About Phoenix Group Foundation
Who We Are
We are a community-driven initiative dedicated to rebuilding the behavioral health system from the ground up—starting in Washington State.
By developing innovative, trauma-informed treatment centers across the nation, we provide individualized care for youth and young adults experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to compassionate, evidence-based support that promotes healing, dignity, and long-term recovery.
Our Mission
Merlin’s Mission exists to close the critical gaps in behavioral health care for underserved communities.
We partner with advocacy groups, community leaders, established organizations, and government agencies to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and education. Ensuring patients and families are treated with dignity and compassionate care.
Why We Exist
Too many young people and families have been left behind by systems that are outdated, opaque, and harmful.
We’ve seen the consequences of inadequate access, over-restrictive environments, and a lack of transparency in our behavioral health system. Merlin’s Mission was created to challenge that reality. Our Centers of Excellence are designed to offer a new standard of care—one that listens, respects, and responds to patients and their families with dignity, compassion and personalized evidence-based care.
What Makes Us Different
We are building something more than treatment centers—we’re building hope.
Our approach combines personalized evidence-based clinical practices with community-based participation, ensuring care is rooted in science while shaped by the lived experiences of those we serve.
Our treatment model focuses on:
Patient and family first. Always.
Least restrictive, recovery-oriented care
Peer-supported services led by individuals with lived experience
Trauma-informed, individualized care planning
Our Core Values
At the heart of everything we do are the values that guide our mission and shape our services:
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We lead with empathy, recognizing the humanity in every client, family member, and provider.
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We are committed to clear communication, honest practices, and ethical care delivery.
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We believe every person deserves respectful, equitable care regardless of their background or condition.
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We know that lasting change happens through strong alliances with families, professionals, and systems.
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Our treatment centers are grounded in proven, data-informed methods that deliver real results.
Help Us Amplify Voices & Maximize Our Impact
Find Ways To Get Involved
Every impactful mission is powered by dedicated people—and our team is made up of passionate leaders driven to create lasting, meaningful change in the communities we serve.
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Raymond Gregory Ferrero III
President and Founding Board Member
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Susan Austin Martin
Founding Board Member and Mental Health Advocate
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Devean George
Founding Board Member
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Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren
Expert Mental Health & Substance Use Community-Based System of Care Consultant
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Dr. Shanda Gore
Entrepreneurial Leadership Strategist and Culture Building Expert
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Michon Garemani
Trauma Recovery Coach and Certified Hypnotherapist
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Avery Jane Fasulo
Mental Health Consumer Advocate
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Cheryl Long
Mental Health Consumer Advocate
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Danielle Lord, PHD
Leadership Expert and Adult and Organizational Learning Consultant
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Mark Kohler
Founding Board Member
