From inception to impact: The evolution of peer coaching in Indiana 

“I just never thought it was in the cards for me … I always thought I would die from my addiction.” 

James Wiseman, 41, has been using peer recovery services for five years. Like many others, Wiseman never thought he would be able to get his life back to what it was before addiction. Through the work of certified peer recovery coaches, he has been sober and wants to become a peer coach himself. 

In Indiana, peer coaching has become a lifeline for countless individuals navigating mental health, thanks in large part to the pioneering efforts of Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI). Rooted in empathy and shared experience, peer coaching has transformed from an idea into a powerful force for healing and recovery.  

As the state continues to embrace this compassionate approach, the future holds the promise of deeper connections, renewed hope and a stronger community committed to mental health advocacy and support.  

Historically, substance abuse services have been given by people in recovery, according to Justin Beattey, vice president of education and credentialing for MHAI. 

“There’s always been a peer aspect of talking with someone with lived experiences … Peers have been around since the beginning of time,” Beattey said. 

Indiana’s history in peer coaching stems from the very beginning, when people started recognizing that just because you have a shared experience doesn’t necessarily mean that you can provide recovery services. 

“Indiana has been involved in substance use treatment and recovery since it really started being professionalized,” Beattey said. 

Throughout the 90s and 2000s, there was a professionalization and shift to require credentialing in peer recovery coaches, but there were little benefits for those who were trained, and much of the training was centered around mental health issues rather than addiction recovery. 

“The peer workforce wasn’t built up the way it needed to be. They were paid very low wages,” Beattey said. 

As peer recovery coaching gained traction, curriculums for behavioral health training were brought to Indiana and have expanded in the years past. MHAI, along with their partners and supporting organizations, have been at the forefront of peer recovery coaching and continue to look towards the future. 

From grants to expand the workforce to establishing peer coaches in underserved communities, MHAI has worked alongside the state to ensure that peer recovery coaches have a place in the workforce and that every Hoosier has access to the support they need. 

“I can be there for my family. I can be there for me. I have a place now in the world,” Wiseman said. 

For more information about MHAI, visit mhai.net. 

Peer coaching has always been a method of support. Like-minded individuals speaking about shared experiences. Addiction counseling began based on peer-to-peer support and shared experiences. Here’s a timeline covering how the process has evolved over the years. 

• Early 20th Century: Mental Health America was founded by Clifford W. Beers, William James and Adolf Meyer. 

• 1970s: Professionalization of addiction counseling began when academia stepped in to require coursework and other more professionalized expectations. 

• 1973: Indiana Counselors Association on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (ICAADA), a subsidiary of MHAI, was founded to provide credentials for addiction counselors. 

• 1981: ICAADA was one of three founding members of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium. 

• 1990s: Fracturing in certifications began and the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency became the center of substance use treatment licensing. 

• 1990s: Peer services in mental health gained traction. 

• Late 2000s: Faith-based groups sought help to train and establish peer-based behavioral health coaching. 

• 2000s: Stan DeKemper’s consulting agency, Synergy, receives a grant to train community members to be peer recovery coaches  

• 2000s: Connecticut curriculum for recovery coaching training was brought to Indiana faith-based organizations. 

• 2015: MHAI receives SAMHSA Building Communities of Recovery Grant and training became popularized because it was low-cost. 

•  2018-2019: Indiana Association of Peer Recovery Support Services creates a state-level advisory board to provide suggestions to state for recovery coaching careers. 

• 2020s: Workforce development and Medicaid reimbursement allows more people in Indiana to receive support; MHAI is certified by the Department of Labor for their peer coaching certifications. 

• 2024: MHAI announces the Behavioral Health Cultural Equity Grants to provide peer recovery coach training for Burmese and Haitian populations in Indiana. 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.