Matthew Bonaker is seeking a position as a Certified Peer Specialist to provide support and education to consumers of mental health services. He has over 10 years of experience assisting peers in developing recovery plans, promoting recovery tools, and documenting progress. Matthew is trained in various peer support methods and has experience facilitating recovery groups and speaking engagements on mental illness and recovery.

1. ConfidentialRésumé​​of
MATTHEW F. BONAKER
470-262-5434 or matt.bonaker.cps@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a position as Certified Peer Specialist providing support and education to consumers of mental
health services and promote personal responsibility and empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery.
Summary of Experience
● Assisting Peers in skill building, goal setting, recovery dialogues and helping them build their own self­directed recovery tools.
● Supporting consumers in developing an IFFP with recovery goals and steps to obtain goals.
● Understanding structure of the Georgia mental health system, client rights, cultural competency, confidentiality and APS
Healthcare charting.
● Assisting Peers determine interventions based on life recovery goals, observing progress made and documenting on an ISP.
● Experienced facilitator in consumer focused recovery groups.
● Assisting non­consumer staff to identify program environments conducive to recovery; lend insight into proof of MI recovery.
● Attendance of treatment team meetings to promote consumer’s use of self­directed recovery tools.
● Marketing for dual­diagnosis, Behavioral Health Project.
Speaking Engagements
● GMHCN Recovery Rallies, Decatur Heights, Decatur, GA. – 2012, 2013
● Discovery and Focus Mental Health Fair, Decatur, GA. – 2013
● Emory School of Medicine on the stigma of mental illness ­. 2009 ­ 2012
● Gainesville Day Reporting Center on recovery and family support – 2009, 2010
● Druid Hills High School on mental illness and recovery – 2008 & 2009
● Hapeville Police Academy for Crisis Intervention Training on mental illness ­ 2007
● West Central Hospital in Columbus, GA. on Consumer Advocacy ­ 2005
Professional Experience
● Certified Peer Specialist ­ New Joshua Circle of Hope for Mental Wellness, Peer Center, Decatur GA: 2013 ­ 2014
● Certified Peer Specialist ­ GMHCN Peer Support and Wellness Center, Decatur GA: 2011 to 2013
● Certified Peer Specialist ­ Stand Incorporated, Behavioral Health Project, Decatur, GA: 2012 ­ 2013
● Certified Peer Specialist ­ The Quilt Transitional Services, ACT Team, Atlanta, GA: 2011 ­ 2012
● Certified Peer Specialist ­ Serene Reflections, ACT Team & CORE, Atlanta, GA: 2010 ­ 2011
● Certified Peer Specialist ­ Grady Health System, Peer Center / ADS & P.A.T.H. Team ­ Atlanta GA: 2006 ­ 2010
Education, Certifications, Trainings
● CPS ​[Certified Peer Specialist] Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Project
● W.R.A.P.​ Facilitator [Wellness Recovery Action Plan]
● W.H.A.M.​ Certified [Whole Health Action Management]
● CPI ​Trained [X3] Crisis Prevention Institute
● IPS ​Intentional Peer Support Trained
● TIPS ​Trauma­Informed Peer Support Trained
● NAMI ​Peer to Peer Recovery Mentor / Facilitator
● PATH ​Strategies for Strong Partnerships, Georgia PATH Housing: ​Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
● BM Ed​. Bachelors of Music Education Columbus State University, Columbus, GA.