April graduated with her Masters in Social Work with a concentration in integrated health from Western Carolina University. Prior to that she attended Florida State University for her Bachelors in Family Child Sciences and Social Sciences (Go Noles!). April is a Certified Peer Support Specialist in North Carolina.
April has spent the last decade working with teens/young adults and their families as a peer support specialist. April worked with youth and young adults struggling to navigate mental health challenges and trauma, on top of daily life. She focuses on empowerment through building self-advocacy, system navigation skills, and independence. April has worked with a wide variety of mental health diagnoses, and loves to learn about unique life experiences, cultures, and perspectives. April has worked a variety of internships and volunteer roles from Girl Scouts and teens in foster care, to unhoused adults with medical conditions.
April was drawn to this work through personal experiences with mental health challenges and learning disabilities, motivated to help others feel less stigmatized and alone on their journey. Humor and fun are wrapped into much of how she approaches coaching, because life is hard and laughing is good medicine. Her overall approach is collaborative and systems based, building a support system that will be in place long after coaching ends and problem-solving skills that can adapt to any future goals or barriers. April starts with walking side by side toward the identified goal then gradually step back into a cheerleader position.
April has supported young adults go from sitting in the back of team meetings being talked about like they weren’t there, to courageously standing in front of their supports leading brainstorming sessions. Someone finding their voice can be the hardest and most transformational experience that leads to infinite possibilities. April has worked with people who started out defeated and burned out of services to starting the session proudly relaying their accomplishments of the previous week. The distance between where someone is and where they could be is sometimes just about finding the right support person to show them they can reach it.
April spends most of her free time dancing, playing princess and chasing her two young girls. She loves crafting, going to local festivals, camping, playing with her dog, and most of all napping. She loves everything Disney, since she grew up just down the road and it was her first job.
