How to Build Buy-In to Start a Peer Support Program

From advocate to counselor to minister, Dorie has been in the “helping business” her entire career. While working for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Dorie served as a crisis counselor, as well as developed curriculum and taught peer and crisis support training for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. In 2016, Dorie left government work to expand her reach through her training company, Crisis Support Solutions, LLC. During the last seven years, Dorie has developed and delivered training that teaches personnel how to provide care and offer hope to peers overwhelmed by crisis and struggling with stress.

Called to ministry, Dorie earned a Masters in Divinity (M.Div) from McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, Atlanta, GA in 2000 and later earned a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Savannah State University, Savannah, GA in 2005. After entering the candidacy process for Word and Service as a Deacon, Dorie completed a Certificate of Advanced Theological Study (CATS) at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) in Berkeley, CA. Dorie has just completed her internship and will soon be ordained and installed as a Rostered Minister in the ELCA.

With Crisis Support Solutions, LLC business partner, Joey Fennell, Dorie recently formed MESS Ministries, Inc., a non-profit designed to teach clergy and lay leaders how to provide mental, emotional, and spiritual support (MESS) to people in need. Find more at MESSministries.org.