Peer Support Services


Peer Support Services

Peer support services are specialized therapeutic interactions conducted by self-identified current or former recipients of behavioral health services who are trained and certified to offer support and assistance in helping others in their recovery and community-integration process. Peer support services are intended to inspire hope in individuals that recovery is not only possible, but probable. Peer support services are designed to promote empowerment, self-determination, understanding, coping skills, and resilience through mentoring and service coordination supports that allow individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders to achieve personal wellness.

Certified Peer Specialist

The Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) provides certification for Peer Specialists as a way of assuring competence to peers, to the public, and to employers. The qualifications to become a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), include a mix of experience, education and a passing score on the certification examination. Details on the process can be found here.

The PCB is dedicated to the principle that individuals in the field of Peer Support must be held to the highest standards of ethical practice. To that end, the PCB has adopted this Code of Ethical Conduct to be applied to all professionals certified by or seeking certification by the board. Individuals are subject to this code from the date of application to the PCB by the applicant. The Code of Ethical Conduct exists for the protection of peers.