In a world upended by isolation, trauma, and mental health crises, one question demands urgent attention: how do we restore connection when face-to-face care is no longer possible? Peer support—grounded in lived experience and mutual respect—has become a lifeline, and its transformation through telemental health is not just an adaptation but a revolution in care.
Now more than ever, clinicians must understand how peer specialists are transforming behavioral health through telemental health—breaking through loneliness, rebuilding trust, and offering hope when it’s needed most.
Patrick Hendry, NCPS, brings decades of experience to this critical topic as Vice President of Peer Advocacy, Supports and Services for Mental Health America. A nationally respected leader and innovator, Patrick has shaped the peer support field with compassion, lived experience, and groundbreaking leadership in national peer certification standards. His personal and professional journey deeply informs his understanding of how peer support can drive recovery and inclusion—even at a distance.
In this one-hour, self-paced course, Patrick invites learners into a powerful conversation about the evolution of peer support in a time of extraordinary challenge. Through firsthand insights, real-world examples, and a research-informed approach, learners will gain a deeper understanding of how peer support continues to thrive in digital spaces while staying grounded in person-centered values.
Topics explored in this course include the historical foundations of the peer movement, the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery, the emergence of digital and hybrid peer support models, the role of certified peer specialists, the dangers of "peer-bots," and strategies for maintaining relational trust in virtual care. Participants will also learn how peer support mitigates isolation, reduces re-hospitalization, and empowers self-management through accessible, scalable digital interventions.
Key Takeaways:
Gain insight into innovative strategies: Learn how peer specialists are overcoming barriers in telemental health to offer meaningful support and engagement.
Bridge traditional and digital care: Discover how digital peer support compares to face-to-face methods and what makes each uniquely impactful.
Enhance clinical collaboration: Understand how peer support strengthens behavioral health systems and improves outcomes for individuals with complex needs.
Why This Course?
Critical relevance: This course speaks directly to the post-pandemic realities clinicians are navigating now—rising need, stretched systems, and the promise of scalable, human-centered care.
Exceptional expertise: Learn from a pioneer in peer support who not only shaped national standards but continues to lead innovation in service delivery models.
Mission-driven learning: Offered by Telehealth Certification Institute, whose mission is to equip clinicians with transformative education that empowers healing at scale.
Learning Objectives:
The future of peer support is here—and it's deeply relational, digitally delivered, and powerfully effective. This course offers the insight you need to better serve, connect, and collaborate in a rapidly evolving landscape. Let it inspire and equip you for the work ahead.
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This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 1 hour of video instruction and a post-test.
Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to Attend: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
Patrick Hendry, NCPS
Patrick Hendry is the Vice President of Peer Advocacy, Supports and Services for Mental Health America (MHA). He has experienced life with a psychiatric diagnosis both personally and as a parent of a child with lived experience. Patrick provides national advocacy and develops new services and training for peers within the behavioral health system. Throughout his work, he has focused on human rights, social inclusion, peer support and peer-provided services, and peer-run organizational development. Patrick has led MHA’s development of the first advanced level national peer support certification, which maintains the highest standards of skills, education, and training in the nation. He is the recipient of MHA’s Clifford Beers award, SAMHSA’s Voice award for peer leadership, and The National Council for Behavioral Health’s Inspiring Hope, Reintegration Lifetime Achievement award. Patrick has worked in behavioral health for 29 years and continues to be passionate about his work and the inclusion of peers/consumers throughout the system.
Disclosure Statement: The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 1 continuing education hour of credit.
Counselors:
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Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.
Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.
Social Workers:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 clinical continuing education credit.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.
Addiction Professionals:
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This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Psychologists:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.
Other Professionals: This course qualifies for 60 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course.
