Peer Support Specialists - Career Pathways
What is a Peer Support Specialist?
Certified Peer Support Specialists are essential members of teams dedicated to assisting individuals facing behavioral health challenges, such as mental health issues and substance misuse. Peers draw from their own lived experiences with behavioral health struggles -and- on formal training in Peer Support to support others. Certified Peer Support Specialists are valued for their ability to connect and empathize deeply, de-escalate crisis situations effectively, and support individuals on their recovery pathways. Peer Support Specialists serve as positive examples and their work is deeply appreciated by both the individuals they support and their teammates.
Peer Support Specialists - Roles and Settings
Certified Peer Support Specialists work in a wide range of settings which include:
- Peer support agencies
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Community health centers and primary care provider offices
- Mobile crisis teams
- Crisis support call centers
- Hospitals and inpatient mental health programs
- Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs
- Supportive housing providers
- Community support organizations
Certified Peer Support Specialists are valued members of their teams and work alongside team members
- ...To respond to individuals’ needs and support their self-care, wellness, and recovery
- ...To help individuals navigate challenges and set their own goals
- ...To prepare individuals for upcoming appointments, advocating for them in a manner that promotes recovery and resilience
- ...To help lead individual and group meetings by drawing upon personal lived experience and empathy to connect with individuals and their current situations
- ...To support individuals and their loved ones during and following mental health crises
- ...To connect with individuals frequently to support their recovery and resilience
- ...To help individuals identify and access community services and supports
- ...To help individuals remain in the community, avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and negative interactions with law enforcement
Preparing for a Peer Specialist Role
Some Peer Support Specialists complete their training and certification in NH before seeking a Peer Specialist role with an employer. Others may secure a job first and then complete the necessary training, which allows them to work while fulfilling their coursework while receiving pay and benefits.
Employers often require a high school diploma or equivalent. For individuals needing to fulfill the high school equivalency prerequisite, please refer to the NH High School Equivalency (HiSET) program, which was formerly called GED: https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-career-development/office-adult-education/nh-high-school-equivalency-testing
How can I train and earn certification?
Required Training for NH State Certification
To earn your Peer Support Certification in NH, you must complete the 'Introduction to Peer Support' course along with 9 Community of Practice sessions. Both components are funded by grants and are currently available for free to those pursuing a behavioral health role in NH.
This introductory course was co-designed with NH Peer Support Specialists and Peer Supervisors and covers the SAMHSA core competencies for Peer Support Specialists. The course is offered online by several rural NH Community Colleges, including Lakes Region Community College, River Valley Community College, and White Mountain Community College.
Accompanying the course is a Community of Practice that meets virtually each week for 9 weeks to discuss course content and apply peer support specialist training to real-world situations.
Students can complete both the online course and Community of Practice in approximately 9-10 weeks. Those who successfully finish all course modules, which include built-in assessments, and participate in Community of Practice sessions will be eligible to receive a formal Certification from the State of NH, along with the title ‘Certified Peer Support Specialist!’ Certification can be added to your resume and increases your value in the workforce and the number of job roles available to you.
If you are interested in enrolling in the next NH Certified Peer Support course, please provide us with your contact information below and we will email you. Please check your email 'spam' filter to be sure our emails are making it to you.
NH Certified Peer Support Specialist online course
Where can I find my next job?
The following organizations currently employ Certified Peer Support Specialists in NH, and each provides a role description for their open positions through their website. Provider organizations, please contact us to add your organization and contact information to this listing.
Roles with Community Mental Health Centers
Community Mental Health Centers play a vital role in addressing the behavioral health needs of individuals in crisis, as well as supporting adults with severe mental illness, children and adolescents facing serious emotional disturbances, and individuals grappling with substance misuse challenges. In New Hampshire, there are 10 Community Mental Health Centers, all of which include Certified Peer Support Specialists on their teams. Links to the 10 Centers and their Job Posting sites are provided below.
- Our friends at the NH Behavioral Health Association offer more insight into the services that all Community Mental Health Centers provide: https://nhcbha.org
- Center for Life Management (Derry, Hampstead, Salem): https://www.centerforlifemanagement.org/careers
- Community Partners (Dover, Rochester): https://communitypartnersnh.org/careers/
- Greater Nashua Mental Health Center (Nashua): https://gnmhc.org/careers/
- Lakes Region Mental Health Center (Laconia, Plymouth): https://www.lrmhc.org/careers/
- Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (Manchester): https://www.mhcgm.org/jobs-internships/
- Monadnock Family Services (Keene, Peterborough, Jaffrey, Winchester): https://www.mfs.org/careers/
- Northern Human Services (Berlin, Colebrook, Conway, Groveton, Littleton, Tamworth, Whitefield, Wolfeboro, Woodsville): https://northernhs.org/employment/
- Riverbend Community Mental Health (Concord): https://www.riverbendcmhc.org/careers-working-at-riverbend/
- Seacoast Mental Health Center (Exeter, Portsmouth): https://smhc-nh.org/careers/
- West Central Behavioral Health (Lebanon, Claremont): https://www.wcbh.org/careers-2/
Roles with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NH
In their own words, "NAMI New Hampshire is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all by providing essential support, education, and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide. With a network of affiliate chapters and support groups, staff, and volunteers, NAMI NH offers valuable information and education to families and communities impacted by mental health challenges. Through our comprehensive support and education networks we provide opportunities for individuals to share their experiences in a safe and comfortable setting, promoting hope and healing. Together, we are committed to building a better tomorrow for our loved ones and ourselves as we strive for understanding and recovery."
- NAMI NH (Multiple Locations in NH): Website: https://www.naminh.org/employment/
Roles with Peer Support Agencies
Peer Support Agencies play a vital role in addressing the behavioral health needs of individuals through a peer-driven model. Across the state, numerous Peer Support Agencies are available, each staffed with Certified Peer Support Specialists. Below, you will find links to these centers along with their contact details.
For additional information regarding the services offered by Peer Support Agencies, including insightful videos about their programs, our friends at the NH Department of Health and Human Services have provided resources here: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care/mental-health/peer-support-agencies
- The Alternative Life Center (Conway): Tel: (603) 575-5419 E-Mail: alcjodicollins@gmail.com
- Connections Peer Support Center (Portsmouth): Tel: (603) 427-6966 Website: www.connectionspeersupport.org Email: info@connectionspeersupport.org
- The Haven (Colebrook): Tel: (603) 215-6404 E-Mail: colebrookhaven@gmail.com
- HEARTS Peer Support Center of Greater Nashua (Nashua): Tel: (603) 882-8400 Website: https://hearts-psa.org/
- Infinity Peer Support (Rochester): Tel: (603) 948-1043 Website: www.infinitypeersupport.org Email: info@infinitypeersupport.org
- Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board “Concord Peer Support Site” (Concord): Tel: (603) 224-0894 Website: https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/ E-Mail: ccornerbridge@comcast.net
- Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board “CornerBridge” (Laconia): Tel: (603) 528-7742 Website: https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/cornerbridge Email: cornerbridge@comcast.net
- Littleton Peer Support (Littleton): Tel: (603) 575-5419
- Monadnock Peer Support Agency (Keene): Tel: (603) 352-5093 Website: www.monadnockpsa.org
- Next Step (Lebanon): Tel: (603) 448-6941
- On The Road To Wellness (Derry): Tel: (603) 552-3177 Website: www.otrtw.org E-Mail: Derry@otrtw.org
- On The Road To Wellness (Manchester): Tel: (603) 623-4523 Website: www.otrtw.org E-Mail: manchester@otrtw.org
- On the Road to Wellness - Step-Up Step-Down (Manchester): Tel: (603) 232-6250 Website: www.otrtw.org E-Mail: susd@otrtw.org
- Plymouth Area Pemi Valley Outreach (Plymouth): Tel: (603) 412-7050 Website: https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/
- Serenity Steps (Berlin): Tel: (603) 752-8111 E-Mail: serenitystepspsc@gmail.com
- The Stepping Stone (Claremont): Tel: (603) 543-1388 Website: www.steppingstonenextstep.org Email: info@steppingstonenextstep.org
Roles with Hospitals, in Primary Care, and in Partial Hospitalization Programs
Hospitals and Partial Hospitalization programs are essential in supporting individuals who require intensive assistance as they navigate crises, achieve stability, and transition back to their communities. Numerous organizations advocate for these types of programs, with some actively incorporating Peer Support Specialists into their teams. (Note, we hope to expand this list as we discover more organizations that support Peer Support roles, including those that embrace the concepts of hearts peer support.)
- New Hampshire Hospital (Inpatient Hospital, Concord): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/locations-facilities/new-hampshire-hospital or email NHHRecruiting@dhhs.nh.gov or call 603-271-5855
- Glencliff Home (Glencliff): Phone: 603-989-3111, ext. 1504 Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/locations-facilities/glencliff-home
- Hampstead Hospital (Inpatient Hospital, Hampstead): https://www.dartmouth-health.org/hampstead
- Dartmouth Health (Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Primary Care, Lebanon, Keene, Nashua, Manchester, Concord): https://careers.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/
General Job Search
For a general job search, job posting sites like www.Indeed.com can be valuable resources. You can use the search term "peer specialist" to find open positions.
What’s Next on My Career Pathway?
Once established as part of a team, a wide range of professional growth opportunities are open to Certified Peer Support Specialists. Here are some career advancement pathways that will help you evolve and grow in your own personal journey.
Explore different settings:
Healthcare workers of all types usually gravitate over time toward settings that are best matched to their skills, interests, passion, and life situation. With the increasing demand for Certified Peer Support Specialists, there are growth opportunities in areas such as peer support agencies, community mental health centers, and primary care offices. A good way to explore a new setting is to connect with a colleague who holds a position you find intriguing and conduct an informational interview.
Explore other roles on the Behavioral Health Team and beyond:
Certified Peer Support Specialists collaborate with all members of the behavioral health team and have a first-hand opportunity every day to see other roles in action. Each role has its own pathway, prerequisites, education, training, certification, and compensation levels to consider.
Shore up academic credentials for current role and for the long career arc:
While Certified Peer Support Specialist roles rely upon lived experience as the primary job asset, pursuing additional education and credentials in NH can enhance your qualifications and value to provider organizations and those they serve. New Hampshire’s wealth of colleges and universities offer Certificate, Associates, Bachelor’s, and Masters degree programs in social work, rehabilitation, psychology, education, and other human services fields. These programs can further prepare you for your current and future roles, contributing to overall career advancement.
Financial Disclosure
Content creation and updates for the NH Certified Peer Support Specialist web page are currently supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $399,917.00 annually, with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources from September 1, 2025 - August 30, 2029. The contents reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
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