By: Ellen M. Healion, MA Ed, NYCPS, Director of Peer Bridger Services and National Technical Assistance Provider, Alliance for Rights and Recovery. 

Summary of the Supervision Learning Network Session – Peer Support: Supervision, Fidelity, and Peer Drift

The focus of this session was three important aspects of delivering effective peer support services:

This session is relevant to MHOTRS programs because the supervision of peer staff requires openness to peer values and knowledge of peer practices. Ellen shared a few key concepts to use in the practice of supervision. 

Good Supervision is built on trust. Can peer staff be open with the supervisor regarding situations they encounter? Does the supervisor understand the stressors they encounter? Ellen had some clear tips for supervisors to consider about how they supervise peer support staff. 

Fidelity is based on practicing in alignment with peer values and ethics. Does the organization understand the values of peer support? Is the Code of Ethics for peer support specialists followed? The Code of Ethics guides the role and establishes the boundaries regarding peer role.

Peer Drift happens when the role of the peer specialist begins to deviate from the practices that distinguish peer support workers from clinical providers. It is caused by role confusion and ambiguity around the duties and functions of the peer. 

There are two categories of peer drift: Organizational and Individual. 

• Organizational peer drift can happen if non-peer colleagues marginalize peer support workers
• Individual peer drift can happen if peer support workers’ tasks inadvertently take on the characteristics of their non-peer colleagues (drifting toward the clinical) or are perceived as another form of support by the individuals with whom they work (sponsor, informal therapist, etc.)

The following chart identifies a few areas where a peer support specialist may drift away from their role:

These are just a few of the key concepts conveyed by Ellen during this presentation. If you are a supervisor (or if you receive supervision from someone who is not a peer practitioner), the recording for this session is worth watching. 

About the Presenter: Ellen M. Healion, MA Ed, NYCPS, began her career in the field of special education until her own experience with the mental health service system caused her to change focus. She is a well-respected peer services consultant within mental health systems, agencies, and programs and has been a leader in the field for over 30 years. She was a Co-Founder of Hands Across Long Island (HALI) for 32 years. Ellen presents at conferences and trains on a variety of topics affecting individuals in recovery, bringing the voice of lived experience to the landscape of Mental Health Services, Medicaid and Managed Care.

Recording and Slides:

The presentation slides and recording for this session are available in PeerTAC Resources: https://peertac.org/resources/peer-support-supervision-fidelity-peer-drift/