Certified Peer Support Specialist Training

Have Questions? Contact Jamie Edwards at jedwards@cabinvillage.info

Recovery Can Happen

Recovery Can Happen is a NCCPSS training curriculum written by Terri Spears, MS, LCAS, CPSS

I thoroughly enjoyed this course, I have learned so much and look forward to sharing my experiences and the tools that I learned during the course to help others change their lives. The instruction was more than I ever could’ve expected, everything was clear and easy to understand. I feel I now have the tools to move forward productively and know my role as a PSS. I am very grateful for Terri Spears and the thought and effort that was put forth in this course!

Recent Student Comment

Recovery Can Happen NCCPSS training is designed to equip participants with a clear knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a PSS, how to work with a team, navigate systems, resolve conflict, adhere to ethics and agency standards, all while modeling that Recovery CAN Happen and offering living hope to those with substance use disorder and/or mental health concerns.  

More than simply lecture and Q&A, Recovery Can Happen training is alive and participatory. Terri has developed a training curriculum considering various learning styles that is interactive, engaging, and energizing. This is a 40-hour training delivered by the developer as primary facilitator. We have the capacity to provide flexible training dates/times including weekends/evenings in collaboration with community agencies.

Course Summary

Course Description: Peer Support Specialists are people living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder and who provide support to others whom can benefit from their lived experiences. The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program provides acknowledgment that the peer has met a set of requirements necessary to provide support to individuals with mental health or substance use disorder.


Upon completion class, students will be able to:

  • Define the roles and responsibilities of a Peer Support Specialist.
  • Describe how to work with a team.
  • Describe how to resolve conflict and adhere to ethics and agency standards.
  • Have resources to monitor and protect their recovery through the importance of self-care.

Great activities! I loved where we got to know ourselves and everyone and get to be in the now with our recovery stories. Loved how Terri listened to each and everyone of us and gave us great feedback on homework assignments and personal recovery stories.

Recent Student Comment

Course Details

Based on the 50 competencies required of approved Peer Support Specialist curriculum, all competencies will be taught and discussed in class through the use of lecture based on the text consisting of 15 chapters including an Introduction, Self-Care and Commitment to Personal Recovery, What is a Peer Support Specialist, What is Recovery, Substance use and Co-occurring Disorders, Understanding Mental Illness, Trauma-Informed Practice, Cultural Competency and Diversity, Stigma, Relationship Building: Values and Beliefs, Communication, Problem Solving, Facilitating and Instructing Groups, Conflicts in the Workplace, In Support of Military Service Members and their Families.

Embedded throughout the training to enhance the learning environment and the students’ confidence through the practical application of roles are activities that include sharing of experiences, video vignettes, role plays, paired and group activities, Pause and Practice, and review questions at the end of each chapter.

A final exam is administered for which the students are adequately prepared to succeed.      

The course is currently 100% online and delivered via the Zoom Platform.  The course will meet for 30 hours online via Zoom and be required to submit 10 hours of homework to the Instructor for Completion.  The total number of hours delivered equals the required 40 hours based on the North Carolina Peer Support Model Training Standard.

What to Expect After Registering

After registering you will receive the following:

  • Opportunity to discuss the program expectations and process with Training and Program Staff.
  • A short training application to complete and other details you will need to know about the event.
  • Detailed payment information (credit card and bank checks will be accepted).
  • Training Manual will be mailed to the provided address before the training event.
  • We do accept payment from third parties such as employers, vocational rehabilitation and other vendors.

Things to Know

Please remember to be eligible to complete the CPSS process in North Carolina attendees must hold at last a GED/High School Diploma and be in sustained recovery for one year from a substance or mental health issue.

In addition, visit the North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program Website at: https://pss.unc.edu/.

Our training fulfills initial training requirements for the CPSS Application in North Carolina, there are other state requirements for those seeking certification. Additional requirements and the complete state application process and details can be found at: https://pss.unc.edu/certification?

Very relaxed. Did not feel that I was in a classroom setting with my 4th grade teacher. Loved the manual. I could tell that real life experiences were conveyed.

Recent Student Comment

Have Questions?

Fill out the form below or email Jamie Edwards at jedwards@ncpreventiontta.org.

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