Disclaimer: I do not provide ABA services or direct behavior intervention.

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When I was 15 years old and struggling to find my place among my peers, a therapist suggested I volunteer somewhere I could help other kids. That single recommendation changed the direction of my life. I began volunteering as a peer mentor with autistic children and was hired at 16 as a recreational coach. I felt like I belonged for the first time in my life.

After graduating from high school, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2008 from Illinois State University (ISU), where I spent 2 years working in the ISU Autism Program in its early days.

Throughout college, I worked for two local agencies that provided residence and care in supporting adults with developmental disabilities in group homes.

After moving to Springfield, I went on to work in children’s residential care at Hope in Springfield, IL. I began as direct care staff and was quickly recruited as a residential supervisor for several years.

I cared deeply for the children, and I grew confident and skilled in my ability to

manage behavioral crises. However, I grew frustrated and felt helpless in my role from seeing the same children in the same crises for months to years. I wanted to understand the root causes of behavioral issues and create real solutions, rather than simply managing behaviors after they escalated.

I wanted to work in Hope’s behavior department, so I made the difficult decision to leave a place that had become my second home, and I decided to move to Chicago to pursue my Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

I completed an internship at a program aimed at teaching life skills to children with autism and completed a thesis on training direct care staff and their supervisors in behavior management programming.

I graduated with my M.S. in ABA in 2014 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). As planned, I returned to Hope as a BCBA where I would stay for six years. In that role, I worked with children of all kinds of needs and abilities, collaborating with families, teachers, and professionals both in homes and school settings. I supported a wide range of behaviors including aggression, elopement, self-injury, and property destruction.

I then spent two years working with disabled adults in group homes and day programs as a BCBA before leaving ABA behind, choosing not to renew my board certification, and becoming a stay at home parent.

When I found myself entirely unequipped to help my neurodivergent child, despite all of my education and experience, I realized that I needed to learn as much as I could about everything I could.

As I began diving into the neuroscience and development in neurodivergent folks, I embarked on my own journey of self-discovery and healing. While I was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child, it wasn’t until adulthood that I would learn that I have autism as well.  

In order to help my child, I had to go back in time and ask the girl I used to be what she needed back then. This would lead me on a quest to learn about my own brain, nervous system, body, communication, sensory needs, and so much more.

Now, I fight for my child to have the supports they deserve. And in my successes, I find myself worrying about all of the children lacking support, and their desperate, exhausted parents.

And Raising Phoenix was born.

I can’t wait to meet you and your magical kids.