Peer Support

Peer Support

“Peer support is a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful. Peer support is not based on psychiatric models and diagnostic criteria. It is about understanding another’s situation empathically through the shared experience of emotional and psychological pain. When people find affiliation with others they feel are ‘like’ them, they feel a connection. This connection, or affiliation, is a deep, holistic understanding based on mutual experience where people are able to ‘be’ with each other without the constraints of traditional (expert/patient) relationships.”  Shery Mead, Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist Network website (https://virginiapeerspecialistnetwork.org/)

My Peer Support Services

In 2016, the State of Virginia certified me as a Peer Recovery Specialist after taking an in-person training course. I have successfully worked with over 500 clients  around the world. I must be recertified every two years through continuing education. My certification requires adherence to a code of ethics. My one-on-one peer support relies on both my personal experiences and credentials as a certified peer recovery specialist to teach OCD sufferers how to summon the power and strength within to transform their perspective and get to a place where OCD does not adversely affect their lives. I provide a roadmap of hope that shares valuable information about the growing discipline of peer support, insight into how to build a recovery foundation, insight into my strategy to overcome OCD, motivation, encouragement, and tips for sufferers to self-motivate in order to become indifferent to the intrusive thoughts and resist giving in to compulsions. All sessions are confidential.

I offer:

1. One-on-One Virtual Peer Support: I offer personalized virtual peer support sessions to people affected by OCD. Drawing from my own experiences as an individual who overcame severe OCD and my expertise as a certified peer recovery specialist, I provide guidance, motivation, and practical techniques to empower sufferers  in their recovery journey. These sessions serve as a valuable adjunct to therapy, particularly for individuals facing difficulties in accessing or affording treatment or those on lengthy waitlists.
2. In-Person or Virtual Motivational Talks at In-Patient OCD Treatment Centers: I am available to deliver motivational talks at in-patient OCD treatment centers. By sharing my personal journey of conquering OCD, along with the strategies I developed, I aim to inspire and instill hope in individuals undergoing treatment. These talks will provide encouragement, motivation, and practical tips to help individuals resist intrusive thoughts and compulsions associated with OCD.