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Message A N N U A L R E P O R T2 02 4
Table of Contents3This Year in Review4Mission & Values5Expanding our Reach6Rebranding7Reach9New Trainings10Growing Access11Scholarships12Attendance14ND Colorado Networking Group16Updated Referral List17Members Only Area18Impact
THIS YEAR INREVIEWPhoenixIn 2019, I founded the Art of Self-Healing Center to teach everything I thought was missingfrom traditional talk therapy. Born out of my own personal struggles as an AuDHDer intherapy, I felt determined to right the wrongs of over a dozen therapists and psychiatrists Ihad seen. On top of this, my own clients shared similar experiences, and my differentapproach was life-changing for them. For the first few years of the project's existence, I self-funded it and dedicated at least 20 hours a week. In the first few years, I faced countlessobstacles, naysayers, and financial problems. When I look back on 2024, I feel a deep sense of pride at all we've accomplished. We've comeso far since 2019. We've rebranded from the Art of Self-Healing Center to Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy Training Institute, we've created a complex website with many freeofferings and resources, produced two new trainings, released an on-demand Neurodiversity101 training, and have increased our presence in our communities. Just to name a few! Ourcontinued growth speaks to the need for neurodiversity-affirming practices in the mentalhealth field, and we couldn't have done all of this without you.There are many people I would like to thank. To start, a huge thank you to my Lead Trainerand Marketing Assistant, Ari Levine. They've been nothing short of Godsent and have createda strong foundation for NAPTI. Without them, our growth would be miniscule in comparison.I also want to thank the members of the Neurodivergent Therapists of Colorado NetworkingGroup. You've supported me and my work, given me hope and inspiration, and helped meattune to what neurodivergent mental health providers are going through in our field. Lastly,I want to thank my supervisor, Elena Davis. An ADHDer herself, Elena has not only been anamazing clinical teacher but has been tirelessly supportive of my training and consultingwork. She's been an important sounding board and given me the feedback I've needed. My hopes for 2025 include greater expansion of our reach. I plan to produce new trainingsand train more mental health professionals throughout the country. I plan to expandnetworking efforts in the NY/NJ area, where I am also licensed. I plan to expand consultingoffers as a clinical supervisor after I (finally) receive my LCSW later this year. Thank you all for being part of this amazing journey! I hope you'll keep supporting us andlook for ways to be involved. 3
O U R V A L U E SWANT TO KNOW MORE?VISIT OUR WEBSITE:WWW.NAPTI.ORGMISSION & VALUESTo create an evidence-based,neurodiversity-affirming therapy model toheal chronic stress and trauma forneurodivergent people, and train mentalhealth professionals worldwide. O U R M I S S I O NNAPTI has a greater vision to createmainstream awareness about neurodiversityand address oppressive practices on asystematic level. We believe that "disorders,"like Autism and ADHD, are not trulydisorders, but are a different type of brainstructure due to our human evolution. Ourcurrent modern environment isoverstimulating, intense, and overwhelmingfor those with such sensory sensitivities. Thesymptoms marked as disorders aresymptoms that appear due to chronic stressand trauma of these neurodivergentindividuals. You are not broken, our world is. Let's work towards making the world abetter place for future generations.O U R V I S I O NNeurodiversity-AffimringTrauma-InformedCulturalCompetencyEvidence-InformedCutting-EdgeLived-Experience
With our growth, Phoenix sought supportby bringing on Ari as our MarketingAssistant and Lead Trainer in April 2024.They have supported Phoenix indeveloping curriculum, managingbusiness needs, and leading trainings.W E L C O M E A R I !EXPANDING OURREACHA B O U T A R I L E V I N E( T H E Y / T H E M )As a former K-12 educator, turnedcounseling student, Ari is passionateabout supporting individuals ininvestigating their truths and living ameaningful and authentic life. Theirlived experiences have made themeager to support trans and gendernon-conforming, queer,neurodivergent individuals, andthose who exist in nontraditionalfamily structures. They are dedicatedto integrative, eclectic,neurodivergent-affirming, anti-ableistapproaches that are strengths-based,person-centered, and that honorintersectionality. They seek tocultivate a practice that subvertstraditional power dynamics,celebrates individuals, and activelydismantles white supremacy in thehopes of repairing the harm causedby the historical pathologizing ofmarginalized individuals.5
T H E A R T O F S E L FH E A L I N G B E C O M E SN A P T IREBRANDINGWhen Phoenix founded ASHC in 2019, zirmission was to provide education to fill inthe gaps of traditional talk therapy andbetter support complex trauma survivors.With the discovery of Phoenix's ownneurodivergence in 2021 and servingprimarily ADHD/Autistic clients, zewanted to rebrand with this newpopulation in mindIn June 2024, we officially rebranded torepresent more fully our long-termmission and vision. NAPTI became areality.“I am honored and beyond excited to belaunching the Neurodiversity-AffirmingPsychotherapy Training Institute (NAPTI).I hope to create a wave of long-lastingchange and deep healing forneurodivergent people everywhere. Ihope you'll join our movement.”- Phoenix Rising, LSW
SOCIAL MEDIAREACHI N S T A G R A MF O L L O W E R S5 2 8F A C E B O O KF O L L O W E R S4 3 5N E W S L E T T E RS U B S C R I B E R S5 , 7 8 27
NEW REACH1 0 6N E W W E B S I T ES U B S C R I B E R S1 3 9F I R S T - T I M E N A P T I C L I E N T S4 4T H E R A P I S T SA C C E S S E DC O N S U L T A T I O N &C O L L A B O R A T I O N8
This training covers suicide risk factors inADHD, Autistic, and Trans populations,including unique challenges like isolationand discrimination. Participants will learnsuicide assessment tools, safety planning,and referral strategies, with insights frompolyvagal theory for prevention.S U I C I D E P R E V E N T I O N F O RN E U R O D I V E R G E N T C L I E N T SNEWTRAININGSP O L Y V A G A L T H E O R Y A P P L I E DT O N E U R O D I V E R G E N TC L I E N T SThis training introduces and explainsNAPTI’s five-state polyvagal theory model asdeveloped by Phoenix Rising. We will coverkey nervous system differences for sensoryneurodivergent people and how modern-day life disables them. Additionally we coverhow this model explains chronic activationpatterns, such as GAD, PTSD, MDD, ADHDand Autism, and supports the healingprocess.N E W T R A I N I N G SWith our expansion, Phoenix sought to notonly revise and hone our current trainings,but also develop new relevant and evidencedriven trainings.
GROWINGACCESSAs part of our mission, we sought tosupport access to neurodiversity-affirming trainings for therapists andeducators at all points in their careers.For all our trainings, we offer full andhalf priced scholarships.We offer group and non-profitdiscounts.NASW Social Workers received adiscount for our “Suicide Preventionfor Neurodivergent Clients” as part ofSuicide Prevention Month.In June, we offered a free mini versionof our Neurodiversity 101 training, ledby our new lead trainer, Ari Levine. Arecording of this training was sharedwith Counseling Psychology studentsat the University of Denver as part oftheir mandatory training for theirrotation in DU’s Counseling andEducational Services ClinicE X P A N D I N GA C C E S S A N DS C H O L A R S H I P S
SCHOLARSHIPS5 5S C H O L A R S H I P SA W A R D E D$ 5 4 8 5 . 7 5P U T T O W A R D SS C H O L A R S H I P S4 0U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E N V E RS T U D E N T S W I T H F R E ET R A I N I N G A C C E S S
Full Scholarship Half Scholarship No ScholarshipPolyvagal Suicide Prevention Nervous System01020304011443312632191840ATTENDANCEType of Attendance by TrainingThis year, we directly trained 183psychotherapists in neurodiversity-affirming interventions. This markssignificant growth in our mission to fosterinclusive and effective care forneurodivergent clients. Our programscontinue to expand, empowering mentalhealth professionals with the knowledgeand tools to integrate strengths-based,neurodiversity-affirming practices intotheir work.1 8 3 P E O P L E T R A I N E DMini ND 10186ND 10146NVS Regulation40Polyvagal Theory19Suicide Prevention18For all of our trainings,we offer access toscholarships. This graphshows the breakdownthe percentages ofthose who receivescholarship to attendour trainings (exceptND 101, see next page).B R E A K D O W NO F A C C E S S12
NEURODIVERSITY101 BREAKDOWNFull Scholarship RecipientHalf Scholarship RecipientFree Mini Training AttendeeTraining AttendeeFree DU Student AccessOrganizational Training AttendeeYouTube Recording Viewer13Full ScholarshipRecipients1Half ScholarshipRecipients86Free Mini TrainingAttendees32Training Attendees40Free DU StudentAccess 52Organizational TrainingAttendees209YouTube RecordingViewers433TraineesTotalA V E N U E S O FA C C E S S
ND COLORADONETWORKING GROUPThe Neurodivergent Therapists of Colorado Networking Group is for licensedmental health therapists in Colorado who are sensory neurodivergent (e.g.ADD/ADHD, HSP, Autistic, etc). We have monthly online meetings and a Facebookgroup page. Our goal is to create an authentic community of neurodivergentpractitioners to build social connections, networking/referral partners, andcollaborate on larger projects.A B O U T21 THERAPISTS attended monthly meet upsT H I S Y E A R ’ S S T A T SThis coming year, a few of our founding members will be creating a similar groupfor neurodivergent therapists licensed in the New Jersey and New YorkMetropolitan Area. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2749157685256175E X P A N D I N G O U R N E T W O R K S91 NEURODIVERGENTTHERAPISTSare Facebook group membersOVER 300 NETWORKINGPOSTSwere created in our Facebook groupOVER 820 COMMUNITYRESPONSESoccurred to community posts
Phoenix RisingPresident, Founding MemberLila Low-BeinartVice President,Founding MemberLily DuffyTreasurer, Founding MemberSusannah HorwitzCommunity Events Coordinator,Founding MemberBritt RaskyFounding Member,Facebook ModeratorAnnabelle DenmarkFacebook ModeratorAri LevineSecretary, Facebook AdminChelsea AugustoFounding MemberCO NETWORKINGGROUP LEADERSHIP15
UPDATEDREFERRAL LISTWhat initially began as a basic spreadsheetlisting neurodiversity-affirming providers inColorado has evolved into a fully searchableand filterable directory of neurodiversity-affirming providers and businesses. Launched just this month, we hope thiswebpage will serve as a valuable resource.Not only streamlining the search process forindividuals seeking support, but alsoempowering them to find providers who arespecifically committed to understandingand affirming neurodivergent individuals'unique needs. Part of this has been toexpand the types of providers andbusinesses we are vetting and including.Check out our referral list:www.napti.org/referral-listO U R N E W N E U R O D I V E R S I T Y -A F F I R M I N G R E F E R R A L L I S TINTERESTED IN JOINING OURREFERAL LIST?SIGN UP HERE:WWW.NAPTI.ORG/REFERRAL-LIST-SUBMISSION
MEMBERS &SUBSCRIBER PERKSLaunched in November 2024, our newMembers-Only Area is a special benefitdesigned to enhance the experience forour dedicated subscribers. This excitingaddition provides access to a range ofperks, including early access to newresources, members-only content,exclusive discounts, and easy lifetimeaccess to training materials. We kicked off this new website area byhosting a lunch Q+A with Phoenix whichwas well received.By creating this space, we aim to offereven more value to our community,ensuring that our members have thetools, resources, and support they needto thrive. We’re excited to continuegrowing and providing these specialbenefits as a thank you to those whosupport and engage with our mission.Check it out here:www.napti.org/memberscontentN E W E X C L U S I V EM E M B E R S - O N L Y A R E A17
IMPACT“The content was thoroughly, succinctly, andclearly explained without using psychobabble orheavy academic vocabulary making it anengaging training that explains a huge socialjustice passion of mine.”“It was refreshing to hear a training fromsomeone who identifies within the population.You don't see that much and it makes itincreasingly insightful and easier to askquestions.”“1. I really appreciated the lived experience ofthe presenter about the content personally &professionally; 2. I loved the practical/tangibleresources (i.e. steps, charts, handouts) for thenervous system evaluation and the nervoussystem regulation plan. I'm familiar with thepolyvagal theory but often unsure how to use itwith clients. This gave really great practical,literal/tangible info on how to apply with clients;3. I found it really valuable to hear how to usepolyvagal theory in a neurodivergent-affirmingway; 4. The explanation of various diagnosesfrom a nervous system framework was helpful. Ihave thought about this in a more abstract waybut it was helpful to see laid out.”W H A T O U R A T T E N D E E E S S A Y
AWARDS &RECOGNITIONPhoenix was featured in Shoutout Colorado!Read the Article Here19