Hi, my name is Phoenix (they, them) and I’m on a mission to understand our struggles, one conversation at a time.

I’m a parent of an eight-year-old son and a has lived a long life struggling (and thriving) with mental health issues. This has led me to share my story at different venues and mediums.

After receiving my diagnosis of borderline personality disorder in 2007, I soon founded the only in-person, peer-led support group for borderline personality disorder in New York City at the time. I have also spoken of the hope, strength and vitality occurring within the borderline personality community at places like the National Institute of Mental Health, Yale University, School of Medicine, Columbia University, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness. I have also appeared on AOL Build, and has discussed borderline personality disorder with the First Lady of New York City, Ms. Chirlane McCray, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and then director of NIMH, Dr. Tom Insel.

I have been featured in the 2010 July/August issue of Scientific American Mind, the 2016 May issue of Women’s Health Magazine, Pamela Slim’s book, “Body of Work: Finding the Thread That Ties Your Story Together” from Portfolio, and a 2018 article on cosmopolitan.com. I have also written an article for Well+Good in September of 2019. I’m also excited to share that I just received top prize at the 2023 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition from the American Association of Suicidology.

I have been fortunate to have received the Fountain House Humanitarian Award in 2017 for this advocacy work. In 2010 I decided to chronicle the start of my amateur boxing career and my life with borderline personality disorder in a short documentary and blog called, “The Fight Within Us,” making my way to New York City’s Golden Gloves semi-finals. I continued my athletic venture by running my first half-marathon in Brooklyn to help raise funds for the borderline personality disorder research through the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

On a personal level, I want to start helping others by listening to their stories and create meaning out of their life experiences. I want to give voice to those not often heard. I’m not sure what that looks like, but I will keep on trying and experimenting until something works. In 2024 I will also be entering a graduate program in social work. The future looks bright! If any of this resonates with you, feel free to say hi, I look forward to hearing from you!