guidelines within the scope of your training
6. Integrate recovery coaching into the continuum of care/working with professionals Section 1: Explain and use the
Professional Ethics & Boundaries - Part I (4 CEUs)
Each professional association has published a Code of Ethics. The National Association of Social Workers, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and the American Counseling Association have all published Codes of Ethics unique to the professions that they serve. In addition, various states have published their own Codes of Ethics, applicable to licensed individuals practicing within their state.
NAADAC Nationally Certified Peer Support Specialists ahere to this Code of Ethics.
Mental Health & Dual Issues in Coaching (4 CEUs)
People struggling with both substance abuse issues and mental illness are classified as having a dual diagnosis. Clients diagnosed with dual diagnosis issues can be notoriously difficult to treat because symptoms of each condition tend to overlap and impact on one other. Mental health treatment providers often aren’t equipped deal with substance abuse issues, while addiction treatment centers often refuse to accept clients with severe mental health issues. Treatment methods prescribed for mental health and substance abuse issues can be quite different from one another, although both are critical to the client’s recovery. As a trained recovery coach, you will often act as a bridge for your clients, assisting them to connect with both mental health and addiction recovery services.
The Importance of Resiliency in Recovery (4 CEUs)
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines resilience as:
1. The capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress;
2. An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.
Although the first definition applies to materials, such as a memory foam mattress, for example, the same principle applies to people. Resilience means to return to a normal, original state, whether it applies to mattresses or human beings.
Professional Ethics & Boundaries - Part II (4 CEUs)
1. Identify and apply proper techniques in provision of and billing for services
2. Recognize the boundaries of proper interactions with others
3. Demonstrate the ability to avoid collusion and any improprieties in professional service or contracting with referral sources
4. Engage in professionally appropriate marketing and advertising of services.
These two additional courses are required for NAADAC NC-PRSS Certification but are not part of the Peer Supports Academy offered Curriculum.
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Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) The goal of this course is to help participants develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities in using SBIRT as an intervention with patients.
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HIV/Bloodborne Pathogens A 3-part webinar and online test for (6 CEUs) on bloodborne pathogens, define bloodborne pathogens most implicated with substance use disorders, and discuss infection and containment.
*Please Note:
These,and additional Recovery Coach training modules, are available on-line and directly from SoberNetwork/RecoveryCoaches
