Peer Support Specialist

Especialista en Apoyo entre Pares

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
EnglishPeer Support Specialist
Spanish (Español) Especialista en Apoyo entre Pares
Chinese (中文) 同伴支持专家
Korean (한국어) 동료 지원 전문가
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Chuyên gia Hỗ trợ Đồng đẳng
Filipino (Tagalog) Espesyalista sa Peer Support
Portuguese (Português) Especialista em Apoio entre Pares
Thai (ภาษาไทย) ผู้เชี่ยวชาญสนับสนุนเพื่อน
Japanese (日本語) ピアサポートスペシャリスト

What it means

A peer support specialist is a certified professional with personal lived experience of a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or serious illness who uses that experience to help others navigate recovery. They provide emotional support, share coping strategies, and connect people to community resources. Many states have formal certification requirements. Peer support specialists are employed by behavioral health clinics, hospitals, and community organizations. Under mental health parity laws, peer support services provided by certified specialists may be covered by insurance the same way as other behavioral health visits.

How to say it

Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:

peer suh-PORT SPEH-shuh-list

especialista en apoyo entre pares

Also called 'peer recovery coach' or 'certified peer specialist'

También llamado 'entrenador de recuperación entre pares' o 'especialista certificado entre pares'

You may hear: 'Your peer specialist can meet with you this week'

'Su especialista de pares puede reunirse con usted esta semana'

Where you'll see it

Behavioral health treatment plansSubstance use disorder discharge plansCommunity mental health center intake formsInsurance benefit summaries

Related terms

Sources

US Glossary Español A–Z US Codes United States

Last reviewed: September 2026