Consumer Service Providers

If you feel that your life experience can become a significant tool in the rehabilitation of others, you should get to know the "consumer service providers" service, one of the unique services offered by the Rehabilitation Basket in the field of employment. The service allows individuals with mental health disabilities who have undergone significant recovery to leverage their personal experience and work in the field as non-professional rehabilitation staff, as professional therapy and rehabilitation staff, or as mental health rehabilitation managers.  

This combination offers double value: reinforces the individual with mental health disability, who earns support and supervision from experienced professionals, while simultaneously empowering individuals with mental health disabilities who are service providers who provide support and supervision. This field, therefore, is not only a path to employment but is also a significant way to help others and return to the job market with a sense of meaning and empowerment.  

The “consumer service providers” program is a unique opportunity for individuals with mental health disabilities. 

• Providing support from a personal source: Taking the experiences, pain, challenges and victories and channel them to a positive place. 
• Gaining personal empowerment: move from the status of service recipient to that of a service provider. 
• Experiencing professional empowerment: Having a career that specializes in support, rehabilitation and treatment of others. 
• Giving and receiving mutual support: Employment that is far more than just a workplace. This is an opportunity to create a community, strengthen connections with others, and transform the workplace into a true support network where everyone moves forward together.  

How to become consumer service providers 

Individuals with mental health disabilities can become ‘consumers who are service providers” after having already been working in the field or following training in a rehabilitation school. Training is not mandatory but is advantageous and can provide important tools. The service in the rehabilitation basket includes: 

• Employment and professional supervision of the consumer service providers organization. The supervision will assist in the joint creation of an individual plan, which includes defining goals, examining possibilities for development, direction, searching for employment opportunities in the field of rehabilitation and therapy, opportunities for training, professional courses or academic studies in the field of rehabilitation and therapy. 
• Relevant training at a rehabilitation school at a subsidized price by the Ministry of Health. 

The supervision process in both programs includes the following main stages:  

• Familiarity with the world of rehabilitation and therapy in the field of mental health as well as in general.   
• Supervision in job searches.  
• Ongoing supervision: following training, participants receive regular professional supervision designed to ensure optimal integration in the position.  
• Supervision and provision of crisis management tools.   
• Support of professional developments. 
• Symposiums and training: Their goal is to solidify the professional identity of a "consumer service provider", to provide professional tools and to maximize the use of knowledge from personal experience. 

The assessment and rehabilitation program  

Upon the commencement of support from a "consumer as a service provider," an assessment will begin that includes a comprehensive examination of the individual’s personal and professional needs while setting clear goals within the confines of a personalized rehabilitation plan. Progress will then be regularly monitored with the possibility of updates and changes to the program, depending on evolving needs and challenges that arise during the process. Furthermore, during the supervision, follow-up plans will be formulated or options for further professional advancement will be offered to the service recipient. The supervision, after it has been exhausted, will be concluded in conjunction with professional bodies and will ensure continuity of employment or smooth integration into the rehabilitation system or another employment framework that is suitable for the service recipient. 

If you already have work as a consumer service provider 

Even if you already have a job and a position, you can benefit from the service and receive a response to your need for support and guidance from the rehabilitation basket. The supervision and support must be received from the rehabilitation basket and not through the workplace in order to receive professional training related to the job and type of work. 

Special courses for consumer service providers - in a rehabilitation school

Individuals with mental health disabilities who wish to work as consumer service providers can register for a special course that will train them for the position. It is important to note that training at a rehabilitation school is distinguished from the employment supervision within the framework of a rehabilitation basket. In other words, there are different providers, and the training essentially complements the support. 

There are two dedicated courses, upon completion of which you receive a certificate, which allow you to integrate into various positions in rehabilitation and mental health, such as instructors, rehabilitation supervisors, specialist peers, professional employees and managers in various settings and rehabilitation centers. These courses are offered at a subsidized cost. 

Training course for consumer service providers

A course that focuses on understanding that consumers who have undergone successful rehabilitation and coping processes can be role models and provide significant support to others.  

The curriculum includes: building a professional identity and self-awareness, tools for interpersonal communication, developing the ability to provide emotional support, training and practical tools, understanding basic professional concepts in the field, including rehabilitation, recovery, and various models of treatment and rehabilitation, etc.   

For information about a training course for service provider consumers

Practical copurse of specialist peers

The course focuses on developing the ability to help  others as a result of personal experience. In the course, you receive practical tools for transforming personal knowledge into a professional tool that is used when working with other individuals with mental health disabilities.  

The curriculum includes: training in the use of tools and methods based on personal experience, the intention to apply knowledge from this personal experience in the field, including group work, guidance and counseling for individuals with mental health disabilities, and the development of a unique professional identity.   

For information about the Expert Peer Practice Course