About Our Founder

Sage Nestler, MSW

Pronouns: He/They

Email: sage@releasingthephoenix.org

  • Experienced Mental Health Specialist

  • Leading Educator on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Founder & CEO of Releasing the Phoenix

Sage utilizes a holistic approach and interdisciplinary background to expand Releasing the Phoenix as an innovative mental health organization for queer folx.

They passionate about utilizing their lived experiences to inform their work.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, & EXPERTISE

  • Master of Social Work (MSW) from Metropolitan State University of Denver

    • with an emphasis on mental health, early childhood education & policy

  • Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from Metropolitan State University of Denver

  • Certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Mental Health Coaching

  • Therapeutic Art Coaching

  • Bibliotherapy

    • Horror for anxiety, phobia, and trauma

    • Romance/Erotica for exploring sexuality and sex through a safe format

  • Policy & Grant Work

  • Continuing education for social work professionals on highly stigmatized disorders & compassionate care

MENTAL HEALTH TOPICS & CONDITIONS THAT SAGE SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

  • Neurodivergence

    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Autism spectrum

  • Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and trauma

  • Eating Disorders & Body Image Concerns

    • Body dysmorphia

  • Gender Exploration & Body Image Concerns Related to Gender

    • Gender dysphoria, with an emphasis on non-binary/gender expansive folx

  • Anxiety and stress

  • Depression

  • Anxious-Attachment Healing

  • Coping as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

  • Understanding & Healing from Narcissistic Abuse

  • Supporting Queer Loved Ones with Mental Illness

OTHER FOCUSES FOR THE QUEER COMMUNITY:

  • A holistic approach to mental health

    • Understanding the different areas of one’s life, how they impact mental health, and learning how to make changes or cope with factors outside of one’s control

  • Advocating for yourself, your needs, and your rights

  • Finding support in a political environment that is targeting queer folks

    • Especially the transgender and gender expansive community

AWARDS

  • Best Policy Proposal & Revision Capstone

    • Metropolitan State University of Denver Master of Social Work Class of 2019

ASSOCIATIONS

FEATURES/WRITING

Articles

A promotional graphic for a mental health event titled 'Releasing the Phoenix.' The graphic features a handshake icon, text about identifying with Borderline Personality Disorder through social media with Sage Nestler, MSW, and a small photo of Sage Nestler. The background is a gradient blue and includes contact and website information.
READ ARTICLE
Digital graphic featuring a woman with dark hair and closed eyes, with storm clouds and lightning above her head. A green banner contains the text: "Why It's Harmful to Call Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder 'Manipulative' with Sage Nestler, MSW." The logo of Releasing the Phoenix, a mental health organization for queer communities, is at the top. A small circular photo of a person with glasses and short hair is at the bottom left. The website address www.releasingthephoenix.org is at the bottom.
READ ARTICLE
A promotional graphic for a mental health event about managing heartbreak with borderline personality disorder, featuring a pink background, a heart-shaped hand gesture, a photo of Sage Nestler, MSW and text with a website link.
READ ARTICLE
This Film Left Actor Alex Wolff with Trauma; Here’s Why That Matters

Testimonials

“A year and a half ago I found myself going through the most challenging time of my life. My husband and I had separated, and I had so many questions and couldn't understand his behavior. I poured over articles, blogs and social media support groups trying to understand because something just didn't seem "normal".

I found Sage online on a mental health blog. I asked a lot of questions through that forum, and they so kindly replied to me and was so helpful that I decided I needed to work with him regularly to help me navigate this life change.

In addition to helping me understand borderline personality disorder tendencies my husband displayed, they also helped me to let go and come out of my shell.

Sage provided numerous resources to me including meditations, journaling, self-love workbooks and other educational books in regard to BPD.

I highly recommend Sage to anyone who needs help navigating a marriage or relationship with a BPD loved one.”

  • Amanda - Former Client