Certified Peer Specialist Training - Part One

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I was fortunate last week to not only attend the CPS Training, but to film it. I've wanted to do this for ages but since it's never been filmed, I assumed it wasn't allowed. But all the participants agreed to be filmed, and I got so much footage that this is turning into a mini-documentary!

So many of you have heard about this training from me mentioning it here and there, but I don't think I ever went into any details about it. When I took the training in 2003, it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. There is a certain type of transformation that occurs during the training -- from believing yourself to be a hopeless mental patient, dependent on the system forever, and having no concept of "recovery," to believing something surprisingly different. This training enlightens you and fosters hope and specific tools to not only help yourself but to help others who are still trapped in the old mindsets. It's like a de-programming process that occurs, and your thinking changes forever.

This video covers the 2nd day of training where the participants were instructed to discuss ways that the system keeps people stuck. Many people have never allowed themselves a discussion like this, but as soon as they realized they were not alone in what they felt, they began to loosen up.

Beth was my teacher back in 2003, and this was her last training. It's sad to see her go. Bob Patterson is the new Project Director, and this training was his first. It's a "passing the torch" training and I am so honored to have been a part of it!

Please stayed tuned for Part 2!