Todd Berney-Ficklin
Palm Desert,CA
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Certified Peer Support Specialist with 11 years of experience supporting individuals facing mental health, substance use, trauma, and life-transition challenges. Skilled in building trust through lived experience, advocacy, active listening, crisis support, and recovery-oriented care. Passionate about empowering individuals to achieve stability, wellness, and personal growth through person-centered support and community connection. Seeking to bring strong peer engagement skills, empathy, and commitment to equitable mental health care.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Peer Support Specialist
MFI Recovery
Palm Springs, California
09.2021 - Current
- Provide peer-based support and mentorship to individuals in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges.
- Assist clients with goal setting, wellness planning, coping skills, and accessing community resources.
- Facilitate support groups focused on recovery, emotional wellness, relapse prevention, and personal growth.
- Build trusting relationships through active listening, empathy, advocacy, and shared lived experience.
- Support clients in developing independent living skills, healthy routines, and self-advocacy.
- Assist with crisis intervention and de-escalation while maintaining a safe and supportive environment.
- Document client interactions, progress notes, and recovery goals in accordance with program requirements.
- Encourage hope, empowerment, and long-term recovery through strengths-based and person-centered support.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Recovery Innovations International
Palm Springs, California
04.2015 - 09.2021
- Provided peer support services to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and behavioral health challenges in recovery-oriented settings.
- Assisted clients with developing recovery goals, wellness plans, coping strategies, and daily living skills.
- Facilitated peer-led groups focused on emotional wellness, resilience, relapse prevention, and community reintegration.
- Offered compassionate support through active listening, encouragement, advocacy, and shared lived experience.
- Helped individuals navigate behavioral health systems and connect with housing, medical care, employment, and community.
- Supported crisis intervention and de-escalation efforts while maintaining a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.
- Completed documentation, progress notes, and client interactions in compliance with organizational and program standards.
- Promoted hope, empowerment, self-determination, and long-term recovery through strengths-based peer support services.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Geological And Earth Sciences
California State University, San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA 09.1996 - 06.2002
Orinda Academy
Orinda, CASkills
- Crisis intervention & De-escalation
- Wellness planning
- Goal setting
- Support group facilitation
- Active Listening
- Recovery-oriented support
- Community resource navigation
- Documentation & team collaboration
Certification
- Certified in First Aid/CPR
- Certified Peer Support Specialist
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Elementary
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Certified Peer Support Specialist
MFI Recovery
09.2021 - Current
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Recovery Innovations International
04.2015 - 09.2021
Bachelor of Science - Geological And Earth Sciences
California State University, San Bernardino
09.1996 - 06.2002
Orinda Academy