Biography

My professional certifications include Certified Work Incentives Practitioner, National Certified Peer Specialist, Certified Recovery Peer Specialist and a Copeland Center trained Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator. I am also trained and certified in Digital Peer Support and Supporting Older Adults Remotely. My most authentic credential is my lived experience. I have been providing peer support professionally since 2008 in the community mental health system, in-patient settings, and informal community settings. I have 6 years experience working in a Forensic Treatment Facility and a State Hospital. I have been a facilitator for Support Groups Central. for 4 years. My personal challenges with mental health issues allow me to provide recovery skills in a variety of ways including individual peer coaching, online and in-person support group meetings, and providing Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training. I know first hand the struggle of returning to the workforce after a mental health crisis. My areas of expertise include Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Social Security, and Medicaid and Medicare issues. As a Certified Work Incentives Practitioner, I can assist individuals receiving SSI/SSDI in understanding how going to work will affect their benefits and how to make the most of the work incentives offered by Social Security which can lower your countable income.

Specialties