2025 Tennessee All Peer Conference

Bruce Huffman - A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist since 2019, Bruce Huffman aims to lead with heart, creativity, and purpose. As Director of Member Engagement, he oversees TMHCA’s Memphis Peer Support Center along with seven PeerLINK program sites statewide. Blending his theatre background with his passion for recovery, Bruce hopes to inspire others to rediscover their voices and embrace their own stories of growth. Active in TMHCA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, he believes recovery is a shared journey—built on compassion, respect, and the power of uplifting one another through every challenge toward hope and self-empowerment.

Jordan Young's dedication to the peer support movement is rooted in his own recovery experience. Since starting at TMHCA as an Employment Specialist and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in 2019, Jordan advocates for peer-delivered services and recovery education that leads to more person-centered, trauma-informed, and resilient communities. He is also passionate about supporting individuals as they achieve their employment and educational goals. Leading TMHCA's Individual Placement and Support Employment Initiative, Jordan strives to promote wellness through employment. Now in a leadership role, Jordan’s focus is supporting and developing his team as they carry out TMHCA’s mission to promote recovery and community through peer support, education, and advocacy for all mental health consumers in Tennessee. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys coaching baseball with his two sons, playing golf, and camping.

Session Description

The goal of this workshop is to highlight key elements of Wellness and Recovery principles in the workplace bringing awareness to the importance of empowerment, self-advocacy, and cultural empathy. As peers, leaders, and facilitators, Bruce Huffman and Jordan Young will lead an interactive learning experience empowering others to honor where they are at while simultaneously entrusting someone in the workplace for support. From a leadership perspective, Bruce and Jordan will share their experiences as peer supervisors. Included in this presentation will be references to Wellness Recovery Action Plan including the values and ethics and key concepts. This workshop can benefit anyone interested in learning about fundamentals of WRAP or ways to incorporate WRAP into their professional lives as they develop into leaders of the peer support movement.

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Aneta Eichler is a compassionate leader, educator, and program manager dedicated to empowering families and strengthening communities through trauma-informed, hope-centered practices. With over twenty years of experience in education, family support, and community development, she has built a career grounded in empathy, collaboration, and sustainable growth. As Program Manager with TN Voices, Aneta leads a team of Family Support Specialists who walk alongside families navigating barriers and life transitions. Her work focuses on developing strong systems of support, cultivating resilience, and creating safe spaces for healing and empowerment. Before joining TN Voices, Aneta served with the University of Tennessee Extension, where she designed and led family and youth development programs that inspired connection, leadership, and lifelong learning. Aneta holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Middle Tennessee State University.

Session Description

This presentation explores the critical role of boundaries in peer support work, highlighting how intentional and compassionate boundary-setting enhances productivity, efficiency, and well-being, while strengthening the capacity of families to thrive independently. Designed for Peer Support Specialists and professionals working in family-centered roles, the session will offer both conceptual insights and practical tools for using boundaries as a method of sustainable engagement and empowerment. We begin by defining boundaries in peer support as the intentional guidelines that help clarify roles, maintain emotional safety, and support mutual respect between professionals and the families they serve. Boundaries are not barriers; rather, they are bridges that allow for safe, structured, and authentic relationships. A key focus of the presentation is empowering families—not fixing them. Empowerment is grounded in mutual respect, listening, and validating family strengths, and it requires peer support staff to walk alongside rather than lead from the front. The role of a Peer Support Specialist is to offer guidance, encouragement, and lived experience to model hope, resilience, and shared learning—not to rescue or control outcomes. We’ll explore why boundaries matter, emphasizing how they: Protect well-being of both the worker and the family by preventing emotional exhaustion and blurred lines; Support role clarity, ensuring that everyone understands the purpose and limits of the support relationship; Build trust, as clear expectations create a predictable and respectful environment; Enhance efficiency, by keeping support efforts focused, intentional, and manageable. The session will also address the risks of overstepping boundaries, such as creating unhealthy dependency, experiencing emotional burnout, or undermining a family’s natural decision-making abilities. Participants will reflect on the delicate balance between helping, abandoning, and empowering—learning when to lean in, when to step back, and how to nurture independence rather than reliance. Key strategies will include: Practicing co-learning and collaborative problem-solving, where families are treated as experts in their own lives; Working together rather than doing for, by offering tools, encouragement, and space for families to take ownership of their goals; Strengthening families’ ability to self-advocate, fostering long-term resilience and confidence. By the end of the presentation, participants will walk away with a refreshed understanding of how healthy boundaries don’t distance us from the families we serve—they make it possible to serve them more effectively, compassionately, and sustainably.

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My name is Roger Clem.  I am a retired audiologist that has had the opportunity to work around the world and perform educational, academic, industrial, manufacturing, and medical audiology. I have a considerable amount of experience with clients and parent education and counseling concerning hearing loss. My first position and my university training involved working with the deaf and hard of hearing persons. My first job was being employed in the Kentucky school for the Deaf. The deaf population has much higher percentages of depression, other mental illnesses and substance abuse disorder and improper drinking. The Adult Deaf Community was active in working with me and I learned a great deal about Deaf Culture. I had experience working with disorders but could not recognize any disorder within myself. I retired from Audiology in June 2019.I transitioned to the non-working world by enrolling at my local university. Things changed radically with the Covid 19 shutdown of 2020. I dealt with isolation and depression by self-medicating to the point where I did not think that I could manage or control my behavior. I recognized the need for professional intervention. Therefore, I contacted a behavioral health facility and began treatment for Major Depressive Disorder and Substance Abuse Disorder. Part of the treatment afforded me the opportunity to be involved in Yoga, and I found an instance where I felt complete peace and relaxation; I felt at one with the Universe. I believe that I was in a transcendental moment. During this time frame, I began studying Tai Chi Chuan (TCC). I was fortunate to find Tai Chi study, at this moment, in my recovery. TCC is a practice with slow and circular body movements that have the spine as the center of elliptical flow. This is a dynamic process of linking opposites with a series of steps and arm positions in an almost liquid stream of body movement. These linked postures also flow within a rhythm pattern. Tai Chi has been referred to as “meditation in motion”. In short, I learned and experienced how to effectively use my breathing, physical movements, and visualization to calm my mind and my body. I learned that by practicing these principals in isolation every day that my personal well being was nurtured. I learned that the Daoist principals of Eastern philosophy were virtually identical to the modern movement of mindfulness. My calmness has been sustainable. I have found that my physical balance is a reflection of my mental and psychological balance. I personally can testify that my well being is greatly enhanced by daily practice of TCC principles.

Session Description

Compassion fatigue is the rule rather than the exception for Peer Specialists. The CPRS population needs skills for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. In my opinion, mental hygiene during personal time is an important act of self-love. Giving yourself a break allows you to be at your best for others when they need you the most. I view my Tai Chi and QiGong personal practice the same way that I view putting my oxygen mask on before I try to help others. Very early in my recovery, I had an experience during a yoga session that made me aware of a sudden internal calmness and a feeling of peace. I searched and practiced Yoga with the intent of capturing more transcendent moments. During my quest for calm, I had the serendipity of taking an introduction to Tai Chi Chuan on Zoom during the lockdown. The time frame was within three months of a structured rehab. This presentation explores my personal exercise for self-care. I hope that I can explain my methodology to provide insights that can translate to your own personal practice for recharging and relaxation. I will be using terminology from Yoga and Tai Chi Chuan and Daoism because I have learned my skill set from those disciplines. Basics. Let’s start with the basics. I propose that nothing is more basic than a deep breath and a heartbeat. Now build into the cardio and the respiration a vertical alignment that is held together with relaxed muscle. Tai Chi is a physical dance that connects opposing directions and energies. Tai Chi is also a philosophy that connects opposing ideas and mental conflicts into resolution or coexistence. We shall begin with an upright posture feeling that our spine drops one pearl at a time downward like pearls. The inhale is done with the visualized intention of filling the belly to where it is inflated forward. As you exhale, feel the abdominal muscles tighten as you push the air outward. I breathe in and out through my nostrils. I want to inhale for a count of five and exhale for a count of five. My tongue is sitting on the top of my mouth on the palette. Again, I want to stand tall but not stiff. Be erect and relaxed like bamboo. Notice where you are holding tension: neck, shoulders, hands, forearms, back, etc. Try and will away the tension or take a minute to shake the affected area. Relaxation is very important so also try and blank your mind except for the feeling of breathing in and expelling the breath. Your framework is the alignment of Head over Heart over Pelvis over Foot Arch (the knees are slightly bent). Forty Five minutes will be spent working the people through abdominal rhythmic breathing. The breathing will be used to move the arms in circular motion. The entire flow of breath and body tissues will be circular. From motions to relax the body and promote moving with the conscious breath. The next step is to move in balance and balance the breath and movement. The very basics of a few tai chi postures will be explained and done together. Today’s time slot is only an example of one person’s practice and calm routine.

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Kate Parsons is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist that serves as the Faith-Based Coordinator for Southeast Tennessee with the Hamilton County Coalition. In this role, she equips faith communities and organizations with evidence-based training on mental health, substance use disorder, and recovery. 

She is a certified facilitator for nationally recognized programs including WRAP, BRIDGES, STRIDE, and NAMI’s In Our Own Voice. Kate has shared her message of recovery and resilience with audiences across Tennessee and beyond—from Philadelphia to Wisconsin—speaking at conferences for mental health professionals, educators, and community leaders. Her sessions invite people to see addiction and mental illness through a lens of dignity, science, and hope.

Beyond her facilitation work, Kate serves as Vice President of the Advisory Board for the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Family Empowerment, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association, and as a Board Member of the Fannie Mae Crumsey Foundation.

Session Description

Abstract: Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for healing, connection, and change. In the field of mental health and substance use recovery, personal stories hold the power to challenge stigma, foster community, and influence systems. This interactive and heartfelt presentation explores how sharing your recovery story—whether related to mental illness, substance use disorder, or other life challenges—can be a catalyst for personal growth and collective transformation. Rooted in both research and lived experience, “The Power of Your Story” uses science, storytelling, and soul to help participants understand how the human brain is wired to connect through narrative. Drawing on SAMHSA’s inclusive definition of recovery—“a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential”—this session invites all attendees, whether in personal recovery or professional roles, to view themselves as storytellers with healing to offer. Participants will also explore concepts such as recovery capital, vicarious resilience, safe self-disclosure, and re-traumatization. Through honest personal examples, research-backed insights, and practical tools, attendees will leave feeling empowered to use their voice intentionally, safely, and powerfully.

 Learning Objectives By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe how personal storytelling can build individual recovery capital and support mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness (Granfield & Cloud, 1999; White, 2009). 2. Recognize the role of storytelling in reducing stigma, building community, and promoting systemic change, including shifts in public perception and policy (Corrigan, 2011; Barry et al., 2014). 3. Apply safe and trauma-informed storytelling practices, including how to avoid re-traumatization and foster vicarious resilience in listeners (Hernandez et al., 2007; Meichenbaum, 2006; Pennebaker, 1997).

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Alonzo Cheeks is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, entrepreneur, and advocate for second chances. After founding So Fresh So Clean Hospitality in 2006, his recovery journey inspired a life of service, mentorship, and community impact. He’s a CPRS Supervisor, WRAP Level Two Facilitator, and serves on advisory boards for TennCare, BlueCare Network, and Project Return—where he helps shape policies that support successful reentry and recovery. Alonzo blends business leadership with lived experience, connecting individuals to vital resources and empowering others to grow through recovery. His work spans mental health advocacy, peer support, and safe bar training, all rooted in a commitment to transformation, dignity, and opportunity.

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Samantha Brown is the Program Director at Thistle & Bee, where she oversees the organization’s intensive residential therapeutic program and its outpatient services at the Healing Hive & Wellness Center. She supports women transitioning out of commercial sexual exploitation and addiction through trauma-informed, survivor-led care. A Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), and trauma-informed yoga instructor, Samantha combines professional expertise with lived experience and a deep commitment to sustainable healing. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social work.

With over three years on the clinical team, Samantha now leads program development, facilitates recovery groups, and provides holistic support through sobriety consultations, trauma-informed yoga, and life skills training. She also guides long-term follow-up and post-graduation support, helping track progress and measure the lasting impact of recovery services.

From 2023 to summer 2025, Samantha served as a consultant for the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition, advising on commercial sexual exploitation at outreach events and syringe service programs (SSPs). She also speaks at local and international conferences on peer recovery, resilience, and healing justice.

Session Description

Holding Space: Trauma-Informed Peer Support from Lived Experience is a peer-led, conversation-driven workshop designed for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS), Certified Family Support Specialists (CFSS), Certified Young Adult Peer Specialists (CYAPSS), and all peers working with trauma-impacted individuals. This session begins with an honest and personal opening about the feelings many peers share—how talking about trauma can feel intimidating, not because we don’t know it, but because we’ve lived it deeply. By naming this reality, the workshop creates a safe, non-judgmental space for peers to connect as equals, recognizing that we come from experience, not textbooks. Rather than a formal lecture, this workshop invites participants into a genuine conversation about how trauma shows up in peer work and everyday life. Together, we’ll explore common trauma responses in simple language and share practical grounding and self-regulation tools that peers can use immediately—like breathwork, sensory exercises, and the Backpack Visualization guided exercise, where we imagine the burdens we carry and reflect on their impact. The session emphasizes listening, empathy, and connection over “fixing” feelings. It highlights how to hold space with curiosity and kindness—for others and ourselves—especially when emotions rise during peer support. Healthy boundaries and self-care strategies will also be discussed to help peers maintain their presence without becoming overwhelmed. Interactive elements, including group sharing and experiential exercises, ensure that participants leave with practical skills and a sense of community support. The goal is to empower peers to meet people where they are, grounded in lived experience and genuine connection—the very essence of peer support.

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Jennifer King, CPRS, CPRS-J is a passionate mental health advocate and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist with lived experience in long-term recovery from generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, addiction, justice involvement, and childhood trauma. Jennifer's early life was marked by profound challenges including abuse, homelessness, and poverty. Through resilience and determination, she has transformed her experiences into a source of strength and hope. Jennifer is currently employed by the Tennessee Mental Health Consumer's Association as an IPS Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), where she supports individuals on their recovery journeys by sharing her lived experience and professional expertise. Additionally, she serves as chairman of the Van Buren County Prevention Coalition, leading community efforts focused on prevention, education, and promoting wellness. Jennifer holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is pursuing a Master of Legal Studies from Vanderbilt Law. This advanced legal education empowers her to advocate for systemic reforms in mental health care and the justice system, bridging the gap between lived experience and policy. Her healing journey has been guided by faith, building a strong support system, and continually educating herself about mental health. Jennifer believes that recovery is possible for everyone, no matter where they are on their path. She is deeply committed to raising mental health awareness and supporting others through advocacy and leadership. Jennifer's message is clear: you are not alone, and with the right resources and support, it is possible to get well, stay well, and live a life filled with purpose and meaning. Through her work, she strives to inspire hope and empower individuals and communities facing similar struggles

Elizabeth Fredericks is an Associate Director of Employment, Education, and Advocacy and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist at the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association. Elizabeth lives with generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.  She has always harbored a profound dedication to assisting others, a commitment she fulfills through her current profession. In her role, Elizabeth not only leads the teams but also actively engages in serving members, advocating for their needs, and serving as a living embodiment of the principles of recovery. Her educational background includes the attainment of two bachelor's degrees from Carson-Newman University, specializing in Psychology and Human Services. Beyond her professional endeavors, Elizabeth cherishes quality time spent with her family, which includes seven fur babies, and friends. She is an enthusiastic video gamer, pickle eater, and avid reader. Moreover, she harbors a deep love for nature and can be described as a modern-day hippie.

Session Description

This workshop explores the vital role of peer support in the successful reentry and employment of justice-involved individuals. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how lived experience and mutual support can foster hope, accountability, and personal growth during the transition from incarceration to community life. The session will focus on identifying common employment barriers—such as stigma, gaps in work history, and mental health challenges—and offer practical, peer-based strategies for overcoming them. A key component of the workshop will be the application of Wellness Recovery Action Plan® (WRAP) principles to enhance job readiness, resilience, and overall wellness. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to support justice-involved individuals in building sustainable pathways to employment and long-term recovery.

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Bryna Grant is a seasoned criminal justice attorney with over 24 years of experience in the courtroom—on both sides of the aisle. For nearly 17 years, she served as an Assistant District Attorney, fiercely advocating for justice and public safety. But in 2021, her life took a humbling and redemptive turn when she was arrested for DUI and housed in the very jail where she had once sent defendants. That experience shattered her illusions of control and began a profound journey of recovery, grace, and transformation.

Today, Bryna is a defense attorney and Certified Peer Support Specialist who brings a rare dual perspective—both prosecutor and defendant—to her work with clients and their families. Her firsthand experience with the criminal justice system, addiction recovery, and the 12 Steps allows her to support people not just legally, but emotionally and spiritually. She has worked the 12 Steps multiple times over the last four years and continues to find freedom in accountability, community, and faith.

Bryna uses her private office not only to represent defendants, but to educate families, demystify the legal process, and offer hope to those caught in the cycle of addiction and incarceration. Her clients benefit from her insider knowledge of prosecutorial procedures, her hard-won empathy, and her relentless advocacy for restoration over punishment.

Bryna lives with her husband of 25 years, two children and dog "Duke" in Hendersonville, TN. She is a sought-after speaker on recovery, grace in leadership, and peer support for justice-involved individuals. Whether standing before a jury or a room of women who’ve hit rock bottom, she is known for her raw honesty, humor, and ability to connect deeply with others. Her life and work prove that redemption is real—and that sometimes the most powerful advocates for justice are those who’ve been broken by it and chose to rise anyway.

Session Description

My workshop explores the powerful role of peer support in the lives of justice-involved individuals. Delivered from the firsthand perspective of a Certified Peer Support Specialist, this session highlights how authentic relationships, lived experience, and intentional connection offer hope beyond incarceration. Participants will learn how peer support is not only a bridge to reentry—it is a lifeline to dignity, purpose, and long-term recovery. Core Themes: • Community – “You don’t heal in isolation.” Justice-involved individuals often return to broken or nonexistent support systems. Peer support offers an alternative: a space where individuals feel seen, heard, and unjudged. We’ll examine how to build community that fosters accountability, connection, and healing. • Credibility – “I’ve been there, too.” The lived experience of a peer specialist is their greatest credential. We’ll explore how credibility opens doors that clinical or legal systems often can’t, and how peer specialists can use their stories to foster trust and model transformation. • Compassion – “Grace, not shame, is what breaks cycles.” True peer support centers compassion—not enabling or fixing—but standing beside someone in their process. We’ll dive into how trauma-informed compassion creates safety and helps individuals build resilience. Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, it is my goal that participants will be able to: 1. Define peer support in the context of justice involvement. 2. Identify the unique advantages of peer-led support in reentry. 3. Recognize the impact of storytelling and lived experience in building trust. 4. Apply strategies for fostering community, credibility, and compassion in peer settings.

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Keith Windsor is a dedicated Peer Support Supervisor and mental health professional with a dynamic background in recovery services, forensic peer support, and crisis intervention. With a strong foundation in psychology and addiction counseling, Keith brings over five years of experience serving diverse communities across Mississippi and Tennessee. He currently supervises a team of peer support specialists at the University of Memphis, managing operations across multiple clinics and time zones while maintaining the highest standards of HIPAA compliance and client care. Keith’s passion for helping others is rooted in his groundbreaking work as Mississippi's first forensic peer specialist. In this role, he provided essential support to incarcerated individuals, guiding them through the complexities of the criminal justice system while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers. His ability to lead with empathy, integrity, and clarity has earned him a reputation as a reliable advocate and skilled communicator in high-stress environments. In addition to his frontline work, Keith has played an instrumental role in implementing statewide forensic peer training initiatives through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. His background also includes roles in addiction recovery, crisis response, and behavioral health education, making him a well-rounded leader in the field. Keith holds a Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling from Memphis Theological Seminary (4.0 GPA), a Bachelor's in Psychology in Addictions from Purdue Global (Summa Cum Laude, 3.95 GPA), and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Memphis. Known for his motivational interviewing skills, cultural competence, and commitment to recovery guidance, Keith continues to uplift individuals on their journey toward wellness and reintegration, proving that recovery is possible with the right support and leadership.

Borden Barrows is a marketing professional turned peer recovery advocate whose life and career reflect the power of transformation and purpose. After building a successful marketing firm early in his career, Borden redirected his skills toward helping justice-impacted individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. He co-founded Hand2HeartDC, a peer-driven reentry organization, and serves as a lead facilitator and co-developer for SAFE Project’s I-FPRS program, training peers to work effectively within justice systems. Through his work, Borden bridges behavioral health, recovery, and reentry, championing the belief that lived experience is one of the most powerful tools for change.

Session Description

The presentation will include parts of the presenter's story, interwoven with mental health and substance use challenges, in the context of becoming justice involved. The origins of peer support for justice-involved clients will be detailed, as well as the presenter's origins as the first justice-involved peer in his home state. It will detail the process for creating that state's Forensic Peer designation. It will conclude with a summary of lessons learned and future goals for TN's CPRS-j designation, followed by a brief Q&A session.

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My name is Dakota Storm Austin, and I am native to Brooklyn, NY. I currently work with a coordinated specialty care team at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital working closely with young adults and their families. I have a daughter and two dogs. In my free time I like to bake, do Karaoke, and paint with my daughter. My goal is to finish school and become an art therapist and continue my work with young adults experiencing mental health challenges.

Session Description

Art is a powerful and accessible tool for emotional healing, personal expression, and community connection. While often perceived as elite or reserved for the talented, art is deeply embedded in everyday experiences—whether it's journaling, listening to music, or dancing—and can offer profound emotional relief. The author illustrates this through personal anecdotes: a friend found sudden emotional clarity through a song, and the author describes karaoke as a transcendent, mindful escape. These moments highlight how creating or engaging with art helps us release emotions, process internal struggles, and feel less alone. Art is also a recognized therapeutic tool used with trauma survivors, cancer patients, and individuals facing anxiety, depression, and PTSD. A 2016 study from Drexel University revealed that just 45 minutes of creative activity significantly reduced cortisol levels in 75% of participants. Beyond lowering stress hormones, art boosts serotonin and dopamine, enhancing mood and motivation. For those uncomfortable with verbal expression, art offers a non-verbal outlet to externalize complex emotions like grief, anger, and joy. Whether through painting, journaling, or music, the act of creation becomes a pathway to healing. Creative spaces provide safety and dignity, allowing individuals to reclaim identity and agency. Programs like NYC’s Theater of the Oppressed empower teens to explore social issues through performance, building empathy and critical thinking. Community art projects, such as murals, serve as symbols of pride and resistance, while also promoting healing and unity. The author shares a personal experience interning with a mural project in Brooklyn, emphasizing the transformative power of collective creativity. In mental health care, art plays a vital role in making invisible struggles visible. It helps break stigma and humanize conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Artistic expression allows patients to communicate experiences that are too complex or painful for words. Exhibitions of patient art, such as one hosted at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, offer clinicians a deeper understanding of those they treat, restoring humanity and voice to clinical interactions. These initiatives challenge stereotypes and foster empathy within the healthcare system. Finally, art can be seamlessly integrated into daily life and professional environments to enhance well-being. Simple practices like doodling, journaling, or listening to music promote mindfulness and reduce stress. In workplaces, art-based activities encourage creativity, collaboration, and communication. Whether through team murals or sketching sessions, creative engagement can improve problem-solving and strengthen interpersonal bonds. Ultimately, art is not just a luxury—it’s a vital tool for personal and collective wellness.

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Jarrod Dunn is a transformational leader who turned his pain into purpose. After serving 10 years in incarceration, he boldly rebranded his life and now empowers others to do the same. As the Region 3 South Lifeline Coordinator for the Hamilton County Coalition, Jarrod serves as a voice of hope and a bridge to recovery, mentorship, and opportunity.

He is the founder and owner of The TAP Program,a dynamic initiative that educates, empowers, employs, and houses returning citizens. Through TAP, Jarrod helps formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives, rediscover their worth, and re-enter society as leaders, not liabilities.

An author, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and dedicated Life Coach, Jarrod’s mission is clear: to use his story to inspire change, break cycles, and develop generational leaders in recovery and reentry spaces across Tennessee and beyond.

Session Description

This workshop is a motivational and interactive session designed to help peers recognize the value of their lived experience and overcome the imposter syndrome that often hinders them from fully walking in their purpose. Many Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS), Certified Family Support Specialists (CFSS), and Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialists (CYAPSS) struggle with feelings of inadequacy, questioning whether they’re “qualified” enough to help others simply because their path didn’t follow traditional routes. In this empowering workshop, participants will explore the root causes of imposter syndrome, such as comparison, shame, and perfectionism and how these internal struggles can silence their voice and impact. Through storytelling, practical tools, and peer-driven dialogue, attendees will learn to shift their mindset from insecurity to impact. Key topics will include: Understanding what imposter syndrome is and how it affects peer work Identifying personal strengths gained through lived experience Reframing your story as a platform for influence and leadership Learning to speak and serve from a place of authenticity and confidence Simple daily practices to overcome self-doubt and fear of judgment Participants will leave this session inspired, equipped, and ready to own their role as leaders in recovery because the very thing they thought disqualified them is actually what makes them powerful.

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