Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Mary Robinson-Ford

Summerville

Summary

Attentive peer support specialist promoting a several-year career, sharing life experiences regarding mental illnesses and addictions, and always ready with a listening and attentive ear for others. Skilled at providing a high level of support and helping individuals find needed community services and resources. Ready for a new position, assisting others and helping each to live optimal lives. I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist with a background in mental health and substance abuse recovery. Experience includes providing empathetic support, facilitating group sessions, and promoting wellness strategies. Strengths reside in active listening, empathy, resilience building, and crisis intervention skills.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Certified Peer Support Specialist

Dept. of Mental Health
Charleston
10.2013 - 10.2024
  • Assisted clients in developing coping skills and strategies to manage daily stressors.
  • Shared details regarding recovery and wellness principles focused on helping others struggling to stay focused on personal recovery journeys.
  • Listened to personal stories, asked probing questions and offered knowledgeable advice for different situations.
  • Helped individuals overcome harmful drug and alcohol addictions.
  • Encouraged positive behavior change through motivational interviewing techniques and supportive counseling approaches.
  • Maintained accurate records of client progress and interactions according to agency policy.
  • Assisted clients with developing relevant skills to improve functionality in social, educational and vocational situations.
  • Provided one-on-one peer support services to individuals with mental health conditions in a clinical setting.
  • Responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose.
  • Assisted others through dynamic relationships built on trust and utilized effective listening and interpersonal skills.
  • Delivered treatments to improve client functionality and environmental adjustment.
  • Monitored client safety by recognizing potential warning signs of relapse or crisis situations.
  • Advocated on behalf of clients when needed by communicating with external providers regarding insurance coverage or other administrative matters.
  • Referred individuals to outside resources and services for additional support.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers. to coordinate care plans for each client.
  • Aided individuals by developing wellness plans and advance directives to achieve goals.
  • Coordinated resources to support clients and help each achieve targets.
  • Compiled personal information and compared against professional knowledge to determine needs and optimum strategies for success.
  • Participated in case conferences and staff meetings to discuss best practices and provide feedback on client progress.
  • Facilitated referrals to appropriate professionals when necessary.
  • Led support groups and facilitated one-on-one meetings with struggling individuals.
  • Interacted with family members of individuals and shared information regarding available community support services.
  • Kept pace with changes in research on diagnostic and treatment protocols to give best possible support to clients.
  • Engaged in outreach activities such as attending fairs or providing presentations at local schools and organizations to raise awareness about mental health issues among the general public.
  • Instilled hope by promoting positive self-disclosure and actively listening to client needs.
  • Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
  • Provided follow-up services after discharge from the program including phone calls or home visits if necessary.
  • Met with clients to understand individual needs and develop personalized counseling plans.
  • Organized and facilitated weekly recovery groups for clients to share their experiences and build relationships with each other.
  • Conducted assessments for new clients entering the program and provided recommendations for treatment plans accordingly.
  • Maintained strict data confidentiality and privacy on information related to individuals.
  • Helped individuals overcome discrimination, stigmas and trauma by providing encouragement and community resources.
  • Educated clients about different resources available within the community that could help them reach their goals.
  • Transported individuals safely to support meetings and medical appointments.
  • Encouraged development of relevant skills to help overcome specific concerns.
  • Attended trainings related to mental health topics such as trauma-informed care or evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • Promoted self-advocacy skills among clients by helping them understand their rights under applicable laws such as HIPAA or ADA regulations.
  • Provided emotional support through listening actively and validating feelings expressed by clients during sessions.
  • Collaborated to set goals and outline steps to achieve objectives.
  • Consulted on outside cases using personal expertise in diagnoses.
  • Developed individualized plans for clients based on their needs, interests, strengths, and preferences.
  • Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
  • Offered guidance on how to access housing, employment opportunities, educational programs. within the community.
  • Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
  • Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
  • Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
  • Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
  • Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
  • Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
  • Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.

Education

Associate of Science - Addiction/Substance Abuse

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC
05-2013

Skills

  • Motivational interviewing
  • Crisis intervention
  • Collaborative teamwork
  • Emotional support
  • Group facilitation
  • Effective communication
  • Problem solving
  • Mental health awareness
  • Peer advocacy
  • Substance abuse
  • Multicultural competence
  • Empathy development
  • Stress reduction
  • Relapse prevention
  • Family support
  • Community outreach
  • Skill development
  • Client advocacy
  • Recovery planning
  • Behavioral assessments
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Social activity planning
  • Mental health services
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Mental health advocacy
  • Relationship building skills
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Peer support ethics
  • Substance abuse awareness
  • Family assistance
  • Rapport building
  • Recovery guidance
  • Communication
  • Community services information
  • Recovery assistance and support
  • Patient referrals
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Positive patient experiences
  • Client-centered therapy
  • Case management proficiency
  • Reliability
  • Self motivation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Mental health assessment
  • Time management abilities
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Service navigation
  • Team collaboration
  • Self-care management
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Support group facilitation
  • Wellness recovery action plan
  • Multicultural sensitivity
  • Arranging transportation
  • Planning skills
  • Boundary setting
  • Wellness strategies
  • Self-care techniques
  • Time management
  • Leadership skills
  • Issue resolution
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Safety protocols and procedures
  • Clinical documentation

Certification

  • Certified in Family interventions
  • Certified Peer Support
  • Certified in Addictions/ Substance Abuse

Timeline

Certified Peer Support Specialist

Dept. of Mental Health
10.2013 - 10.2024

Associate of Science - Addiction/Substance Abuse

Trident Technical College
Mary Robinson-Ford