Open to opportunities

Christine Butts

@christinebutts

Trauma-informed Recovery Navigator and Peer Support Specialist in training, guiding individuals to stability, resources, and sustained recovery.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to support people through trauma-informed, person-centered peer recovery work—stabilizing crises, building recovery capital, and connecting clients to care. I want a mission-driven team where ethical, evidence-based practice and trust-building are valued.

I’m a Compassionate and motivated Recovery Navigator/Peer Support Specialist in Training, completing a 72-hour peer recovery course and building supervised hours toward Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification.

In my current role with Recovery Corps & Public Defender’s Office, I provide lived-experience–informed peer support and recovery navigation for people impacted by substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and the justice system—especially during crisis stabilization and emotional de-escalation.

I conduct comprehensive psychosocial and recovery needs assessments to identify barriers to stability and treatment engagement, then connect clients to behavioral health services, substance use treatment programs, housing assistance, medical care, employment resources, and social network systems.

I’m committed to ethical, trauma-informed, person-centered care grounded in active listening, empathy, motivational interviewing, strengths-based engagement, and confidentiality—while collaborating with public defenders, case managers, probation/parole officers, and clinical providers to improve access to recovery resources.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Recovery Navigator / Peer Support

Current

Recovery Corps & Public Defender’s Office

Sep 2025 - Present (9 months)

Provided lived-experience–informed peer support and recovery navigation for justice-involved individuals and those with substance use and mental health challenges, including crisis stabilization, de-escalation, needs assessments, and referrals to treatment, housing, and essential services. Maintained HIPAA-compliant case documentation and collaborated with public defenders, case managers, probatio

Crisis Stabilization De escalation Motivational Interviewing Referrals

Self-Employed Hairstylist

Eric and Company Premiere Salon

Feb 2014 - Oct 2021 (7 years 8 months)

Managed an independent hairstyling business serving a diverse clientele, using empathetic, active listening–based communication to support clients through personal and emotional challenges. Handled scheduling and day-to-day operations while maintaining confidentiality and adapting communication styles to clients’ needs.

Active Listening Empathetic Confidentiality Scheduling Customer Service Business Operations Cultural Sensitivity

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

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Medicaid & FAMIS Enrollment Training

Activities and societies: Live training completed (May 2026) covering eligibility screening, enrollment assistance, renewals, benefits, managed care, documentation, and appeals for Virginia Medicaid/FAMIS.

Completed live training on Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS eligibility, including application processing, enrollment assistance, renewals, benefits, and managed care programs. Trained to support eligibility screening, application completion, documentation requirements, appeals, and access to healthcare coverage resources.