Our Story
The Genesis of IPS: Understanding Through Personal Experience
Intentional Peer Support (IPS) emerged from Shery Mead's personal encounters with the psychiatric system, hospitalizations and concurrent graduate studies in the 1990s.
Rooted in the principle of social change, IPS is a way of thinking about and inviting transformative relationships. Practitioners learn to use relationships to see things from new angles, develop greater awareness of personal and relational patterns and support and challenge each other in trying new things.
Our Global Team
The Leadership Evolution
IPS began as a sole trader consulting business and transformed into a partnership LLC with Chris Hansen joining Shery Mead as a Director in 2010. Over the years, IPS expanded its reach beyond the USA, establishing hubs in numerous states and countries globally.
Lisa Archibald (Scotland) joined the leadership team as the third Co-Director in January 2022 further strengthening IPS’s commitment to collaboration, mutual respect and growth across diverse cultures and communities.
Scattered across various continents, our many part-time contractors manage a broad array of tasks. They’re involved in overseeing operations, developing curriculum, facilitating training and managing our finances.
IPS Central is dedicated to being accessible in multiple facets:
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Financially Accessible: We are committed to providing cost-effective training solutions to ensure financial barriers do not hinder access to education.
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Adaptive Learning: Our curriculum is tailored to accommodate various learning styles and abilities, making learning both effective and engaging for everyone.
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Culturally Inclusive: We offer our resources in numerous languages, ensuring cultural relevance and inclusivity. Further details can be found on our Store or Hub page.
Our Community of Trainers
Our network of trainers spans the globe, reflecting the international spirit of our organization. We have trained between 200 - 300 organizational trainers worldwide, with approximately 50 currently active.
These trainers come from countries as varied as the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Croatia, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Join the Movement
Are you ready to be part of a global community that values growth, mutual support, and transformative change?
Explore the world of IPS and learn how you can contribute to a movement that's reshaping mental health support, one relationship at a time.
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