Empowering Mental Health Practitioners
SubstanceU specializes in education programs for clinical professionals. Our courses support mental health and addictions practitioners to improve Peer Support collaboration in their practice.
llaboration in their practice.
The Power of Peer Support in Clinical Practice
Integrating Peer Support fosters genuine understanding and shared experience, enriching clinical interactions and promoting recovery.
Courses
Courses & Training
Offers specialized courses and workshops for mental health and addiction practitioners.
Explore Courses
To learn more about our SubstanceU Course streams, click each link below:
Lived Experience: Peer Support in Practice | CEU-PSP
Course Code | CEU-PSP
In-depth training for practitioners working alongside people with lived experience (PWLE) and peer support workers in the field of mental health and addictions. This course provides a clear understanding of the roles, strengths and limitations of peer support workers in various treatment settings, including hospital ED and inpatient settings, community care teams, detox centres, rehabilitation facilities, and community services settings. This course informs participants in a way that addresses misunderstandings and explains the nuances of peer support as a practice.
This course is for:
- Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists
- Mental Health and Addictions Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists
- Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Program Assistants
- Clinical managers, team leads, supervisors
- Peer Support Workers joining healthcare teams
What You’ll Learn:
- Best practices for onboarding and collaboration
- How to define roles and boundaries to promote and protect peer work
- Strategic sharing, supervision, and safety
- Building trust between clinical and peer staff
- How to improve client engagement by collaborating with lived experience mentors
Outcome:
A more engaged team focused on holistic care, grounded in empathy and lived experience for improved client outcomes in our mental health system.
Location:
Online (teacher-led)
Delivery Method:
Teacher-Led, Online
Note: Teacher-led online classes use videoconferencing software (which may require a camera and a microphone).
Peer Support Services as a Resource | CEU-PSP
Course Code | CEU-PSR
In-depth training for practitioners to improve understanding of Peer Support as a recovery practice; 1:1 & group supports; community peer support integration to your care plans, whether or not Peer Support Workers or people with lived experience (PWLE) are part of your care teams.
This course is for:
- Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists
- Mental Health and Addictions Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists
- Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Program Assistants
- Clinical managers, team leads, supervisors
- Peer Support Workers
What You’ll Learn:
- The function of and levels of Peer support
- Where to access Peer Support in the community
- How to define roles and boundaries
- Building trust between clinical and peer staff
Outcome:
Increased engagement through client-centred, empathetic, lived experience support, more positive service experience and improved mental health outcomes.
Location:
Online (teacher-led)
Delivery Method:
Teacher-Led, Online
Note: Teacher-led online classes use videoconferencing software (which may require a camera and a microphone).
Custom Classes & Workshops
Provides tailored classes to meet specific Peer Support integration needs.
Explore Custom Services
SubstanceU offers Custom Courses | Workshops | Talks, Presentations & Keynote Speaking
Courses and Services. To get started, click the link below:
Courses + Workshops + Consulting Services
Custom Courses | Workshops | Talks, Presentations & Keynote Speaking
Contact Us to learn more about how SubstanceU can support your organization through talks, courses and workshops designed specifically for your workplace, staff and care teams.
Ideal for:
- Large Organizations
- Mental Health and Addictions Rehabs and long-term care facilities
- Mental Health and Addictions Educational Institutions
- Post-Secondary learning institutions
- Private clinics and independent practices
- Peer Support Workers wishing to move into lived experience education
Outcome:
Increase engagement and understanding of lived experience and peer support practices for holistic mental health and addictions care, better team cohesion and a workplace-centered in empathy and understanding resulting in a more positive service experience and improved mental health outcomes.
Delivery Method(s):
Teacher-led, online, in-person or hybrid
How can we help?
Take our Discovery Questionnaire to find the best services for you:
Testimonials
Peer Support as a Practice – Course participants
“SubstanceU’s peer support courses defined what is versus what is not peer support and how this role can be utilized far more than anything else I’ve encountered.”
“I found the illustrations very helpful. Especially the Peer Support Umbrella with peer support as the handle, as well as the different pillars of recovery illustration – I will use these in my practice when doing psychoeducation with my clients.”
“To help me better utilize peer support for client engagement, I will be asking the Peer Support Worker what they are best suited for and utilize them in that role.”
“A great takeaway was around delegating tasks (booking or assisting appointments) and the power dynamic this creates being harmful to the working relationship within the peer role. I plan to stop utilizing our Peer Support workers in this way.”
The Story Behind SubstanceU
SubstanceU was founded by Lindsay Civiero, Canadian Certified Peer Support Specialist and Lived Experience Educator. With a background in Addictions and Mental Health from George Brown College, her lived experience with mental health, addiction, trauma, suicide loss and recovery sparked a passion in her to providing the same support to others that she received on her recovery journey.
As a Peer Support specialist, Lindsay focuses on recovery and prevention education, empowerment, skills and support for those in pursuit of greater wellness. Lindsay has designed and delivered courses for the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and for hospital in-patient treatment centres.
After witnessing remarkable improvement in mental health outcomes as a result of her positive connection with others, Lindsay set out on a mission to increase awareness about the power of Peer Support as an invaluable clinical resource. This advocacy for the promotion and protection of Peer Support led to development of SubstanceU’s clinical courses and workshops, and created opportunities for Lindsay to speak on panels and podcasts about the importance of Peer Support in recovery.
SubstanceU 