Peer Into Recovery

Podcast Problem Gambling Peer Support with Don McCourtney About the Episode Date: January 19, 2024 Episode 30: Problem Gambling Peer Support with Don McCourtney Summary Check out our latest podcast episode featuring Don McCourtney, Lead Problem Gambling Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office of Recovery Services, as he shares his experience with supporting others on their journey in recovery from gambling addiction. Don McCourtney holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Nebraska and is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist, and a Certified Problem Gambling Counselor. He is the Lead Problem Gambling Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office of Recovery Services. 

Podcast Problem Gambling Peer Support with Don McCourtney About the Episode Date: January 19, 2024 Episode 30: Problem Gambling Peer Support with Don McCourtney Summary Check out our latest podcast episode featuring Don McCourtney, Lead Problem Gambling Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office of Recovery Services, as he shares his experience with supporting others on their journey in recovery from gambling addiction. Don McCourtney holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Nebraska and is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist, and a Certified Problem Gambling Counselor. He is the Lead Problem Gambling Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office of Recovery Services. 

Podcast Life Coaching with Veronica Castro-Albano About the Episode Date: November 1, 2023 Episode 29: Life Coaching with Veronica Castro-Albano Summary Check out our latest podcast episode featuring Veronica Castro-Albano as she shares her story of becoming a PRS and a Certified Life Coach. Veronica discusses utilizing the strengths of both approaches without diluting their individual qualities. Veronica Castro-Albano is a Peer Recovery Specialist as well as a Certified Life Coach. She also volunteered with NAMI for several years. She has written three books about being a peer recovery specialist and also from a Life Coach perspective as well. Born in Argentina, Veronica is a world traveler who has lived in England, New York, New Jersey and now Virginia with her husband and children. An encourager by nature, her passion is to help women become who they truly are inside and who they want to be on the outside.

Podcast Racial Identity as a Peer Recovery Specialistwith Sarah McFarland About the Episode Date: August 30, 2023 Episode 28: Racial Identity as a Peer Recovery Specialist with Sarah McFarland Summary Our new podcast episode features Sarah McFarland, R-PRS, discussing her racial identity and the trials and tribulations and everyday challenges she faces as a BIPOC in her role as a registered peer recovery specialist. Sarah is a Certified Trauma Professional, Certified Personal Medication Coach, Registered Peer Recovery Specialist and Resilience Practitioner. Her professional experience includes CASA volunteer, Advocate for Sexual Trauma Services and Domestic Violence Prevention. She devotes much of her time to advocate for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. Sarah is an active member, advocate and facilitator and former board member for NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Podcast Peer-Run Centerswith Heather Pate About the Episode Date: August 16, 2023 Episode 27: Peer-Run Centers with Heather Pate Summary In this brand new episode with Heather Pate, R-PRS, we discuss the intersection of being a peer who serves as a Director of Operations at a peer-run day center. We discuss the daily challenges of such a role that includes both a vision-casting perspective as well as an implementation, or operational, perspective. Heather Pate is the Director of Operations at Robin's Hope. She is a Certified Older Adult Peer Support Trainer. She is also certified to work as a trainer with the LGBTQIA+ community. She holds certifications as a WRAP trainer, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice-involved trainer, Trauma-informed Care trainer, Peer Activated Resilience trainer as well as a State trainer of the DBHDS 72-hour PRS training.

Podcast Peer-Run Warm Lineswith Erica Bullock About the Episode Date: August 2, 2023 Episode 26: Peer-Run Warm Lines with Erica Bullock Summary Our brand new episode with Erica Bullock, R-PRS, is one that you will love! In this episode, we take a peek behind the curtain of her work as a Warm Line Manager to understand what it takes to do such an important job for peers in need of support. She discusses the intricacies of wearing multiple management hats while keeping the focus of the Warm Line as a welcoming and safe space for the peers who call in for support.  Erica Bullock is the Warm Line Manager for the MHAV Warm Line. She has held the R-PRS designation since 2016 and also has a National MHA Certification since 2017. In addition, Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising from VCU as well as an MBA from University of Phoenix.

Podcast Older Adult Peer Supportwith Bently Wood About the Episode Date: July 12, 2023 Episode 25: Older Adult Peer Support with Bently Wood Summary Our brand new episode with Bently Wood is one you don't want to miss! We discuss his work as a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist as well as a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist Faciliator for Certification. He illuminates the challenges and triumphs of working with Older Adult Peers and highlights the joy of his work with this important demographic of often over-looked peers inviting others to consider being apart of this unique type of peer support.ation. Bently Wood is a Lead Regional Peer Recovery Specialist Coordinator with Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, supporting and developing the peer workforce in Virginia's DBHDS Region 4. He has lectured on substance use and mental health challenges, stigma, recovery language, and peer support. He is a trainer for peer recovery specialists in Ethics, Leadership, Certified Personal Medicine, emotional CPR, Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery (APPR), Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and the 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training curriculum required to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia. Drawing on his personal journey from substance use and mental health challenges into recovery, he works as an advocate for social justice in behavioral health, the LGBT community, while serving as the President of Vocal Virginia.

Podcast Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda with Billie Carroll About the Episode Date: June 14, 2023 Episode 24: Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda with Billie Carroll Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Billie Carroll, discuss yoga, meditation and Ayurveda healing modalities. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Trauma/Mental Health/Addiction Ayurvedic Specialist and Certified Resiliency and Recovery Yoga Instructor. Billie Carroll is the CEO of the HARRT Center located in Richmond, Virginia. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Trauma/Mental Health/Addiction Ayurvedic Specialist, Certified Resiliency and Recovery Yoga Instructor, Certified Yoga and Neuroscience Instructor, Certified Yoga for Eating Disorders Instructor, Body Positive Ambassador, and a Yoga and Body Image Coalition Partner.

Podcast Surviving Suicide with Lauren Ball About the Episode Date: May 31, 2023 Episode 23: Surviving Suicide with Lauren Ball Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Lauren Ball, a Virginia Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, share her experience, strength and hope around the issue of suicide and how she bring help, hope and healing to peers who struggle with similar issues in her local community. Please note: The drop in support groups mentioned are for those seeking recovery from addiction and co-occurring addiction and mental health. *Trigger Warning* As May comes to a close and the official observance of Mental Health Month, we felt this is an important topic to discuss to bring support and help remove stigma. This podcast does not go into detail about suicidal thoughts etc. Rather, it is a discussion of how to overcome such struggles. Still, please use caution if this subject matter may be triggering for you. As always, do NOT hesitate to reach out for help. You can always call or text the number 988 for safe, non-judgmental, anonymous and confidential support 24/7/365. Lauren Ball, Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, is the Outreach Substance Use Peer Recovery Specialist at the Rappahannock Area Community Service Board. In addition, she is a WRAP Facilitator as well as a Nami Connections Group Facilitator.

Podcast Year of the Peer with Michael Lane About the Episode Date: May 3, 2023 Episode 21: Year of the Peer with Michael Lane Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Michael Lane, M.A. Ed., NCPS, who works in Fairfax, Va. as the Division Director for Recovery Services. In this episode, we discuss Michael's journey as a peer from homelessness to becoming a strong and effective peer leader making a big impact through his work at the Fairfax Falls Church Community Service Board. We also discuss his work in the arts which led him to create the concept "Year of the Peer" which, in turn, inspired the 2023 state-wide celebratory movement of the same. Michael Lane, M.A., NCPS, is the Division Director of Recovery Services at the Fairfax Falls Church Community Service Board in Fairfax, Va. He holds a Bachelors in Drama from UC Irvine as well as a Masters in Organizational Learning and Effectiveness from University of the Pacific. In addition, Mr. Lane holds several certifications which include WRAP Facilitator and Certified Wellness Works Trainer .

Podcast Drug Court and the 5 Rules of Recovery with Carl Mack About the Episode Date: April 12,, 2023 Episode 20: Drug Court and the 5 Rules of Recovery with Carl Mack Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Carl Mack, R-PRS, FPRS who works in Lynchburg, Virginia for the Virginia Health Department and Drug Court as well. In this episode, we discuss the nexus between his work at the Health Department and Drug Court through the lens of an evidence-based recovery philosophy called the 5 Rules of Recovery that he shares with the peers he is supporting in Region 4. Carl Mack is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist. He is also a Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist. In addition, Carl is a veteran of the United States Army.

Podcast Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition with Chris Alderman About the Episode Date: March 29, 2023 Episode 19: Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition with Chris Alderman Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Chris Alderman who works in Pulaski, Virginia as the Program Manager for Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition. We discuss the philosophy behind and services provided by the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition to peers who struggle with substance abuse and mental health challenges and the impact they are making on a daily basis in southwest Virginia. Chris Alderman is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. He is also a Certified A.C.E.S. Facilitator as well as Certified Rapid H.I.V. Testing Administrator. He loves people, tattoos and does not play basketball (he is 6'6).

Podcast Seeking Safety with Sharika Lampkin-Briscoe About the Episode Date: February 22, 2023 Episode 17: Seeking Safety with Sharika Lampkin-Briscoe Summary In this episode of Peer into Recovery, we discuss Seeking Safety as a means to assist and support peers in their journey to maximum health and wellness. In addition, we discuss the job similarities and differences between a Managed Care Company (MCO) vs. non-profit peer work. Sharika Lampkin-Briscoe holds a Bachelors in Human Services with a minor in Psychology as well as a Masters in Human Services from Florida Memorial University. She is the R-PRS Recovery Resiliency Manager at Optum Health and leads and facilitates Seeking Safety groups.

Podcast Delivering Peer Support in Rural Settings with Robyn Hantelman About the Episode Date: January 24, 2023 Episode 16: Delivering Peer Support in Rural Settings with Robyn Hantelman Summary This podcast will discuss the issues and barriers that are experienced by peers who live in rural areas. One of the many challenges Peer Recovery Specialists face is providing support to peers from communities different from themselves. Learning the cultural beliefs and understanding the differences in perspective are crucial to make progress in peer support. Rural communities face their own challenges as it pertains to recovery and oftentimes do not have the support they need. This podcast will shed light on those issues to help dismantle those barriers. Robyn Hantelman holds an M.Ed., R-CPRS, COAPS-T, MARS-T. She is a MAT Advocate, Harm Reductionist, Veteran Spouse and Mom in Recovery. In addition, Robyn is the co-founder of The ROOT Project (Rural Overdose and Outreach Team) and is an Emerging Leader in VCU Recovery Leadership Academy.   Robyn HantelmanGoochland Powhatan Community Servicesrvarobynrecovery@gmail.com

Podcast Youth Peer Supportwith Ashley Fitzkee About the Episode Date: November 30, 2022 Episode 14: Youth Peer Support with Ashley Fitzkee Summary Young people, and the young at heart, all over the world are embracing recovery. Peer Recovery Specialists support new paths to recovery by modeling self-care, healthy relationships, and a humble and teachable attitude in order to grow in recovery. Part of peer recovery work is helping the peer in question to find their best practices and solutions to create and sustain help, hope and healing in their lives. A key theme in recovery for young people is the concept of personal authenticity. Being who you really are without excuse or apology is a watershed moment in recovery! Ashley Fitzkee is a part of the first round of interns with the Region 4 Peer Intern Academy, as well as the first round of interns with Family Support Partners of VA. Through FSP of VA, she is a Youth Support Partner. She created her own support group called the Self-Love Club with the purpose of raising awareness of the healing power of genuinely loving oneself into recovery and staying there. Currently, Ashley works at the SAARA Center as their YPR Coordinator. Ashley Fitzkee YPR Coordinator ashleyf@saara.org

Community Inclusion with Jim Kochany About the Episode Date: March 4, 2022 Episode 14: Community Inclusion with Jim Kochany Summary Community inclusion means that people, regardless of their disabilities, have the right to participate fully in public life. The goal of community inclusion is to create inclusive, diverse communities which are welcoming without labeling. Community inclusion promotes active engagement in the everyday world and participation in mainstream community life, like everyone else. It takes place outside of institutions and agencies, which segregate participants. Peer Recovery Specialists can advocate for change by initiating conversations to address the need for unbiased community inclusion and overcome the obstacles of stigma, discrimination, and marginalization. Jim Kochany is a Registered-Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Family Support Partner, and Certified Community Health Worker. He is currently in a new position as a Community Inclusion Specialist for Henrico County but has worked with the CSB since 2016 on their Assertive Community Treatment Team and Psychosocial/Rehab Treatment programs. Jim is also DBHDS-certified as a trainer for the Peer Recovery Specialist certificate training program and a recovery ally trainer.   Jim Kochany, CPRSkoc003@henrico.us Resources Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion Spirit Works Foundation The Peer Facilitated Community Inclusion Toolkit ARCO Faces and Voices of Recovery NAMI Pledge to be Stigma-Free Virginia Commonwealth University Rams in Recovery

Group Facilitation with Heather Fossen and Kevin Kelly About the Episode Date: November 29, 2021 Episode 13: Group Facilitation with Heather Fossen and Kevin Kelly Summary Group facilitation is a common task for a peer recovery specialist. A skilled facilitator acts as an architect, pilot, and guide leading a group toward its intended purpose. Within the profession of peer support, group facilitators seek to create an environment that inspires, informs, and integrates the topic at hand, by encouraging empathy, creativity, and engagement among group members.  Heather Fossen is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a Crisis Intervention Team instructor, a Copeland Center Certified WRAP Facilitator, and has facilitated extensive workshops at Visions day program for the local community services board in Culpeper. Kevin Kelly serves as a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, a Copeland Center Certified WRAP Facilitator, a Qualified Mental Health Professional, and a Crisis Intervention Team trainer/presenter at Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services located in Glen Allen.

Regional Peer Support with Carla Heath About the Episode Date: October 25, 2021 Episode 12: Regional Peer Support with Carla Heath Summary As the profession of peer support continues to evolve in Virginia, new career ladders are developing. Learn more about the role of a Regional Peer Recovery Specialist Coordinator and how the position collaborates with other providers, shares recovery resources with those in Region 4 (Central Virginia), and assists in connecting the supports available to those who need them.  Carla Heath has fifteen years of experience in the peer support field, developing, providing, and overseeing peer services. Her experience and skills acquired in serving as a co-founder and executive director of a non-profit center, combined with her work at Community Service Boards, gives her a unique perspective regarding peer and recovery-oriented services. She is a Peer Recovery Specialist trainer, a Certified Personal Medicine Coach trainer, an ECPR trainer, an Ethics facilitator, a Mentorship trainer, and a WRAP facilitator trainer. She has conducted numerous workshops at conferences and has given keynote addresses. Carla's story has been told in the book “Firewalkers,” as well as in articles in Richmond's Style Weekly and the Chesterfield Observer. She was honored to be a part of a segment on ABC News regarding recovery from mental health challenges. Resources Region 4 CPRS Booklet Region 4 YouTube Channel

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Episode 10: First Responder Peer Support with Jonathan Lang About the Episode Date: July 19, 2021 Episode 10: First Responder Peer Support with Jonathan Lang Summary First Responder Peer support is informed mental health and substance abuse assistance provided by trained, certified peers who also work (or have worked) as first responders. They provide emotional support, awareness, guidance, suggestions, resources and an empathetic ear to help guide an individual to recovery. The program is confidential and members are able to seek out peer members on their own terms and in a comfortable environment. Public health and public safety workers experience a broad range of health and mental health consequences as a result of work-related exposures to natural or human-caused disasters. First responders involved in these occupations are exposed to hazards inherent in the nature of their jobs. Examples include exposure (direct or indirect) to death, grief, injury, pain, or loss as well as direct exposure to threats to personal safety, long hours of work, frequent shifts and longer shift hours, poor sleep, physical hardships, and other negative experiences. Jonathan Lang is a proud husband and father of two living in Fredericksburg Virginia. He has been in recovery for the past 6 years from alcohol and drugs and is passionate about helping others along their journey to recovery. He is a firm believer that if he can do it then anyone is able to achieve long term recovery. Jonathan has served for 18 years as a Firefighter/EMT at Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services, Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, and Forward Operating Base Camp Bucca, Iraq. Motivated by the tragic loss of a coworker and his own struggles with substance use disorder and mental illness, Jonathan has successfully founded and developed the country's first federal peer-support program for first responders at a U.S. Army installation. He is also a member for the International Association of Firefighters Behavioral Health Committee representing the 16th district in breaking the stigma and making a change in how the fire service responds to their own in regards to behavioral health and substance use disorder. Jonathan also works part time in the evenings for the AliveRVA program in Richmond Virginia as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, answering the Warm Line. He has also founded and created the organization Hope for Emergency Responders Organization (H.E.R.O.) that provides funding, a scholarship for teens going into college who have lost a first responder loved one to suicide or overdose as well as a First Responder Warm Line staffed by fellow first responder peer support specialists.

Episode 9: Forensic Peer Support with Dawud Nubian About the Episode Date: May 18, 2021 Episode 9: Forensic Peer Support with Dawud Nubian Summary Forensic peer support is intended for people experiencing and recovering from trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, and incarceration. Forensic peer specialists utilize their own history of criminal justice system involvement and mental health/addiction/trauma recovery to deliver peer support services related to behavioral health and criminal justice system involvement. In addition to supporting recovery, forensic peer specialists can help their clients to reduce recidivism and help with re-entry into the community. Mr. Dawud Nubian is a returning Citizen who has spent most of his life on drugs and in and out of jails and prison. He has over 20 years of recovery from Alcohol and drug addiction. A native New Yorker from the Bronx his journey from New York to Virginia was a tumultuous one. Suffering from manic depression/bipolar disease as a young adult, drug use and criminal activity became his coping mechanisms and survival tactics of dealing with the world and himself. Since his release from prison in 2013, he has held only 1 job. Helping others. Before his release Mr. Nubian planned/prepared himself mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically to become a successful, productive and innovative member of society. He is the CEO of Project D.E.T.E.R Inc. (Delegation Established To Encourage Recovery) a non-profit agency committed to Recovery, Re-entry and Family Reconciliation. An advocate for improving re-entry efforts he attends resource fairs, advocates for criminal justice reform and is a state wide volunteer for the Department of Corrections. He has a passion for helping returning citizens remember, “Get Free before you Get Free”. He developed a curriculum for Forensic Peer Support while incarcerated and submitted it for approval to the Virginia Certification Board which granted him 26 CEU's and to NAADAC, both granted him an Educational Provider Status. To date he has trained over 100 Forensic Peers and 5 Trainers in the State. His love and passion for his work has developed in him a selfless attitude. He enjoys returning to DOC facilities and speaking to men/women who are on their way out and those who have some time left by letting them know that “If I can do it, You can do it! Since his release he has achieved: Bachelors Degree in Psychology Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) facilitator Trauma Informed Care facilitator Certified Forensic Peer Support Trainer, and CPR/First Aid/AED Trainer. He finds various resources for individuals who suffer & struggle with their mental wellness and/or substance use disorder who have been incarcerated.

Episode 8: Family Peer Support with Cristy Corbin About the Episode Date: April 5, 2021 Episode 8: Family Peer Support with Cristy Corbin Summary Family Support Partners offer guidance, advocacy, and peer support for parents and caregivers of children and youth receiving services from mental, substance use, and other related service systems. They are trained peer supporters using their personal parenting experiences to assist parents and caregivers navigate child-serving systems more effectively, learn from other families, and gain hope and information.  Cristy Corbin has been an integral part in developing the Family Support Partner (FSP) role in Virginia over the past eleven years. In her most recent job position, Cristy was representing the family perspective and voice throughout Virginia as the System of Care State Family Lead for Virginia's System of Care grants. In this role, Cristy was providing training, support and program consultation to a variety of grant sites, until this grant funding ended on September 30, 2020. Due to the unprecedented need for this type of role and Cristy's passion to continue the work, Cristy founded Family Support Partners of Virginia, Inc., a peer support service provider, to ensure parents/caregivers, youth, and adult individuals throughout Virginia will continue to have an option for this form of peer support. As a subject matter expert, Cristy provides a variety of trainings, peer support program development and consultation, peer support workforce development, supervision and coaching, and continued advocacy for family voice and choice, and policy changes and development to better serve the recovery community. Cristy has served on a variety of committees, workgroups, and boards ensuring that the family and youth's perspectives were included and honored in the decision-making processes, and currently serves as the parent representative on the Virginia Children's Services Act's State and Local Advisory Team. Learn more about Family Support Partners of Virginia

Episode 7: Staying Connected in a Syndemic with Jason Cox About the Episode Date: February 9, 2021 Episode 7: Staying Connected in a Syndemic with Jason Cox Summary Fostering connection is a core tenet of peer support. In a syndemic, what are our options for building relationships and maintaining our support network? We talk about the successes and challenges of peer recovery support while in the midst of concurrent epidemics.  Jason Cox is the Lead Certified Peer Recovery Specialist with Alive RVA and SAARA of Virginia. He has worked alongside others in the community such as DEA, Discovery Education, SAFE Opioid Prevention Taskforce, and many others to assist in taking positive action in the community and reduce the stigma of SUD one step at a time. Jason is living in long-term recovery and plans to continue gaining knowledge to become the most effective Peer Recovery Specialist possible. Jason is truly grateful for the opportunity to give this knowledge to those who need help and seek recovery from substance use disorder and addiction.

Peer Job Development with Cynthia Evans About the Episode Date: November 12, 2020 Episode 6: Peer Job Development with Cynthia Evans Summary Supporting peers in their job search and professional development is often a task of a peer recovery specialist. Encouraging peers to discover and follow their dreams is empowering for both the peer and peer supporter. We also discuss the future of the profession of peer support and thinking beyond the one-on-one peer support model. Key Topics Challenges faced by peers and peer recovery specialists in job searches Computer proficiency and role play as essential job skills for peer recovery specialists The importance of networking in professional development Incorporating job skills learned in other professional capacities Cynthia Evans has worked for peer-run mental health and disability organizations on the local, state, and national levels. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a Peer Support Specialist, Job Developer, Trainer, Consultant, and Program Director. Administration, grant writing and management, training and group facilitation are among her many skills professionally. A native of Detroit, she is a gifted speaker who seeks to use life lessons learned to “enhearten” her peers - which means “to encourage, to give confidence to, and to embolden others!”