Why hire a peer support person to help your child?  I'm so glad that you asked.  Here are the top  reasons why peers are so wonderful:

1.  They've been through it, so they understand.
2.  They are less likely to be judgmental.
3.  They are more skilled at being an advocate because they've actually been there and used services themselves.
4.  They can empathize, not sympathize because they've been there.
5. They often can "call you out" on your areas of sabotage faster because they've sabotaged in similar ways.
6. They are usually motivated to show that people with mental illness can work, so they work very hard.
7.  They usually have a lot of great referral sources because they've used the providers themselves, and they know what to look for in a provider.
8.  They are in this job not to make a lot of money (because believe me, they don't), but because they really care.
9.  They are passionate about what they do, because they know first hand how hard it is to struggle with these illnesses. 

Be Well!
~Emily