GPS Certification Program 2025

GPS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Achieve Mastery in GPS Group Facilitation

Welcome to the GPS Certification Program! Designed for individuals who have completed GPS Facilitator Training, this certification represents the highest standard in delivering Group Peer Support effectively to your community. Through hands-on skills sessions, real-time facilitation, personalized coaching, and curriculum development, you'll deepen your expertise and grow confidently as a group leader.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Advanced Skills Sessions: Interactive sessions led by a GPS Trainer, providing comprehensive practice of each element of the GPS model.
• Support Group Facilitation: Gain experience, first as a participant and then as a facilitator, and receive mentorship and real-time feedback from Lead Facilitators.

Advanced Opportunities for Continue Learning: Attend our continuing education sessions on advanced issues in facilitation.

• Personalized Coaching & Session Plan Development: Create customized GPS session plans for your community with detailed coaching and feedback.
• Fidelity Evaluation: Demonstrate your mastery in a final 30-minute session evaluated by a GPS Lead Facilitator.

Program Schedule

You’ll need to attend at least 5 live Skill Sessions to complete the certification process . Your Eventbrite confirmation email will contain a link to sign up for Skill Sessions.

Note: choose session dates during registration.

June 2025

• Tuesday, June 17 | 7:00–8:30 PM Mindfulness Rest Stop & Guidelines
  
• Thursday, June 19 | 7:00–8:30 PM Realities & Principles + Adaptations
  
• Tuesday, June 24 | 1:00–2:30 PM Check-In & Reflective Listening
  
• Wednesday, June 25 | 1:00–2:30 PM Grounding & Weaving + Closing
  
  

July 2025

• Tuesday, July 1 | 1:00–2:30 PM Mindfulness Rest Stop & Guidelines
  
• Thursday, July 3 | 1:00–2:30 PM Realities & Principles + Adaptations
  
• Tuesday, July 8 | 1:00–2:30 PM Check-In & Reflective Listening
  
• Thursday, July 10 | 1:00–2:30 PM Grounding & Weaving + Closing
  
• Tuesday, July 15 | 7:00–8:30 PM Q&A, Curriculum Building + Adaptations

Certification Requirements & Detailed Components:

Complete GPS Facilitator Training: Pre-requisite foundational training.

Skills Sessions:

• Attend at least five sessions (1.5 hours each, live coaching).
• Small-group mentoring sessions.
• Each skills session focuses on a different aspect of the GPS model.

Support Group Participation and Facilitation:

• Participate in at least one GPS support group as a participant.
• Facilitate at least three GPS support groups, with a minimum of two co-facilitated sessions alongside a GPS Lead Certification Coach.
• Scheduling links are provided in your welcome email.

Session Plan Submission:

• Submit four customized session plans for your target population using the official GPS Session Plan template.
• Plans can reflect past, current, or future groups.

Fidelity Evaluation:

• Successfully pass a 30-minute session demonstrating full GPS competency.
• Receive detailed feedback from our GPS Trainer with the Fidelity Evaluation Report.
• Attend additional Skills Sessions if further improvement is needed to pass.
• Certification is valid for one year upon successful completion.

Advanced Opportunities (Optional): Deepen your skills with advanced classes:

• Co-Facilitation Techniques
• GPS for special populations (Perinatal, Recovery, Healthcare Workers, etc.)
• Addressing Challenging Situations in Groups
• Keeping Everyone Safe

SCHOLARSHIP IS AVAILABLE

GPS wants to empower you to make change! Scholarship preferences are for those with lived experience, those who serve people of color, and those who can commit to running a GPS group in their community.

Apply for Scholarship HERE

Important Information to Attend

• Zoom links for Skill Sessions will be shared in your welcome email.
• You must attend at least one session by the end of Session 3 to remain enrolled.
• Sessions are offered in both afternoon and evening (Eastern Time).
• Participants who arrive more than 15 minutes late will not be permitted to join the session.
• You’ll receive a weekly reminder email with links and resources.

Certification Requirements & Detailed Components: Complete GPS Facilitator Training: Pre-requisite foundational training.

Skill Sessions:

• Attend at least 5 sessions (1.5 hours each, live coaching).
• Small-group mentoring sessions.
• Each skill session focuses on a different aspect of the GPS model.
  
  Support Group Participation and Facilitation:
• Participate in at least 1 GPS Support Group as a participant.
• Facilitate at least 3 GPS Support Groups, with a minimum of 2 co-facilitated sessions alongside a GPS Lead Certification Coach.
• Scheduling links are provided in your welcome email.
  
  Session Plan Submission:
• Submit 4 customized session plans for your target population using the official GPS Session Plan Template.
• Plans can reflect past, current, or future groups.
  
  Fidelity Evaluation:
• Successfully pass a 30-minute session demonstrating full GPS competency.
• Receive detailed feedback from our GPS Coaches with the Fidelity Evaluation Report.
• Attend additional Skill Sessions if further improvement is needed to pass.
• Certification is valid for 1 year upon successful completion.

Advanced Opportunities (Optional): Deepen your skills with advanced classes like these:

• Co-Facilitation Techniques
• GPS for special populations (Perinatal, Recovery, Healthcare Workers, etc.)
• Addressing Challenging Situations in Groups
• Keeping Everyone Safe
  
  

Need Help?

• Email: info@grouppeersupport.org
• Zoom and scheduling links are provided in your confirmation email.
• Weekly reminder emails include all necessary resources.