Gunnison Valley Health Peer Support Specialist Barbara Marks Receives Certification
Posted on Aug 14, 2020 2:35pm PDT
On August 14, 2020 Gunnison Valley Health employee Barbara Marks received
her Peer Support Specialist certification through the Colorado Mental
Wellness Network. The three week course included a 73-hour training including
daily role plays and the completion of several projects and presentations.
Barbara, who has been an employee at Gunnison Valley Health for six months
serves in the unique position of providing support to individuals who
have substance use disorders and/or mental health issues in the community
and the Emergency Department.
Regarding her recent certification, Barbara stated “I loved completing
this certification and got so much out of the course. I learned the importance
of asking open ended questions and staying in the moment with my clients.
I always strive to let me clients know that I am there for them. This
is not about me—it is about being there for the client and helping
them work though realistic solutions to their challenges.”
Barbara has also been spending time in recent months with the residents
of the Senior Care Center. “I love spending time with the SCC residents.
My goal is always to make them smile and let them know that there is someone
who cares about them.” She added, “It was very rewarding to
see the big smiles