Ray Anne is a Certified Peer Specialist, she entered the field of peer support because she understands firsthand what it feels like to struggle without the kind of support that truly meets you where you are. Adopted from Oregon at eight years old, Ryanne moved to Johnstown and had to adjust to a new family, school, and community. The transition was not easy. Throughout her childhood, she experienced anxiety, depression, nightmares, and reactive attachment disorder, which made it difficult to form connections and feel safe. Although she spent years in counseling, she often felt unheard and misunderstood. As a teenager, she faced significant trauma, including sexual assault and self-harm, carrying much of that pain on her own.

Her recovery journey began at 26 after leaving a violent and abusive relationship that placed both her and her son in danger. That experience became a turning point, leading her to seek deeper healing through therapy, EMDR, CBT, and medication management under professional guidance. Over time, she learned that recovery is not about outward success or appearing “put together,” but about building safety, stability, and hope from within. In October 2021, Ryanne chose to become a CPS, turning her lived experience into a source of strength for others. Today, she uses her story to walk alongside individuals navigating their own mental health journeys, offering compassion, understanding, and the reminder that healing is possible and there is always light ahead.

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