Intentional Peer Support (IPS):

Intentional Peer Support (IPS) is a groundbreaking approach that forms the core foundation of FolkTime. Developed by Shery Mead and Chris Hansen, IPS is a transformative practice that emphasizes authentic human connections, reciprocity, and mutual learning among individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges. IPS goes beyond traditional support models by fostering meaningful relationships that promote personal growth, empowerment, and mutual healing.

Building the Foundation of FolkTime

The Importance of IPS to FolkTime: FolkTime embraces the principles and practices of IPS as a cornerstone of its work in building trauma-competent systems and organizations. IPS forms the foundation for establishing genuine peer relationships, fostering empowerment, and promoting recovery-oriented approaches.

Through IPS, FolkTime:

Creates a Supportive Community: IPS allows individuals to come together in a safe and non-judgmental environment, fostering a sense of belonging, connection, and support. FolkTime utilizes IPS to build a community that values lived experiences and encourages peer-to-peer connections.
Enhances Personal Growth and Recovery: By utilizing IPS principles, FolkTime supports individuals in exploring their experiences, uncovering strengths, and developing personal resilience. IPS helps individuals to take an active role in their recovery journeys and find their unique pathways to well-being.
Promotes Trauma-Informed Care: IPS aligns with trauma-informed principles, recognizing the impact of trauma on individuals' lives. It creates spaces where individuals can feel heard, validated, and supported without retraumatization. IPS supports trauma-informed practices within FolkTime and in the broader community.
Fosters Peer Support Specialist Development: IPS provides the framework for training Peer Support Specialists at FolkTime. It equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to offer intentional peer support, empowering them to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Advocates for Systemic Change: By incorporating IPS into its work, FolkTime advocates for a paradigm shift in mental health systems, challenging traditional hierarchical models and promoting the inclusion of peer support as an essential component of care. IPS helps drive the transformation towards more person-centered, equitable, and trauma-competent systems.

The Power of IPS

Helping to Learning

Shifts the focus from "fixing" problems to exploring and understanding the meaning behind individuals' experiences. By engaging in reflective conversations, IPS supports individuals in finding their own pathways to growth and recovery.

Individual to Relationship

The transformative power of meaningful connections. It recognizes that healing and growth occur within the context of relationships, and the quality of those relationships profoundly impacts individuals' well-being. IPS prioritizes building authentic and trusting relationships where individuals feel understood, validated, and supported.

Fear to Hope

This principle promotes a shift from fear-based approaches to approaches grounded in hope, possibility, and resilience. IPS helps individuals move beyond the limitations imposed by fear, supporting them in envisioning a future that is hopeful, purposeful, and filled with opportunities for growth and well-being.

Connection

Creating authentic relationships based on trust, empathy, and shared understanding. Listening to others, building rapport, and fostering a sense of belonging and safety. Through genuine connections, individuals can feel seen, heard, and supported, leading to meaningful personal growth and transformation.

Worldview

Examining our personal worldviews and assumptions, as well as the cultural and societal norms that influence their perspectives. This task involves exploring how our beliefs, values, and biases impact our interactions and the ways in which we perceive and understand others. By challenging ingrained worldviews, individuals can develop greater empathy, cultural sensitivity, and openness to diverse experiences.

Mutuality

Recognizing the equal value and contribution of both the peer supporter and the individual seeking support. It involves embracing a collaborative approach where both parties learn from each other, share power, and contribute to the growth and healing process. Mutuality promotes a sense of shared responsibility, empowerment, and the belief that everyone has wisdom and knowledge to offer.

Moving Towards

A shared vision of growth, well-being, and recovery. It involves supporting individuals in exploring possibilities, setting goals, and taking steps towards change. A dynamic process and focuses on supporting individuals in identifying and pursuing their own meaningful paths to well-being.

Transformative Relationships

By engaging in these tasks and principles of IPS, individuals and peer supporters can create transformative relationships, challenge limiting beliefs, and cultivate a sense of empowerment, hope, and possibility. IPS provides a framework for fostering personal growth, promoting mutual learning, and building communities that embrace the strengths and resilience of every individual.

With Intentional Peer Support as its guiding philosophy, FolkTime is committed to creating environments where individuals can find understanding, connection, and hope. Through IPS, FolkTime strives to empower individuals, challenge stigma, and contribute to the larger movement of peer support and recovery-oriented care.

Intentional Peer Support (IPS):

Building the Foundation of FolkTime

The Power of IPS

Helping to Learning

Individual to Relationship

Fear to Hope

Connection

Worldview

Mutuality

Moving Towards

Transformative Relationships

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Intentional Peer Support (IPS):

​Building the Foundation of FolkTime

The Power of IPS

Helping to Learning

Individual to Relationship

Fear to Hope

Connection

Worldview

Mutuality

Moving Towards

Transformative Relationships

Building the Foundation of FolkTime