Biography

Melissa is a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, certified through the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification board.  Melissa is also certified in training Recovery Coach Academy to peers with the desire of being certified.  Melissa is based out of Montgomery County, MD and has experience working as a peer in the overdose response team for Montgomery County, working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services/ MoCo Crisis Center, EMS, MCPD, and all Montgomery County hospitals.  Prior, Melissa has experience working in the substance abuse and dual diagnoses treatment field at multiple treatment centers at the capacity of a case manager, discharge coordinator, behavioral health technician, group facilitator, and primary therapist. Melissa received her credential as ADT and has been a certified addiction counselor since October 2020. Most importantly, Melissa self discloses as someone in long term recovery herself which fuels her passion working in the field, bringing her own experience to the table.

On recovery

"To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn't come with guarantees -- these are the risks that involve vulnerability and often pain.  But, I'm learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace"
- Brene Brown

It may surprise you to know...

Melissa started a recovery soccer team called The DopeKickers.