Michelle Zechner

Michelle Zechner is an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions in the School of Health Related Professions.  She has focused her career on helping people living with psychiatric disabilities and their families for the past 18 years.  She has worked in a variety of settings including nursing homes, outpatient services, training services, state psychiatric hospitals, and public mental health administration.  Currently, Michelle primarily consults with a state psychiatric hospital on the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices.  She also teaches undergraduate and graduate course within the department, and conducts research.  Michelle has presented locally and nationally at a number of venues on topics ranging from wellness and recovery to health promotion strategies for people with psychiatric illnesses.  She is on the board of the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and has co-authored several publications on health promotion and peer wellness coaching.  Her areas of interest are health promotion, recovery in aging, and wellness coaching.