PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT: Ayja Burg
Ayja has been providing peer support for over a year, but she has an easygoing demeanor and warm sense of humor that makes me suspect she’s been a natural support person her whole life. Our team is fortunate to have such a dedicated provider who was cool enough to share a little about herself:
Where are you from/where did you grow up?
I'm from small town rural Wisconsin.
When/why did you get into peer support?
I started peer support a little more than a year ago after graduating CCS. I found it difficult to show up for people in the ways they needed it through nonprofit case management and found peer support to be the perfect solution.
Where would you like to see peer support go in the future?
I would like to see it more widely recognized allowing more access to people who need it.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It is such a privilege to be a support in someone's recovery and to see them grow.
What are some of the challenges in your job?
I find often times people don't know what peer support is or they don't see the value and the knowledge that lived experience brings.
Any hobbies or interests outside of work?
I'm a big gamer and spend a lot of time doing that. That's typically how I recharge during the week. I also love spending time outdoors with my wife and dog.
What is your favorite movie/book/TV show?
My favorite show is Avatar the Last Airbender as it had really made an emotional impact for me at the start of my mental health recovery. I also love the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten?
I don’t know about best piece of advice but understanding that a finish line doesn't exist in recovery. It takes consistent work and learning with many ups and downs.
Can you share any fun facts about yourself or something your colleagues may not know about you?
Sometimes my resting face is intimidating to others but I am really easy to talk to!