Peer Support Specialist, or How I Spent My Summer Part 5

A shadow cast against an open city street receding into the distance, representing reflection, departure, and moving forward after a formative professional experience

Part 5 — A Lesson Learned Twenty Years Later At eighteen, my mom encouraged me to start at community college before going into film. I didn’t enjoy that idea. It felt like a waste of time. Now, after having had the conversations I did this summer, with twenty years and 15+ years of work experience […]

Peer Support Specialist, or How I Spent My Summer Part 4

Looking up at a tall city building from street level, symbolizing structural barriers in behavioral health career advancement

Part 4 — I Hit the Ceiling As the realities and limitations of being a peer support specialist became clearer to me — and knowing my three-month review was on the horizon — I made it a point to sit down with the Program Director. My intention was to have an honest, two-way conversation about […]

Peer Support Specialist, or How I Spent My Summer Part 3

Blurry office setting reflecting the emerging daily reality of peer support work in behavioral health

Part 3 — They All Come to You Being a peer support specialist can be emotionally trying and demanding. You’ll get people with trust issues, people who attempt to manipulate others to get needs met. A good section of them see no point in the program itself; it’s an inconvenience toward a bigger end — […]

Peer Support Specialist, or How I Spent My Summer Part 2

Overcast urban alley, evoking tension and navigating a difficult first week as a peer support specialist

Part 2 — Bored by the Posturing There are 10 hours of groups a day, and I can understand how daunting that schedule can be as a participant. Some people choose not to show, others do different activities for their enrichment. However, unless specifically sanctioned, they don’t count as credit. And I’m not one to […]

Peer Support Specialist, or How I Spent My Summer

Urban building entrance at street level, representing a career pivot into peer support work

Part 1 — It’s Real Now I spent the better part of Q1 2026 studying to be a peer support specialist, working hard to fit my training around other obligations, which ended up meaning I left two jobs because of this commitment. Faithfully, week in and week out, I attended virtual trainings, compiled notes and […]