WestBridge, Inc Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
Session Description: Having a loved one with co-occurring disorders can be overwhelming for the individual and the family unit. Due to the nature of dual brain diseases, families often find themselves providing crisis intervention and daily support, and are left feeling disempowered. Research has shown that the greatest success for healing is fostered when family members are included and incorporated throughout the treatment process. Family education and engagement results in increased connection, improved communication, and healthier family unit. This workshop will explore family-based programming and how peer-to-peer support groups and one-to one Family Peer Support programming empowers families with the tools and resources they need to begin their own healing journey. We will discuss the fundamental aspects of developing a Family Peer Support program. This includes: types of peer support connections (mothers, fathers, couples, siblings), recruiting, application process, background checks, screening, training on purpose, procedures, ethics and boundaries, and creating a structure for ongoing supervision and continuing education.
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss the benefits of engaging families in the recovery process.
Upon completion, participants will be able to explain and define family-based peer-to-peer supports (both individual and group formats).
Upon completion, participants will be able to define the dual relationship of family members in recovery and volunteers as family peer supports, ensuring safety, ethics and healthy boundaries.