Peer Wellness Specialist Training
***Applications are closed, starting Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.***
Cascadia Health has a new OHA-approved, 85-hour training program to certify people as Peer Wellness Specialists.
Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges and want to support others in finding a path of recovery, change, and empowerment? You could have what it takes to become a PWS and encourage others on their journey.
The next training session will take place over the course of five weeks, meeting two days a week. Attendance is required to all sessions, which will be held in-person at Cascadia’s Plaza Health Center, 2415 SE 43rd Avenue, Portland, OR.
Fall Training Session Dates:
- September 22 & 23, Monday and Tuesday, 9:30am-5:30pm
- September 29 & 30, Monday and Tuesday, 9:30am-5:30pm
- October 6 & 7, Monday and Tuesday, 9:30am-5:30pm
- October 15 & 16, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30am-5:30pm
- October 20 & 21, Monday and Tuesday, 9:30am-5:30pm
To sign up for updates, visit this interest form.
Who the training is for:
Do you have lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use issues, and/or other addictions, and want to help others? Do you find fulfillment in working with others, sharing support, and encouraging people to live the life they want? If so, you may want to consider becoming a Peer Provider.
Peer providers have had their own struggles with mental health or addictions, and we use our lived experience to support other people. As people who have “been there,” we possess a personal understanding of the recovery journey and have a commitment to our own wellness and self-care. From this starting point, we learn skills and practices that create pathways for others to choose their own recovery journey.
Questions?
Email peer.trainings@cascadiahealth.org for more information. Please read our FAQs first. We will announce the training dates once confirmed.