Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Course
Become a Certified Peer Specialist by mastering foundational peer support skills that center on empathy, recovery principles, and lived experience.
Course Details
This comprehensive 75-hour training is the foundation for becoming a Certified Peer Specialist in Pennsylvania. It blends theoretical knowledge, practical tools, and lived experience to prepare participants for a meaningful career supporting others in recovery.
What You'll Learn
- Core values of recovery and peer support
- SAMHSA’s Core Competencies of Peer Support
- Trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing
- Ethical boundaries, documentation, and mandated reporting
- Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP® Seminar I)
- Effective communication and relationship-building strategies
What’s Included?
- Live and self-paced sessions
- Active participation with facilitators and peers
- Preparation for state certification exams
Who Should Attend?
- Individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges
- Anyone interested in becoming a certified peer support professional
Format
- Duration: 75 hours
- Delivery: In-person or online
- Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania or Online via Zoom
Explore Mental Health Courses Designed for Real-World Impact
From peer certification to trauma-informed care, our training library equips individuals, families, and professionals with tools to lead, support, and advocate in mental health spaces. Whether you're new to the field or deepening your expertise, there's a course for every stage of the journey.
The Institute @ MHP: Recovery Through Specialized Training
At the Institute@MHP, we are committed to fostering recovery-oriented practices by offering training programs designed and facilitated by individuals with lived experience. As Pennsylvania's leading provider, our Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) training meets the standards of Mental Health America under the MHA National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) Certification. Explore our comprehensive courses and join a community dedicated to transformative peer support.
Peer Specialist Training
Success! Your Message Has Been Received!
Thank you for reaching out! David has received your inquiry and will be in touch soon. If you need to contact David immediately, contact him via text or by phone.
Meet the Experts Shaping Peer Support and Mental Health Education
Our Board of Directors brings a wealth of expertise, compassion, and leadership to Mental Health Partnerships. United by a shared belief in the power of recovery and peer-driven support, they guide our mission, ensure strategic growth, and advocate for a future where mental health is understood, respected, and accessible to all.
Leigh Braden
Division Director, The Institute@MHP
Division Director of the Institute@MHP with expertise in training, nonprofit leadership, and mental health program expansion.
Patrick Montgomery
Program Manager, The Institute@MHP
Program Manager for the Institute, combining teaching and social work to deliver impactful peer support training.
Daniel Miller, CPS, MPA
Business Manager, Institute@MHP
Business Manager at Institute@MHP with over 12 years of mental health experience, Daniel Miller champions the expansion of CPS Training across Pennsylvania while building strategic partnerships to enhance recovery support.
Andrea Boffice
Facilitator and Content Development Specialist, The Institute@MHP
Facilitator and content specialist focused on youth peer support and cross-generational mental health advocacy.
Lydia Cooper
Program Manager for Family Training and Education, The Institute@MHP
Program Manager for Family Training with 38 years of social service experience and expertise in trauma-informed caregiving education.
Mon Ocampo
Bilingual Learning and Development Specialist, The Institute@MHP
Bilingual Learning & Development Specialist dedicated to uplifting Latine communities and improving recovery systems access.
Ed Drago, CPS
Advanced-Level WRAP Facilitator
Advanced-Level WRAP Facilitator and Learning & Development Specialist, Ed Drago leverages over 25 years of expertise in human and professional services to empower diverse communities through peer support and mindfulness-based strategies.
Jokabel Del Villar
Learning and Development Specialist, The Institute@MHP
Learning & Development Specialist with experience in juvenile justice, youth advocacy, and organizational leadership.
Hannah Spittle
Bilingual Learning and Development Specialist, The Institute@MHP
Bilingual Learning & Development Specialist with a passion for community education and Spanish-language CPS training.
James Klasen
Learning and Development Specialist, The Institute@MHP
Learning & Development Specialist and Advanced WRAP Facilitator with a background in workforce development and peer support.
Sarah Byerley, BA
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant ensuring smooth daily operations at MHP, providing essential support to advance the organization’s mission of fostering recovery and mental well-being.
Comprehensive Support for Every Step of Recovery
Mental Health Partnerships (MHP) offers a broad range of peer-driven services—from Recovery Learning Centers and Mobile Peer Support to Case Management, Homeless Outreach, Advocacy, and more. Each program is designed to meet you where you are, providing personalized care and community-based solutions to help you thrive on your path to mental wellbeing.
Real Stories of Hope and Recovery
We’re here to champion every journey to wellness, offering unwavering support and transformational advocacy. Together, we foster resilience and recovery—so everyone can thrive and live their fullest life in the community, free from barriers to mental health care.
"I'm so grateful for the community that's here and the people that I get to work with in a way that they inspire me every day."
"Every experience I've had with MHP thus far has been great, from the training to being able to get support, a community, sponsorships to go places I never thought I'd go."
"MHP has given me so much, I want to give back."
"Give you your own purpose, you know, just like doing something more. Just a good feeling for me. Now I can be productive."
"MHP has a long history of being a really trusted and reliable resource for peer specialists.
So these experiences already live within your walls."
"The incredible empowerment and the impact that peers have in the field of mental health."
"There's something really, really powerful that happens when you're connecting with someone who's sitting across from you and says, you know, I see you and I hear you. Because I've been there."
"...and just that little click. Wow, it's so powerful just to have somebody who understands exactly how you feel, because we can sympathize all day, but to have somebody else in the room with me, to say, I've done it too, I've experienced that too, allows for a bond that goes beyond words."
"That opened me up to talk to other people so I could coach them and have them get the aha moment again. I did it and I'm glad that I got into new ways of thinking."
"I'm able to be helpful just to know that, like, all that hard work I put through actually paid off."
"And I hope that everybody would get the opportunity to connect with that organization"
"At Mental Health Partnerships. Together..."
"Together..."
"Together..."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"We build hope."
"We build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Together...we build hope."
"Period!"
Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities
From peer-led recovery programs to statewide advocacy and education, our work touches thousands of lives every year. These numbers reflect our deep commitment to accessible, compassionate, and person-centered mental health support across Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
8,480
individuals and families served
34
active programs across the region
1,106
Peer Specialists trained each year
5,801
people supported through direct services
3000+
individuals reached monthly through homeless outreach
1,573
engaged in community advocacy
Guiding Principles for Empowerment and Growth
At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast commitment to core values that shape every aspect of our work. These values—rooted in hope, empowerment, and respect—guide us in fostering environments where individuals can thrive, exercise self-determination, and pursue lifelong learning. By embracing a holistic, non-judgmental, and culturally aware approach, we empower individuals to achieve their full potential and contribute to their communities.
Real Stories of Hope & Gratitude
Hear directly from individuals whose lives have been touched by our programs and services. Whether it’s case management, family support, or peer-led guidance, these stories showcase the power of compassionate care and unwavering belief in every person’s potential for recovery and growth.
Together, We Build Hope
At Mental Health Partnerships, we are dedicated to fostering hope and resilience. Our mission is to create a supportive environment where individuals can regain control of their mental health and live fulfilling lives. We offer personalized care that aligns with your unique needs and helps you connect with a community that cares.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
At MHP, we understand that the journey to mental wellness can feel overwhelming. With peer-led support, proven resources, and a warm, caring community, we’re here to guide you through every step—so you never have to walk this path alone.