Court reporters routinely serve on the front lines of the justice system, bearing witness to some of the most complex, intense, and emotionally charged moments in people’s lives. While the profession offers a deep sense of purpose, it also carries an often-unspoken weight — one that can accumulate over time through repeated exposure to trauma and intense proceedings.
To help address these realities, the National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) has expanded its commitment to member well-being through the Peer-to-Peer Support program. Developed in partnership with the program’s founder, NCRA President Cindy Isaacsen, RPR, an official court reporter from Shawnee, Kan., the support sessions offer members a confidential online space to connect with colleagues and speak openly about difficult experiences, facilitated by peer support professional Bev Perez.
The next Peer-Peer Support session will be held on Feb. 12 from 7:30-9 p.m. Eastern. Register by Feb. 11 at noon Eastern.
“Peer-to-peer support is a vital initiative within our profession,” says Isaacsen, “and I am deeply grateful to those who recognized its importance and generously contributed the funding necessary to sustain this program through 2026 and into 2027.”
“In the period following COVID, I was exposed to an overwhelming number of difficult cases,” Isaacsen said. “At the time, I had no outlet to share the daily challenges I was facing, nor guidance on how to process the information I was absorbing — the graphic exhibits displayed on large screens, the details of the cases, and the facts that lingered long after the workday ended.”
Isaacsen notes that the program has been transformative for several 2025 participants. “This program has been invaluable on many levels. The connections I have made, the exercises we have worked through, and the stories we have shared have helped me — and others — address the secondary trauma that is an undeniable part of our profession.”
The importance of addressing that trauma is echoed by NCRF leadership. “Secondary or vicarious trauma is an often unseen but very real challenge for court reporters,” says NCRF Chair Doug Friend, FAPR, RDR, CRR (Ret.), of Vancouver, Wash. “By continuing the Peer-to-Peer Support Zooms in 2026, thanks to generous recent donors, NCRF is reaffirming its commitment to the well-being of NCRA members — providing connection, understanding, and practical support from peers who truly understand the work.”
This ongoing commitment is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of NCRF donors, including the newest NCRF Peer-to-Peer Support Platinum, Gold, and Silver Sponsors, whose leadership-level contributions have helped sustain and expand the initiative:
Platinum Sponsors
- Planet Depos
Gold Sponsors
- Allie Hall, RDR, CRR, CRI, Allison Hall Reporting Education
- Early Langley, RMR
- Anissa Nierenberger, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI
- Donna Urlaub, FAPR, RDR, CRR, Urlaub Bowen & Associates, Inc
Silver Sponsor
- Lisa Buell, RPR, CRR, Buell Realtime Reporting
Their significant support reflects a shared dedication to mental health, resilience, and the long-term well-being of court reporters across the profession.
NCRF’s Peer-to-Peer Support sessions are open to all NCRA members.
2026 Peer-to-Peer Support session dates:
Members must register for each one separately and provide their zoom screen names.
- April 9, 2026
- June 11, 2026
- Aug. 13, 2026
- Oct. 8, 2026
- Dec. 10, 2026
Zoom link information will be emailed prior to each session. Register now for Feb. 12 Peer-to-Peer session.
Meet the NCRF Peer-to-Peer facilitator
Bev Perez, MSW
Coach Bev Perez is a former police officer with specialized training in peer support, trauma, and work-related stress. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with NCRF members.
“The peer support initiative with NCRF members holds great significance for me because I have seen firsthand the transformative impact of peer support,” says Perez. “It reveals that we are not alone in our challenges and creates connections that unite us despite our differences. I am passionate about cultivating community, and that is exactly what peer support does.”
Please note that Peer-to-Peer Support sessions are not recorded. Discussions are facilitated by a licensed professional. By registering, participants acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of shared information and discussions. The NCRF Peer-to-Peer Support program does not provide CEU or PDC credit.
For questions or additional information, contact NCRF Manager Alex Vlahopoulos at avlahopoulos@ncra.org or NCRF Director Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
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