Theresa Sekely
West Mifflin,PA
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Summary
Compassionate peer support professional with extensive experience in behavioral health and recovery services. Skilled in motivational interviewing, active listening, and trauma-informed crisis de-escalation. Known for building trust, leading support groups, and connecting clients to housing, treatment, and community resources.
Work History
Certified Peer Support Specialist/ CFRS
Unity Recovery
Pittsburgh, PA
07.2025 - Current
- Provided recovery-oriented peer support, fostering trust and engagement through shared lived experience.
- Supported recovery plan development, aligning goals with client needs and community resources.
- Facilitated support groups, encouraging participation and reinforcing coping strategies.
- Documented client interactions accurately in electronic health records and service notes.
- Used active listening and motivational interviewing to strengthen readiness for change.
- Connected clients to referrals, housing, treatment, and recovery community services.
- De-escalated crisis situations calmly, promoting safety and supportive communication.
- Collaborated with clinical teams to coordinate care and reinforce recovery goals.
- Maintained accurate records of client interactions according to organizational guidelines, protecting confidentiality while ensuring thorough documentation for continuity of care purposes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans based on clients' individual strengths, needs, and preferences.
- Assisted clients in developing and maintaining personalized wellness plans, guiding them in setting achievable goals for improved mental health outcomes.
- Enhanced client recovery by providing emotional and practical support in both group and one-on-one settings.
- Developed strong rapport with clients, fostering a trusting environment to encourage open communication about personal challenges and goals.
- Assisted clients in identifying community resources and services, increasing their access to valuable support networks.
- Improved the quality of care for clients by actively participating in treatment planning meetings and offering insights from a peer perspective.
- Increased community awareness of mental health issues by conducting outreach presentations at local schools, businesses, and organizations.
- Coordinated educational workshops addressing topics such as stress management, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and self-care strategies.
- Conducted regular progress assessments, updating care plans as needed to reflect evolving client goals and circumstances.
- Supported clients in building resiliency through skill-building exercises emphasizing problem-solving techniques and adaptive coping strategies.
- Promoted client self-advocacy through education on rights, responsibilities, and navigating complex systems of care.
- Mentored new peer support specialists, sharing best practices and modeling effective techniques for supporting diverse client populations.
- Contributed to program development efforts by regularly reviewing policies and procedures to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices within the field of peer support services.
- Provided compassionate assistance to clients during challenging life transitions, helping them navigate obstacles with increased confidence and resilience.
- Strengthened relationships between clients and their natural support systems by offering guidance on effective communication techniques and conflict resolution strategies.
- Provided crisis intervention when necessary, utilizing de-escalation techniques to maintain safety and stability within the supportive environment.
- Actively pursued ongoing professional development opportunities to remain informed of emerging trends and best practices within the field of peer support services.
- Led engaging support groups tailored to participants' unique needs, promoting healthy coping skills and strategies for maintaining wellness.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
- Observed strict regulations and procedures regarding each individual to maintain confidentiality of personal and health information.
- Communicated with individuals' family members, offering information, and insight into support services available at community level.
- Provided ongoing assessment, problem-solving and skill teaching to assist individuals with activities of daily living.
- Assisted individuals in identifying and re-engaging with family, friends and other natural supports to build support system..
- Increased awareness of and supported participation in self-help and advocacy organizations.
- Built relationships with others based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.
- Fostered relationships with partner agencies and other interested parties to build pipeline of supportive services.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Chartiers Center
Bridgeville, PA
10.2020 - 11.2024
- Facilitated recovery-focused peer support sessions, reinforcing self-advocacy, hope, and wellness goals.
- Guided individuals through crisis de-escalation using trauma-informed, person-centered support techniques.
- Collaborated with treatment teams to align peer services with individualized recovery plans.
- Advocated for client preferences during service planning, strengthening engagement and treatment participation.
- Connected clients with community resources, including housing, benefits, and recovery supports.
- Facilitated therapeutic recreational activities designed to build social connections among peers while promoting physical wellbeing.
- Mentored newer peer specialists on rapport-building, boundaries, and recovery-oriented communication.
- Documented service interactions accurately, maintaining compliance with behavioral health record standards.
- Participated in clinical staffing meetings and coordinated with clinical staff to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Transported individuals to medical appointments and support meetings whenever needed.
- Attended classes and seminars to enhance knowledge of equipment and operating systems.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Trinity Health
Pittsburgh, PA
05.2018 - 06.2021
- Led group discussions that promoted coping skills, mutual support, and community reintegration.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
- Maintained computers, printers and technical resources to avoid disruption in operations.
- Recommended upgrades and equipment replacement to reduce technical issues.
- Supported clients in building resiliency through skill-building exercises emphasizing problem-solving techniques and adaptive coping strategies.
- Conducted regular progress assessments, updating care plans as needed to reflect evolving client goals and circumstances.
- Promoted client self-advocacy through education on rights, responsibilities, and navigating complex systems of care.
- Mentored new peer support specialists, sharing best practices and modeling effective techniques for supporting diverse client populations.
- Contributed to program development efforts by regularly reviewing policies and procedures to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices within the field of peer support services.
- Provided compassionate assistance to clients during challenging life transitions, helping them navigate obstacles with increased confidence and resilience.
- Strengthened relationships between clients and their natural support systems by offering guidance on effective communication techniques and conflict resolution strategies.
- Provided crisis intervention when necessary, utilizing de-escalation techniques to maintain safety and stability within the supportive environment.
- Actively pursued ongoing professional development opportunities to remain informed of emerging trends and best practices within the field of peer support services.
- Led engaging support groups tailored to participants' unique needs, promoting healthy coping skills and strategies for maintaining wellness.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
- Observed strict regulations and procedures regarding each individual to maintain confidentiality of personal and health information.
- Communicated with individuals' family members, offering information, and insight into support services available at community level.
- Provided ongoing assessment, problem-solving and skill teaching to assist individuals with activities of daily living.
- Assisted individuals in identifying and re-engaging with family, friends and other natural supports to build support system..
- Increased awareness of and supported participation in self-help and advocacy organizations.
- Built relationships with others based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
- Facilitated recovery-focused peer support sessions, reinforcing self-advocacy, hope, and wellness goals.
- Guided individuals through crisis de-escalation using trauma-informed, person-centered support techniques.
- Collaborated with treatment teams to align peer services with individualized recovery plans.
- Documented service interactions accurately, maintaining compliance with behavioral health record standards.
- Connected clients with community resources, including housing, benefits, and recovery supports.
- Mentored newer peer specialists on rapport-building, boundaries, and recovery-oriented communication.
- Advocated for client preferences during service planning, strengthening engagement and treatment participation.
- Facilitated therapeutic recreational activities designed to build social connections among peers while promoting physical well-being.
- Participated in clinical staffing meetings and coordinated with clinical staff to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Transported individuals to medical appointments and support meetings whenever needed.
Education
No Degree - Early Childhood Education/Special Education
Carlow College
Pittsburgh, PAHigh School Diploma -
Serra Catholic High School
McKeesport, PA06-1996
Skills
- Peer advocacy
- Mental health awareness
- Recovery planning
- Behavior management
- Resource navigation
- Service navigation
- Mental health services
- Recovery support
- Community resources
- Self-care techniques
- Stress reduction
- Wellness strategies
- Relapse prevention
- Analytical skills
- Boundary setting
- Connecting clients to services
- Facilitating group activities
- Professional development
- Family support
- Family assistance
- Relationship building
- Arranging transportation
- Coordinating client meetings
- Motivational techniques
- Service coordination
- Collaboration skills
- Mental health support
- Leadership skills
- Direction provision
- Rapport building
- Strong communication
- Relationship cultivation
- Positive facilitation
- Emotional support
- Professional development
- Analytical skills
- Time optimization
- Time management
- Task management
- Task management
- Multitasking Abilities
- Strong communication
- Exemplary communication
- Self motivation
- Listening skills
- Professional development
- Emotional support
- Task prioritization
- Promoting client motivation
- Interpersonal skills
- Conflict resolution
- Continuous learning
Timeline
Certified Peer Support Specialist/ CFRS
Unity Recovery
07.2025 - Current
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Chartiers Center
10.2020 - 11.2024
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Trinity Health
05.2018 - 06.2021
No Degree - Early Childhood Education/Special Education
Carlow College
High School Diploma -
Serra Catholic High School