Renai Buchanan (she/they) embodies authenticity and down-to-earth connection. She has 16 years experience contributing to the leadership, advocacy, education and Peer Support provided across queer, sex work, chronic health, disability, neurodiversity and mental health spaces. She has been a passionate advocate for change, leveraging her chaotic experiences to fuel her passion for transforming systems and creating more equitable environments.

Renai approaches supervision with a deep commitment to exploring multiple truths and fostering compassionate understanding. She strives to create a space that enables collaborative learning, critical reflection and encourage open dialogue and growth. Renai is committed to creating inclusive environments and promoting intersectionality and accessibility. She values honesty, transparency, mutuality, and self-reflection, instilling these principles in her supervision practice.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Renai finds joy in spending time with her loved ones, including her wife and two young children, likely surrounded by Lego, lullabies and laundry.

My expereince is diverse, with over 15 years in Peer roles and 10 of these in designated, funded roles. I started in advocacy and grassroots peer education and support in both LGBTI spaces and sex work spaces. I was a frontline Peer Worker for a number of years, with responsibilities including; group facilitation, individual support and Peer Education

In 2018 I joined CoMHWA and over my 6 years with the WA Peak body for those with lived and living experience of distress I coordinated many projects including, My Medicines and Me, LIfe Launchpad, Peer Pathways and Education. I was also the covener of the WA Peer Support Network for 18 months.

Currently I work for a tertiary health service in a leadership position contributing to the effective and meaningful embedding of Peer Work within Services.

Side projects have included co-design, peer researcher, advocacy, recovery story telling, various committees and boards.

Peer Supervisor (Private)

Lived Experience Coordinator (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

Sessional Accademic (Curtin University Valuing Lived Expereince Program)

Private Lived Experience Consulting, including custom training.

Peer Supervision Training - Consumers of Mental Health WA

Intentional Peer Support - SHARC

"Reflective Supervision – A Non-Clinical Approach" - WAAMH

Emotional CPR Educator

Curtin's Lived Experience Educator Unit (VLEP)

Alternatives to Suicide Facilitation Training

Cert IV in Project Management

Cert IV in Management and Leadership

I have a very adaptive approach to supervision. Aiming to cocreate a relationship that supports deep exploration within a safer space. My approach is relational and guided by the individual. I use a lot of coreflection techniques.

Transperancy, curiousity, connection and mutuality is central to practice. I bring my whole chaotic self and foster an environment that encourages exploring role clarity, Peer identity, social justice and systemic barriers.

I hold a confidential space for stretching, exploring and discovering within the Lived Experience Role. I don't set topics and any outcomes/areas of focus are guided by the supervisee.

My approach to group co-reflection is also group led and utilises co-reflection.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have.