I want to help people because I feel as if it’s my duty to the community to hear each other and make everyone no matter what walk of life they come from feel respected and safe

For as long as I can remember, I've always cared deeply about others. I've also always been the person with whom people, even strangers, want to talk about their problems. I've been told that I have a very even-keeled temperament and that I'm a very good listener. I've overcome a history of abuse and depression, as well as physical illnesses and injuries. I'm also the divorced mother of two who has been a single parent for over 10 years. I'm grateful for the opportunity to use the struggles I've faced to now help others who may be going through similar and also different struggles.

"Almost a decade ago, I embarked on my emotional recovery journey, overcoming the abuse and neglect I endured as a child that continued to affect me into adulthood. After finding myself in one abusive relationship after another, I finally connected with the right counselor who introduced me to ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families). Counseling and my peer support group experience transformed my life, leading me to change careers and dedicate the past eight years to working with individuals facing mental health and substance abuse challenges. My life's work is to help others find the calm, peace, and serenity that I found, traveling with them on the road to emotional sobriety to become whole, healthy, sane, and safe. In pursuit of this goal, I returned to school and became a Certified Addictions Counselor and a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist. In my spare time, I love to travel. I spent two years traveling the US exploring various major cities, often pushing myself outside of my comfort zone through adventurous experiences. After losing my 13-year-old puppy last year, I became a part-time dog sitter. So, occasionally, in our sessions, we may be visited by a fluffy fur baby. I am honored and humbled to support others in their recovery journeys, just as so many helped me along mine."

"With an offbeat and often confusing first name that people always ask me to clarify, I suppose I was destined to be a bit of a character. From as early as I can remember, I’ve had a deep love for the arts—especially theatre—which sparked my fascination with the human experience and the many unique ways we process life’s moments. Since getting married and starting a family, that curiosity has only grown stronger. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey during the ’90s also shaped my perspective, teaching me that many people move through life feeling unseen or unheard—that they’re often judged by their appearance rather than the content of their hearts. By joining Peer Collective, I hope to serve as a beacon of support—someone who can offer understanding and encouragement as others navigate the complex, challenging, and ultimately rewarding journey we call life."

My name is Cecilia and I can't wait to be vulnerable with you. I hold a CRSS and use this title to help people who have been down similar paths. A path of darkness, uncertainty and pain, led me to face my inner turmoil, sitting with unbearable pains, I experienced clarity and self awareness like never before. Acceptance of my downfalls, and no longer dwelling. I was finally set free from the suffocation of guilt and shame. Some fun facts about myself include my love for food, sweet ice coffee, wild life and nature. I enjoy spending time with my dog and taking care of my house plants and flowers.

I've been fortunate to receive many different forms of help and support over the years. Processing and moving past a lot of serious shit has been hard but transformative. Discovering I wasn’t “a bad person getting good” but “a wounded person getting well” changed everything for me. When people suffer yet somehow find their inner compass, and begin thriving, this to me is very meaningful and powerful. I can think of no greater honour than supporting and championing genuine healing, human to human. Areas of personal experience include complex childhood trauma: domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse, molestation, neglect and abandonment; hard drug use, alcohol addiction, self-harming, suicidal ideation; a sibling diagnosed with schizophrenia; grief and loss of several close family members; problems with shame, impulse control, depression, addiction, dysfunctional relationships. And patterns of retraumatizing until I became truly "awake" and learned to honour and reparent all parts of myself. These days my heart is open, my mind is clear, and my central nervous system hums along nicely. Old trauma-related symptoms may occasionally arise, yet I have many great tools to shift myself back to me. I'm in a loving long-term relationship with a wonderful man, a “bonus mum” and friend to my cherished stepdaughter. My friendships, pets, garden and home bring contentment and gratitude. I’m a well-educated and curious lifelong learner. And while I’m always seeking to grow and change in positive ways, I’ve also learned the importance of accepting, respecting and loving myself along the way, just as I am. Life can be profoundly challenging at times; compassion for our humanity is critical. I've been a staunch advocate of human rights since forever. LGBTQ+, BIPOC, persons with disabilities, kids, animals, this earth we share. Though I've not experienced certain issues first hand, I am very much politically aware and sensitive to the issues. Thank you for your trust.

My name is Nickiya Washington. I am 23 years old, and I currently moved to Florida. I am originally from Virginia; I came down to Florida for college in 2021 and recently moved back to Florida from Virginia after I graduated. I studied psychology, but I currently work as a registered behavioral technician in ABA. A shift happened in my life at the age of 8, when my father passed away. My teenage years involved a lot of rebellion and "my way or the highway." Moving to Florida helped me grow in a lot of different places that I was not cognitive of. Since I felt so misunderstood in high school, I became very interested in the way individuals think and how I can be the one to understand that individual who feels misunderstood as well. I became interested in reading psychological thrillers, going to the beach, building fellowships, and getting closer to God.

They say that you are either going through something, coming out of something or getting ready to go through something. I personally know the suffering of racism, losing a loved one , divorce, leukemia, major job loss and lung cancer. But looking back, there was always someone there for me— even a total stranger.  Well, today, I just want to be there for someone else!

Hi! My name is Liz. I’ve always been someone who puts others before myself. Compassion, empathy, and listening without judgment come naturally to me. I believe deeply in meeting people where they are and wanting them to find peace. I know what it’s like to feel lost and afraid, having faced my own struggles with anxiety and chronic panic attacks, as well as loving someone who battled substance abuse. Those experiences didn’t break me; they gave me purpose. They taught me resilience, understanding, and the importance of helping others who are walking similar paths. I’ve finally found my reason for being here: to support, uplift, and remind people that they’re not alone.

"I am so happy to have the opportunity to meet you! My lived experience of overcoming the challenges I have had during my life has led me to this work and I hope that my sharing a bit of my story might give you some hope for your mental health journey. I was born and raised in a home marked by substance misuse, domestic violence, constant moving, and abuse in all forms. Homelife wasn't stable and it eventually landed me in foster care. I was adopted as a teenager and had a time of stability and wellness through my high school years. Once I got out on my own, I recreated the very type of environment that I was removed from as a 13 year old. The birth of my oldest in 2012 was a significant turning point, but I still struggled with my mental wellness. I went through a divorce and got right into another relationship that lasted 8 years and included the birth of my 2nd child. I began therapy yet again and finally clicked with a trauma informed therapist that gave me the gift of insight. For the first time in my life, I was able to grasp the impacts of all the things I had experienced and put a name to my experience... it was Complex PTSD. Having never heard of the ""complex"" version of PTSD, I pursued understanding it as a way to understand myself and others. I learned that we are not what happened to us and that perhaps my way of being was a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances. For many years, I was unable to regulate myself emotionally and often felt like a burden to anyone and everyone. I’ve learned many things during my recovery process and now understand that recovery is a journey with no finish line to cross. Our race through this life can be a hard one, and I believe that we can, even through the darkest of times, find hope and healing both within ourselves and through healthy relationships with others. Whatever the circumstances that have led you here, my hope is that when you leave any interaction with me that you might feel a little less alone. Please know that you may reach out to me if you need someone to talk to, direction to resources, or simply some words of encouragement. Thank you for being here and I look forward to the opportunity to connect more if you so choose."

Hi, I'm Syncyera! I understand what it feels like to be stressed, anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed by life. I've gone through my own hardships, including growing up around addiction and feeling ignored, and I've had to learn how to navigate life while juggling everything it has thrown at me. Because of that, I'm really passionate about helping others to feel seen and supported. I want to remind you that you are more than what you've been through, and that things can get better. I'm not here to give professional advice, but to listen and create a safe, judgement free space where you can be yourself and learn to thrive instead of just survive. A little about me, I love going to the gym, reading, sewing, baking, cooking, and spending time with my cat, friends, and family! I am SO glad that you are here taking this step and I would love the opportunity to work with you. Regardless of whether it is with my help, or the help of another peer, I hope that each and every one of you find what you are looking for and achieves all of your goals!

Thank you for being here. Let's be honest, life can be messy, challenging, lonely and confusing. We all deserve to feel safe, joyous, and loved. I have experienced various levels of trauma in the past, and I've lost love ones to their own trauma and pain. I would love to help create a world where you don’t have to feel alone. I would be honored to speak with you and be a compassionate and safe place for you to feel seen and be heard. I want to stress that we are all equal, we are all important, and we all deserve to be healthy and to be loved. We are not our past or our mistakes and we deserve peace. I believe in a mind, body and soul connection. Many of us have spent years of our lives in survival mode but I'd like to help to create a safe place where we can start to put down the armor, masks, and past tools we've needed to survive. Let's collectively learn to find ourselves, find our truth and learn new healing tools to live our best lives. Wherever your path takes you, I hope you feel deeply supported and understood.

"Hi, I’m Alli. I’m a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist with decades of experience supporting people experiencing homelessness and navigating some of life’s most difficult circumstances. Throughout my work, I’ve learned that people don’t need to be “fixed” they need to be heard, respected, and supported in finding their own path forward. I also bring lived experience to my work. I grew up in a home impacted by addiction and have personal experience with suicidal thoughts and suicide/parental loss. Those experiences have shaped the way I understand recovery, resilience, grief, and the importance of having someone who can sit with you without judgment. My approach is compassionate, honest, and person-centered. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you; not tell you what you should do. Whether you're feeling stuck, trying to make a change, rebuilding after a difficult period, or simply looking for someone who understands, I’d be honored to support you. You don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out. We can start wherever you are."

"Hi, I'm Nathalie. Growing up biracial in a mostly white neighborhood, I learned early what it feels like to be misunderstood; and how to keep shining anyway. Losing my father to suicide taught me a different kind of resilience: the belief that there's always a path forward, even in the hardest moments. That belief is what I bring into every conversation. I listen deeply, and I love helping people uncover the answers that were inside them all along. When I'm not working, I'm usually dancing (it's basically how I breathe), or diving into something new to learn: a fresh skill, or another layer of how our brains, bodies, and nervous systems truly work. If you want someone who's walked through real darkness and still believes in the light, I'd love to be that person for you."

Hello, thank you for being here. I have hard-lived experience navigating depression and anxiety throughout my youth and early adulthood. During those years, I felt ‘within and without’ due to cultural alienation, identity issues, grief, economic struggle, and complex ptsd. I am grateful to have overcome those life challenges. I decided to support others that may have a hard time finding their truth and expressing their feelings. I would be honored to provide a non-judgmental and compassionate space to explore thoughts and feelings. These days I enjoy gardening, crocheting, singing off key, and baking in my small hobbit hole with my two cats and my significant other. Thank you again for being here.

"Hey, I’m Brandi. If there’s one thing I want you to know before we ever talk, it’s that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you show up. You don’t have to find the perfect words, pretend you’re okay, or worry about being judged. You can just be you. I’ve always been the person people feel comfortable talking to. I genuinely enjoy listening, learning how other people see the world, and creating a space where someone can say what they’re really thinking or feeling—even when it’s complicated, messy, or difficult to explain. I believe sometimes we don't need someone to solve our problems; we need someone willing to sit with us while we sort through them. My own life has given me plenty of experience with the fact that life rarely follows a perfect plan. I’m a wife and a mom of three, and over the years I’ve navigated the ups and downs that come with relationships, marriage, motherhood, family, work, major life changes, and simply trying to figure out who you are while taking care of everyone and everything around you. One of the things I value most is curiosity over judgment. Your experiences may be completely different from mine, and that's okay. I don't need to have lived your exact story to want to understand it. I would much rather ask, listen, and learn. As your peer counselor, I’m not here to tell you how to live your life or pretend I have all the answers. I’m here to listen, support you, celebrate the wins with you, sit with you through the hard days, and help create a safe, comfortable space where you can talk openly. Whether you're overwhelmed, going through a transition, struggling with relationships or family, feeling misunderstood, celebrating something nobody else seems to understand, or you simply need another human being to talk to, you're welcome here. Come exactly as you are. We can start there😊 "

Hello, I am an individual who enjoys listening to others and supporting them as they navigate challenges. I have personally worked through trauma, self-reflection, addictions, relationship issues (family and significant others), rejection, cultural challenges, and abandonment issues. My hope is to help anyone in these areas. I enjoy working with teens, adults, and families. Socially, I enjoy various types of music and love live music concerts. I currently live in Florida and love the local white-sand beaches. They give me a sense of peace and belonging, among others. I also enjoy art, such as drawing and painting. These activities relax me. In addition, my church family provides meaningful socialization. I am grateful to anyone who chooses to work with me. It is an honor, and I am excited to support and serve you.

"My name is Carlton Gould, and my desire to help others comes from both professional experience and lived experience. My life has included difficult seasons, significant losses, personal struggles, and circumstances that required me to rebuild parts of myself and my life. Those experiences taught me that people are often carrying much more beneath the surface than what others can see. Over time, I learned that recovery and personal growth are rarely a straight line. Sometimes people need resources and practical guidance, but just as importantly, they need someone who can listen without judgment, recognize their strengths, and remind them that their current circumstances do not have to define their future. I earned my Master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis, and my professional experiences have strengthened my understanding of human behavior, motivation, trauma, resilience, and the importance of meeting people where they are. However, I believe some of my greatest lessons have come from life itself. I know what it means to experience setbacks, make difficult changes, take accountability, and continue moving forward when life does not unfold according to plan. My personality is naturally curious, compassionate, and direct. I enjoy meaningful conversations and asking questions that help people think more deeply about themselves, their choices, and what they want their lives to become. I do not believe in reducing people to their mistakes, diagnoses, addictions, or circumstances. I believe there is a person behind every problem, and that person deserves dignity, honesty, encouragement, and an opportunity to grow. Peer recovery work appeals to me because it allows me to use both what I have learned and what I have lived through to help someone else move forward. I cannot walk another person’s recovery journey for them, but I can walk beside them, help them recognize possibilities they may not currently see, and remind them that meaningful change is possible one decision at a time. Outside of my professional interests, I enjoy studying psychology, spirituality, human behavior, personal development, and the deeper questions surrounding purpose and identity. I am continually learning, growing, and working to become someone whose experiences, including the difficult ones, can ultimately be used in service of others. "

"Life has taught me that people don't need someone to fix them. They need someone who will listen, understand, and walk beside them while they figure things out. Over the last 18+ years, I've worked in mental health, addiction recovery support, fatherhood programs, hospitals, and community-based services helping people navigate some of life's most difficult moments. What matters most to me is creating a space where authenticity and transparency thrive. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, misunderstood, or simply trying to figure out your next step, my goal is to help you identify your strengths, build confidence, and take meaningful steps forward. Outside of Peer Support, I enjoy creating music and hold a degree in Audio Production. I love to travel, write and building meaningful conversations. I believe healing happens through connection and my main goal is to do that with empathy."