Phoenix is an authentic leader and speaker whose childhood trauma and healing experiences inform zir professional passions and pursuits as a neurodivergent person. Throughout zir training and professional career, Phoenix has experienced the way neurodivergent individuals are pathologized and viewed through the medical model adopted by the psychological profession. Phoenix seeks to change this framework within the healing profession by providing an alternative framework and healing modality for neurodivergent individuals.

“Why can't professionals see that we are not disordered, but instead we have different personality types (neurotypes) and have had to live through chronic stress and trauma with almost no relief?”

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Drawing upon disability advocacy frameworks and the neurodiversity paradigm, ze challenges that “disorders” lie solely within the individual. Instead, Phoenix’s anti-ableist, anti-racist lens, reframes “pathology” as normal and natural reactions to our modern-day stressors and lifestyle within an oppressive system that does not honor the needs of marginalized individuals.

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Most recently, Phoenix has served as the NASW Southwestern Region Co-Representative and been nominated for the 2024 Social Worker of the Year. Ze is also the president of Neurodivergent Therapists of Colorado Networking Group. Phoenix has been sought out for zir expertise, and recently joined Visit Durango's working group to create a more inclusive environment for tourists​ and community members.

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Phoenix’s personal and professional experiences have lead them to feel passionate about combating the harm often done by mental health professionals to marginalized populations. NAPTI was born out of wanting to fill the gap in professional training and continuing education that specifically provides neurodiversity-affirming interventions, and overtime create an evidence-based therapy model for neurodivergent clients.