My name is Darren Wagner and I am a mass trauma researcher

"The Phoenix Project" is my PhD Proposal research work that has

arisen from the ashes of my own life.

After the realisation set in that I would not be making it as a Broadway actor I picked myself up and brushed myself off and set my sights on a bigger stage, the world. In my time I have played many parts and had my exits and my entrances.

I have had unwanted spotlights during certain scenes and been witness to tragedies from the wings unable to speak.

I am a Psychotherapist, Post Traumatic Growth advocate, and a former Police Officer with lived experiences of complex post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide attempt survivor with extensive experience working with mass trauma after supporting my community of Sandy Hook, United States through a school shooting.

I draw from 30 years first-hand experience of trauma in the workplace, lessons personally learned and from supporting others through their trauma(s) as a peer support worker in clinical and community settings and peer educator.

So, it is no surprise that I am now focused on putting my passions and skills to good use by finishing my master’s degree in health and social wellbeing and working on my PhD proposal “The Phoenix Project” which will examine how communities that have been impacted by mass trauma can be healed through verbatim theatre and the arts.

I thank you for taking the time to visit and being a part of

The Phoenix Project community.

Peace,

Darren