Professional Foundation

With over a decade working in disability services and a Bachelor's Degree in Community Services, I've worked with everyone from newborn babies to the elderly. My experience spans disability support work with varying companies, child protection work with the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, emergency relief services with the Salvation Army, and four years volunteering across multiple charitable organizations. Becoming disillusioned with the close minded bureaucracy & limitations of larger organisations I set up my own organisation specialising in disability support for NDIS recipients and psychosocial recovery coaching with a focus on young to middle aged adults with neurodiversities. I refined my techniques for 5 years until my vision to set up my own organisation was fully realised.

What sets my approach apart is the integration of wholistic multi-pronged approaches & creative therapies with nature-based healing. As an multi-mediums artist & multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, guitar, piano, bass, synthesizer, vocals) with an Advanced Diploma in Audio Engineering, I've discovered the transformative power of music & art therapy—particularly in my work providing online piano instruction and therapy for non-verbal clients.

As a person with multiple extremely treatment resistant diagnoses I have spent decades thinking laterally and brainstorming about approaches that can actually help. I wanted to find a “cure!” ..maybe one day… But I do have an arsenal of tricks up my sleeves, & tools and techniques I will share with anyone who will listen. I continue to learn & refine every day.

The Phoenix Uprising Philosophy

Our name tells our story: rising from life's challenges stronger than before. Located on our private forested property with natural creek systems, Phoenix Uprising offers something unique in the NDIS landscape—a place where healing happens naturally, away from institutional settings and urban pressures.

Our "Beauty in Simplicity" approach focuses on:

• Connection: With nature, yourself, and supportive community

• Micro-Wellness: Small daily practices that create profound change

• Supported Adventure: Safe first experiences that build confidence

• Creative Expression: Music and art therapy in natural settings

• Sustainability: Learning eco-friendly living as personal empowerment

A Commitment to Authentic Support

I maintain my own psychiatric care, medication management, and regular psychological therapy—not as a limitation, but as a strength. It means I understand the ongoing nature of mental health support and can offer genuine, trauma-informed care from a place of lived experience.

Our sustainable property features 20 solar panels, working towards complete off-grid capabilities, and creative spaces, including outdoor art stations and a portable recording studio. Participants don't just visit our space—they experience a demonstration of resilience, sustainability, and the possibility of creating a life aligned with healing values.

Why Phoenix Uprising Matters

Every program we offer—from our "World’s Safest" camping experiences to professional therapeutic music and art creation sessions—is designed around one core truth: transformation happens when we feel truly safe, understood, and connected to something larger than our struggles.

Whether it's helping a teenager overcome camping anxiety in our completely safe environment (30 seconds from full house facilities), life hacks for single parents, or teaching practical life skills that prioritize wellbeing, every interaction is guided by genuine care and professional expertise.

Our Mission

Phoenix Uprising exists because I believe in the possibility of transformation for every person, regardless of their current challenges. Through the combination of professional disability support, therapeutic nature experiences, and authentic understanding of the recovery journey, we create space for participants to discover their own strength—just as I discovered mine.

The phoenix rises from ashes stronger than before. This is our promise to every participant: you are capable of your own rising.

Phoenix Uprising welcomes self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants seeking respite care that honors both your current needs and your potential for growth.

…further reading about my personal journey to Phoenix Uprising… (*trigger warning*)

My Journey to Phoenix Uprising

Twelve years ago, my world changed forever when I suddenly lost my wife, leaving me to navigate single parenthood with a 2 year old while wrestling with pre-existing complex post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, bipolar1, chronic pain, anxiety, & depression. In those darkest moments, I discovered something profound: healing starts small- often comes through the simplest acts—drinking water mindfully, gazing at the sky, touching tree bark, feeling sunlight on my skin. These micro-wellness practices became my lifeline and eventually shaped the philosophy behind Phoenix Uprising.

Today, I understand that my personal journey through trauma wasn't just my story—it was preparation for my calling. As both an NDIS recipient and a disability support professional, I've walked in the shoes of those I serve. I know what it feels like to be isolated, overwhelmed, and searching for hope. More importantly, I know that recovery is possible, and I'm passionate about ensuring no one has to feel the way I once did.