Michelle Laga is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Peer Specialist at Wisconsin Community Services in Milwaukee. She received her Master’s of Art Therapy at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee in 2013. Michelle offers clinical supervision, support and coordination to several community based peer support programs at WCS. Michelle identifies as a person in long term recovery from substance use and mental health. She celebrated 12 years of continuous sobriety this year. Michelle identifies as a person with a disability and a member of the LGTBQIA+ community. Her pronouns are she/her/hers. Michelle’s interests include traveling, spending time with family and friends, caring for her dog Watson, painting, playing video games and watching sci-fi TV.
Melissa Heath is a Certified Peer Specialist and a Peer Specialist Program Coordinator at Wisconsin Community Services in Milwaukee. She is currently enrolled at the University of Milwaukee to get her bachelor’s degree in Community Engagement and Education. Melissa offers supervision for the supportive housing care coordinators and peer specialist along with supervision for the CCS peer specialist. Melissa identifies as a person in recovery from substance use and mental health. Melissa’s interests include exercising, reading, and spending time with her children and family. Melissa utilizes her own experience with mental health and substance use to help support others on their own journey to recovery.
Learn the definitions and types of crises that will be described. Techniques and methods to manage crisis situations with peers will also be outlined and discussed.
Effective and appropriate use of self-disclosure will be discussed in detail. The benefits and risks of self-disclosure will also be outlined.
Review and analyzing of the WI CPS Code of Ethics will be completed. There will be a discussion of different ethical situations and boundary guidelines and/or violations as well.