Rooted in Connection: A Name That Never Left Me. Why the Name Change.

Some say a name is just a name. That in business, you shouldn't get too attached. That brands are replaceable, and progress means moving forward.

But if you've ever built something with your whole heart, something rooted in love, sleepless nights, and the unshakable desire to make the world better then you know: some names aren’t just brands. They’re identities.

For me, that name has always been Engage Behavioral Health.

The Beginning

I first dreamed up the idea for Engage when I was 12 years old, inspired by the journey of a family member raising a child with special needs. Even then, I could feel the weight and wonder of what it meant to truly support a child and the family around them. That early spark eventually became a company built with passion, persistence, and people who gave everything to help families thrive. We built something special. Something powerful. Something that mattered.

Letting Go When I Didn’t Want To

In 2019, I sold Engage. Not because I wanted to but because I had to. My health and my family’s well-being needed to come first. Since then, I’ve tried other ventures. I partnered with others. I created Hive Connections, a brand rooted in science and community that I still believe in deeply. But no matter how thoughtful or aligned my efforts were, something always felt off. It felt like I was cheating on something I never stopped loving.

Why “Engage” Was Never Just a Name

The word engage is everything to me. It’s how we connect, how we grow, how we change. It’s the moment a parent leans in. A therapist listens deeply. A child finds safety in being seen.

It’s what we do when we show up fully to love, support, and teach. And that is what I’ve always wanted Engage Behavioral Health to be a place where science meets soul, where families feel empowered, and where every person on the journey matters.

Reclaiming What’s Mine

So today, I did something I never thought I’d get to do again: I brought the name Engage Behavioral Health back to life. No, we don’t need to talk about why the name became available again. That’s a story for another day. But this, this is about me finally returning to the work, the purpose, and the name that always had my heart. I’m no longer holding back out of fear, guilt, or judgment. My health is stronger now (mostly), and I am eager to use my passion and knowledge to support families.

This Engage will never replace or be what the original one was. That Engage was built by a team of women with big hearts and relentless spirit. This one is just for me to meet the needs of the few I can help on their journey.

I’m here to help neuro-diverse people and those who love them engage with their children, their parents, and their communities. Because engagement builds connection. And connection is where the magic happens.

Engage Behavioral Health is back—not just in name, but in spirit. Because when we engage deeply with those around us, we don’t just grow. We thrive.

Jennifer Phelps, MS, BCBA