When Danielle Knapp describes her role at Capital Blue Cross, she talks less about job titles and more about connections.
As Capital’s first in-house peer specialist, Danielle represents a growing commitment to behavioral health support that meets members earlier, often before a situation becomes a crisis.
Peer specialists occupy a unique and increasingly important space in the behavioral health support system. In addition to formal training and state certification, peer specialists have lived experience with mental health conditions or substance use disorder.
That shared experience allows them to build trust with members.
“A peer specialist is another form of support, in addition to a therapist or psychiatrist,” Danielle said. “The difference is that we can share parts of our own experience – what worked, what didn’t, and how we navigated challenges – to help others along their journey.”
Filling the gaps in behavioral health support
At Capital Blue Cross, Danielle’s role may help bridge gaps in behavioral health support. She often works with members who are newly experiencing mental health challenges, are waiting to access therapy, or are hesitant to pursue formal treatment.
In these moments, peer support might keep symptoms from worsening and reduce the likelihood of inpatient hospitalization, according to studies.
Danielle supports a wide range of members, many of them older adults facing major life changes such as retirement, grief, chronic illness, or loss of independence. Others are stepping down from inpatient care and working toward stability at home or a return to work. Members typically work with her for about 90 days, though some relationships last longer.
“We meet people where they are,” Danielle said. “They tell me what their goals are and what they’re struggling with, and we go from there. Sometimes that means helping someone get connected to care. Other times it’s just being there while they figure out the next step.”
Showing up in moments of crisis
That flexibility becomes especially important when members are navigating complex or fragile situations.
In one recent case, a Capital Blue Cross member experienced a serious mental health crisis and uncertainty about seeking further care after an initial emergency department visit did not result in admission. When the member returned to the hospital for evaluation, Danielle went directly to the emergency department.
She stayed well into the evening, offering guidance and reassurance while advocating to the clinical team to ensure the member’s needs were understood. After the member was admitted for inpatient treatment, Danielle returned during visiting hours to check in, provide encouragement, and reinforce that support would continue beyond the hospital stay.
“That’s really what peer support looks like,” Danielle said. “Sometimes people need someone who can sit with them, help them feel heard, and walk through what comes next.”
From lived experience to professional training
Danielle’s path to becoming a peer specialist began after an 18-year career in corrections. Toward the end of that career, peer support played a meaningful role in her own life, inspiring her to pursue certification in both mental health peer support and substance use recovery.
In Pennsylvania, peer specialists are state-certified and required to maintain continuing education, similar to clinical professionals.
Before joining Capital, Danielle worked in inpatient psychiatric settings and helped build a peer support program through a third-party vendor. When Capital brought behavioral health services in-house in early 2025, she transitioned with the program – making history as the organization’s first internal peer specialist.
Today, Danielle sees the long-term value of that investment. Members call to share milestones – months without hospitalization, renewed independence, sobriety anniversaries, or simply the ability to reengage with life.
How to access peer support
Capital Blue Cross members can connect with a peer specialist in several ways.
Some are referred through Capital’s Care Management team based on their needs, while others may be introduced to peer support during transitions from inpatient care or when waiting to access other behavioral health services.
In many cases, peer support serves as an entry point – offering connection, guidance, and stability while members determine what kind of ongoing support is right for them.
Capital’s decision to embed peer support directly into its behavioral health strategy reflects a forward-thinking approach: addressing mental health needs sooner, strengthening community connections, and supporting members before they reach a crisis point.
For many members, Danielle is not just another resource – she is the steady and trusted bridge that helps them continue moving forward.
