Arnita McClinton
Arnita McClinton is a dedicated peer support specialist at Providence Hospital, with over a decade of experience in mental health and personal recovery. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming addiction, domestic violence, and mental illness, she empowers others to navigate their challenges with resilience and hope. Arnita combines professional expertise with life experience to help her peers regain their confidence and find purpose, using approaches that bring humor, connection, and encouragement into the healing process.
Beyond her hospital work, Arnita is deeply committed to her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, actively sharing biblical teachings to inspire hope and transformation. She also advocates for her community, providing resources, de-escalation support, and guidance to those facing mental health and addiction challenges. As a single mother of six, she balances her professional responsibilities with nurturing her family, demonstrating strength, perseverance, and compassion in all areas of her life. Arnita continues to expand her knowledge and professional skills to better serve her clients. Her dedication to peer support, advocacy, and faith-driven guidance has positioned her as a respected voice in mental health, inspiring others to overcome adversity and build a future filled with hope, healing, and purpose.
• Purdue University Global e-Diploma
• Kaplan University Davenport- Bachelor's
• National Collegiate Honor Student
• Jehovah's Witnesses
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience and finding the right opportunities—after a life-changing car accident and leaving my previous role, I discovered a position at Providence that truly aligns with my passion and skills. I also attribute my success to my father in heaven, Jehovah God because without him I wouldn't be alive today. The Bible tells us that it does not belong to man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Because I was willing to sit in passenger seat and allow him to take the wheel, I've succeeded in every plan that has been set.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was given to me from my mom, who said: "Give yourself to Jehovah first and all other things will be given". Thanks mom, I chose to do this because life is based not just on material things, none of what any of what have is of our doing. Whether we are spiritual or not, none of us got here by chance. The world is too full of evidence through the beautiful things we are surrounded by. Taking that advice and applying it in my life has given me much success, peace within myself and happiness in spite of the things happening in this broken world we live in.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Peer support is about walking with someone, not fixing them. Emphasize active listening, validation and mutual respect over giving advice or taking control of someone's situation. Use your lived experience wisely because they can relate and will feel of sense of comfort knowing that you've been where they are. Our stories are powerful and should be used intentionally-briefly, and only when it benefits the other person, not just to relate of vent. Remembering that we are here for them.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges as a peer support specialist are not being well-defined or respected in traditional mental health/substance use settings. An example of this is the peer role may get confused with case-management, administrative tasks, or clinical functions that it wasn't intended for. Remembering that peer specialist is never clinical. This can lead to feeling undervalued, frustration and role drift.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are family, friends, compassion, and dedication—supporting my children, especially my daughter recently diagnosed with brain cancer, guides both my spiritual, personal and professional life.
Locations
Arnita McClinton
Marysville, WA 98271