Group Facilitation-July 19-21, 2021

Training Location: Zoom Meeting

Webcam and audio are required for participation.

This virtual training is being sponsored by HHSC Peer and Recovery Services Programs. Peer Specialists have priority for this training.

Via Hope developed Group Facilitation: A Peer-Based Approach to train people who currently facilitate peer-led groups or those who would like to facilitate peer-led groups. This training uses healing-centered group facilitation techniques and aims to help people build and refine their skills as a facilitator through reflection, practice, and relationship-building.

Although Via Hope has many programs that focus on the mental health peer workforce, Group Facilitation: A Peer-Based Approach is appropriate for anyone doing (or interested in) leading peer support groups where they have shared lived experience with the participants in the group. As long as they have shared lived experience, eligible participants can work in a variety of fields: adult and children’s mental health, substance use, primary medical care, veteran’s support, family support (including parental mental health), etc.

A person is eligible to attend the Group Facilitation: A Peer-Based Approach training if they:

1. Currently facilitate peer-led nonclinical groups or plan to begin facilitating peer-led nonclinical groups after the training; and

2. Openly identify as having shared lived experience with the group members (i.e. they are facilitating groups in the capacity of a “peer”).

This three-day virtual day training provides participants with information and opportunity to practice around the core components of effective group facilitation: preparation, facilitation, and debriefing/feedback. Throughout the training, many of the activities used to build concrete knowledge and skills are also tools that facilitators can use in their own groups.

This virtual training provides 12 hours of Continuing Education Credits for the following licenses: Psychologist, Professional Counselor, Psychological Associate, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapist, Chemical Dependency Counselor, Peer Specialist, Supported Employment Specialist and Certified Family Partner. Upon successful completion of this virtual training, you will earn a certificate of completion and (if applicable) continuing education credit.