Next Training: Virtual: October 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th
Using nationally recognized best practices for Peer Support, participants learn to facilitate healthy conversations and outcomes, reduce peer isolation and develop tools to create a network of peer support.
2024 Upcoming Training Dates:
In-Person Training: September 27th-29th/Virtual Training: October 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th
Each training is 22 hours and split up over multiple days. For each session mentioned above, attendance to all dates is required for course completion and a certificate at the end. Each virtual training is four days and each in-person session is three days.
Starting in 2024, we will now have two tier options for you to take the training:
Tier 1 offers the training, without CEU’s, on a sliding scale from $150-$300 & Tier 2 offers the training, with 20.5 CEU’s, for a flat rate of $500 (credits valid only in Washington State)
To choose your payment option, please visit the shop section of our website here!
Upcoming Virtual-Training: October 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th
Time: 8am-3pm
Admissions: Everyone!; veterans, civilians, students, teachers, and counselors, are welcome.
When: Thursday; October 24th, Friday; October 25th, Monday; October 28th, Tuesday; October 29th from 8am to 3pm.
Where: This training will be hosted online via Zoom.
Preparation: To ensure you have a smooth and productive experience, we suggest you Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can participate without distractions and make sure you have a reliable internet connection. Download and install the Zoom application on your laptop device ahead of time and familiarize yourself with Zoom.
An introductory email with the information needed for the class will be sent out the Monday prior to the start of training.
Cost For Both In-Person+ Virtual Training Sessions:
The training is offered on a sliding scale, without CEU’s, starting at $150-$300, please choose whatever payment option works best for you. If you would like to receive the 20.5 CEU’s for the training, it is a flat rate of $500. To choose your payment option, click here. Please have your payment in no later than two weeks prior to the training.
To sign up, please fill out the following form.
Peer Support Training Program
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Peer Support Training is the framework to support and connect to one another through the lens of humanity versus judgement. To hold space for one another and our experiences in authentic ways.
Developed by veterans and mental health care professionals - for veterans, civilians, mental health providers, businesses, and organizations committed to the wellness of veterans and each other.
Research conducted by the Veterans Health Administration “revealed that participants described the PST in largely positive ways and reported using learned skills with both veterans and nonveterans across their personal and professional lives. Specifically, participants reported learning tools through the PST that increased their patience, mindfulness, awareness, empathy, and confidence, resulting in improved interpersonal relationships and communications across multiple domains.”
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While geared to develop your role as a Peer Supporter to veterans, this training will benefit anyone. You will improve your interpersonal communication skills in both a personal and professional capacity.
Common professions that take this training are: Mental Health Professionals, HR Managers, Those who work closely with veterans in their daily work, Leadership Roles, Management Roles, and anyone seeking to increase their communication and support skills.
Past participants have cited many reasons for wanting to take the PST, including being a veteran, working with veterans, wanting to help veteran families, working with teens who have attempted suicide, wanting to serve the community, wanting to address their own personal issues, wanting to build communication skills, wanting to build/improve peer support programs or collaborate with other programs, and wanting to get more involved in GV.
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Recognizing & understanding the symptoms of PTSD
Identifying causes & cycles of PTSD and Transition Stress
Utilizing the skillset of a Peer Supporter (Presence, Empathy, and Curiosity)
How to create a Culture of Peer Support in your workplace
Supporting those in crisis, whether veteran or civilian
Holding space for others stories and experiences
PST Alumni have noted that this training improved their knowledge of peer support and peer support skills as well as their confidence and willingness to use these skills. As one participant said, "You can apply these skills to just about any conversation. Peer support is not unique for just veterans. This is a life skill:'
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The training has been developed into a five-day online format that spans 21 hours of training and a 3-day intensive in-person training held throughout various locations throughout WA.
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Our training is incredibly interactive with participants interacting with one another in small cohorts to practice the Peer Support skillset. You will be engaged the entire time - no sitting at the computer with your camera off for this one!
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This intensive workshop has been accredited by the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMCHA) and is eligible for 20.5 CEU's. Credits valid only in Washington State.
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The cost for this training is offered in two different tiers:
Without CEU’s, the cost starts on a sliding scale from $150-$300.
With CEU’s, it is a flat rate of $500.
To choose your payment option, visit the shop section here.
Please have your payment submitted no less than two weeks prior to the start of training.
“During both my military and civilian careers, I experienced and participated in a myriad seminars, institutes, classes, etc., covering many subjects ranging from organizational leadership to complex systems operations and many more. Growing Veterans’ Peer Training program is among the best I have ever attended. Immediately impactful, it provided tools and techniques to enhance the value and effectiveness of mentoring opportunities.”
If you are interested in Peer Support Training in general or want to know more about a session coming up, please fill out the form below.
An 18-month study conducted by Veterans Administration's Center of Innovation on Disability & Rehab Research (CINDRR) of our peer support training program sponsored by the Bob Woodruff Foundation concluded:
Growing Veterans' Peer Support Training is an evidence-based program that uses best practices as identified by DCOE as essential to successful military/veteran peer support programs. The evaluation indicates overwhelmingly, attendees reported the GV PST to be a powerful, transformative and positive experience.
Researchers from the Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Section of James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Florida also praised GV’s PST program and acknowledged several “unintended consequences of note”:
Participants reported using their peer support skills with all different populations, veterans and non-veterans;
Many even say that they have been able to use the peer support skills with their families to improve relationships;
Several non-veteran participants noted a benefit of the PST as heightening their awareness of Veteran struggles.
We’re Research backed! Read more using the links below
What are other people saying?
Along with research conducted by CINDRR finding "Growing Veterans' Peer Support Training to be a powerful, transformative and positive experience," here are some first-hand recollections from past participants;
