Training Recovery Support Paraprofessionals through a Behavioural Health Internship
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| Title: | Training Recovery Support Paraprofessionals through a Behavioural Health Internship |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Melissa Zeligman, Gulnora Hundley, Amanda DiLorenzo-Garcia, Heather M. Summers, K. Dayle Jones |
| Source: | British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. 2025 53(6):858-869. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Undergraduate Students, Internship Programs, Drug Rehabilitation, Allied Health Personnel, Paraprofessional Personnel, Mental Health, Access to Health Care, Cultural Awareness, Allied Health Occupations Education, Advocacy |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03069885.2024.2449021 |
| ISSN: | 0306-9885 1469-3534 |
| Abstract: | As the need for global mental health support grows, there is simultaneously a shortage of behavioural health professionals. This shortage creates a treatment gap in behavioural healthcare, calling for paraprofessionals, such as recovery support paraprofessionals (RSPs), to take on more mental health responsibilities to increase access to care. Despite these growing demands, training opportunities for RSPs remain limited. This study presents a substance use internship program focused on training undergraduate students (N = 19) to serve as RSPs. Comparing pre-and post- internship assessment scores through paired sample's t-tests showed that participants had significantly increased cultural awareness following the internship experience. Implications for RSPs and counsellors are presented. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503992 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | As the need for global mental health support grows, there is simultaneously a shortage of behavioural health professionals. This shortage creates a treatment gap in behavioural healthcare, calling for paraprofessionals, such as recovery support paraprofessionals (RSPs), to take on more mental health responsibilities to increase access to care. Despite these growing demands, training opportunities for RSPs remain limited. This study presents a substance use internship program focused on training undergraduate students (N = 19) to serve as RSPs. Comparing pre-and post- internship assessment scores through paired sample's t-tests showed that participants had significantly increased cultural awareness following the internship experience. Implications for RSPs and counsellors are presented. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0306-9885 1469-3534 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03069885.2024.2449021 |
