A recovery coach is a person who has had experience with mental health or addiction issues.
They are there to help others currently struggling with these issues on their road to recovery.
To become a recovery coach, a person must get training from a state agency, and in Nebraska, two such state agencies offer training and a certificate.
Page Navigation
- Steps to Become a Recovery Coach in Nebraska
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly do peer support specialists do?
- What is the job outlook for recovery coaches in Nebraska?
- Where do you get training?
- Where can you get a job as a recovery coach?
- How is a recovery coach different than a life coach?
- What is the difference between a professional counselor and a recovery coach?
- Do you have to renew your certificate?
Steps to Become a Recovery Coach in Nebraska
The most important requirement is that you must have been successful in your recovery for at least one year.
Nebraska adds the twist that you must also have received behavioral services from the state, or be the parent of someone who has.
Most states want people who are in recovery themselves so the clients can better relate to the person giving them help.
You must also be at least 19 and be a U.S. citizen.
If you meet those standards, you may take the state’s peer support core curriculum training.
There are two organizations, one in Lincoln and one in Omaha, that offer this training.
The curriculum is set by the state’s Division of Behavioral Health and Office of Consumer Affairs.
There are 13 sections to the education program that will take 60 hours to complete.
At least 10 hours of that must be in ethics training, and there must be 40 hours of live interactive training.
You must first apply to the programs and get accepted.
Once the program is completed, you must pass an exam to get your certificate.
There is a $120 fee to take the test.
If you fail the test you may take it again and will have to pay the fee again.
Salary
The average pay for a recovery coach in Nebraska is $32,218, ranging from $29,000 to $36,000.
The national average is around $34,000.
The cities with the highest-paying jobs for recovery coaches are Omaha and Lincoln, where the average is $32,000.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Professional Recovery Coachs in Nebraska
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $32,464 |
| Lincoln | $32,177 |
| Bellevue | $32,464 |
| Grand Island | $31,730 |
| Kearney | $31,730 |
| Fremont | $31,948 |
| Hastings | $31,730 |
| North Platte | $31,134 |
| Norfolk | $29,499 |
| Columbus | $31,730 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 250 | $75,980 | - NA - | $208,400 | $23,210 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 920 | $49,940 | - NA - | $75,540 | $21,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly do peer support specialists do?
Peer support specialists, or recovery coaches, are people who help others with mental health or addiction issues to help them on their road to recovery.
The coach has been in recovery as well and knows what the client is going through.
This should help build a relationship and trust to help the client.
The coach works with the client in recovery to develop and then execute a recovery plan.
This plan may be different for every individual, and the ability to adjust to individual needs is important.
The recovery coach is assigned to a client when he or she leaves a treatment facility, so they will not have to face their journey alone.
The recovery coach helps them get in contact with whatever service or agency they may need.
They also help people struggling with addiction or mental health issues to create a more healthy lifestyle and learn to make better choices.
A big part of the process is the relationship between the coach and the client.
They need to develop trust and respect for each other.
The coach must also be willing to share his or her experiences that will relate to issues the client is facing.
The recovery coach is, in essence, a helpful friend that has some expertise from his or her own experience and training.
What is the job outlook for recovery coaches in Nebraska?
Peer support specialist is a growing occupation nationwide.
The U.S. Dept of Labor Statistics estimates there will be a 12-15 percent increase in the number of recovery coaching jobs over the next 10 years nationwide.
The percentage in Nebraska is expected to be at about the national average.
Where do you get training?
Nebraska relies on two organizations to do its training and testing for a recovery coaching certificate.
The Peeriodial Nebraska Peer Support Training is one, and Community Alliance Peer Support Specialist Training is the other.
The cost for the 60 hours of training is about $500.
The Community Alliance Peer Support training is done through Southeast Community College in Lincoln.
The other organization operates out of Omaha.
Classes are offered throughout the year.
Scholarships are also available for this course, and you automatically apply for them when you apply to the program.
Where can you get a job as a recovery coach?
It is possible to have your own business and work for various agencies as a contract worker.
Most people get jobs at state or private agencies that hire people as recovery coaches.
This can be a private or public substance abuse treatment center, various mental health facilities, public health agencies, the criminal justice system, and many others.
Any organization involved in helping people deal with addiction or health issues could need a recovery coach.
How is a recovery coach different than a life coach?
There are a lot of similarities between a recovery coach and a life coach, but there are important differences as well.
Both are involved in helping the person create a better life for themselves.
Both also rely on personal experience and use that experience to help the client.
The main difference is that the recovery coach specializes in the drug or mental health area as the main focus.
Both work on the total picture, but the main difference is just the focus on addiction and mental health.
What is the difference between a professional counselor and a recovery coach?
One main difference is the level of education, and another difference is the approach each one takes.
A recovery coach has some training, but may not have a formal degree.
The counselor can make a diagnosis and has at least a master’s degree.
The counselor focuses on the client’s past to help them in the present.
The recovery coach focuses on the future, and how to get there from the present state.
Going from counselor to recovery coach would be a natural extension.
Do you have to renew your certificate?
Yes, you must renew your certificate every two years.
All certificates expire on Sept. 1 of odd-numbered years.
You must submit an application.
There are some continuing education requirements, and you must not have any felony convictions since getting your original certificate.
There is a fee for renewal.
