In addition to the difficulties that burn survivors face in physical healing after a burn injury, burn survivors require assistance with the psychological challenges they face, such as a new identity and additional challenges with scarring and hospitalization. While it is important to have psychological assistance from trained mental health professionals, peer support has been clinically proven to aid recovery after a burn injury.  In this episode, we discuss with a clinical social worker and Phoenix Society’s Virtual Peer Support facilitator Jenn Harris, and burn survivor and trained Phoenix SOAR peer supporter Rich Casias about the various methods of peer support, why they’re important, and how to get involved.  About Jennifer Harris, MSW, LICSW  Jennifer Harris, MSW, LICSW, is a Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist working extensively with people impacted by trauma, loss, and grief for the past 15 years.  Jenn began her Clinical Social Work career at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, where she worked with people impacted by the onset of trauma, illness, end of life, and bereavement.  While at MGH, she developed a curiosity about how trauma/loss impacts people’s emotional well-being.  She completed a yearlong certificate program in Trauma Informed Care from the Simmons School of Social Work, which deepened her expertise to support people in coping to navigating “not what is wrong with me, but what happened to me”. Currently, she works in private practice.  She has been involved with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors for the past 9yrs in various capacities, including starting the virtual peer support group three years ago. She also facilitates support groups for trauma/loss survivors and provides consultation to organizations to support their programming impact on people coping with trauma and loss.  For the past 12yrs, Jenn has been a volunteer Healing Circle Leader with Comfort Zone Camp, a weekend-long program to support children/families experiencing grief. About Rich Casias Rich Casias is a burn survivor and works as a California Professional Geologist in the northern California region. As a Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter and Peer Support Trainer, he is energized by assisting burn survivors to learn to rebuild their self-confidence and advocate for themselves and others in the burn community. Resources from the Show Join Our Online Facebook Community for Survivors & Loved OnesAttend a virtual video peer support group (2nd & 4th Monday at 8:00 PM EST)Become a Phoenix SOAR hospital or trained SOAR Peer SupporterView our community calendar for other peer support opportunitiesContact us to get connected to 1:1 peer supportPhoenix Society’s BlogView Our ResourcesKaren Badger’s Peer Support Research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20077316/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20379901/  Purchase Your Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors & Girls with Grafts SwagRate, Subscribe, and Review Phoenix Society’s Girls with Grafts Podcast Our Sponsor A special thank you to our Season One Sponsor, Pritzker Hageman. The Pritzker Hageman burn injury legal team helps burn survivors and their loved ones pursue compensation and justice throughout the United States. If you have legal questions, the attorneys at Pritzker Hageman are ready to help. Find out more at LegalJourney.guide  Enjoyed the show? Tell us on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!