As NCRA approaches its sixth year of focusing on providing mental health resources to the community, the JCR encourages you to take part in its newest collaboration: Peer-to-Peer Support sessions. Your next opportunity to attend is on June 11.
“I wish there was something like this when I was coming through the ranks.” This is just one of the quotes session facilitator Bev Perez, MSW, has received since NCRA and the National Court Reporters Foundation created the Peer-to-Peer Support program last year at the behest of NCRA President Cindy Isaacsen, RPR.
It is just one more initiative to add to the growing collection of resources and learning opportunities made available for NCRA members to support their mental health.
When Isaacsen proposed this new initiative, she noted: “Our profession is very demanding and oftentimes very stressful. I feel that we need a safe space to connect and share with others who can understand the many challenges that we face daily.”
The confidential Zoom space offers NCRA members a supportive outlet to candidly discuss their emotions and experiences stemming from the challenging work they encounter.
The sessions are led by Perez, a former police officer who is certified in peer support and has specialized training in trauma in work experiences. According to Isaacsen, this allows members to connect and process the emotional weight of their work.
“During these sessions I learned that reporting brings a mix of gratitude, pride, and purpose, alongside mental exhaustion, deadline pressures, and frustration. I also learned that people often feel all these emotions … alone,” Perez says. “This is exactly why I take pride in being your peer support guide and bringing like-minded peers such as yourselves together to share your experiences, build community, create a space where you can talk freely, express yourselves confidentially, and most importantly, empathize, understand, and no longer feel alone in your professions.
“As your guide, I can proudly and factually say, I have done just that in every session, every share, and every meeting. Not only are we doing these things, but during our sessions you will also meet other professionals who can become lifelong friends, support systems, and sounding boards. How awesome is that?” Perez adds. “I am honored to be your guide and thankful to everyone who helped make this happen.”
These groups are already scheduled for the remainder of 2026. All events occur on Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, and advance registration is encouraged to ensure access.
Register now for the next session on June 11 or for any of the upcoming dates:
- Aug. 13
- Oct. 8
- Dec. 10
The National Court Reporters Foundation is honored to sponsor these sessions, and Peer-to-Peer ZoomUps are set to continue for at least two more years.
Thanks are due in particular to Planet Depos; Allie Hall, RDR, CRR, CRI; Early Langley, RMR; Anissa Nierenberger, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI; Donna Urlaub, FAPR, RDR, CRR; and Lisa Buell, RPR, CRR, for their generous donations to this program.
A version of this article was originally published in the May 2026 issue of the JCR magazine.
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