About Dr. Phillips

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After graduation, I decided to take some time to gain clinical experience before embarking on the journey of graduate school, as I knew reading about something in a book was very different from the reality of it. I began working as a mental health technician at a community mental health facility where I had the fortunate opportunity help a wide range of individuals, from children to older adults, who were often experiencing one of their most difficult times in their lives subsequent to significant mental health symptoms, such as psychosis, mania, and depression.

 As I saw many individuals recover, I also began to see the limits of inpatient care, particularly when it is initiated involuntarily. As I enrolled in graduate school to obtain my Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Nova Southeastern University, I decided to specialize in working with individuals who have experienced psychosis and major mood disorders, particularly in inpatient and forensic settings, such as hospitals and jails. I completed my predoctoral internship at Arkansas State Hospital and graduated from Nova Southeastern University with my Psy.D. in 2015. 

After completing all licensing requirements, I continued to work in a state hospital setting where I maintained the privilege of working as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team to help treat some of the strongest and most resilient individuals who were experiencing severe forms of mental illness and adversity, often including significant trauma. With my growing number of years working in such a setting, I began to realize the scarcity of qualified clinicians in the community specializing in various forms of psychosis and mood disorders to help achieve/maintain stability and minimize the need for hospitalization whenever possible, as I understood the limits of what inpatient settings can achieve, the possible adverse consequences of involuntarily hospitalizing someone, and the decline in treatment gains without sufficient outpatient treatment in place. 

Since transitioning into private practice, I have also been able to reconnect with several areas I am passionate about helping people in, such as adjusting to life transitions, improving self-worth, and thriving in your life rather than just going through the everyday motions to get by. 

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my husband and two young children who continue to teach me what the whole “work-life balance” mantra is about. You can find us always on the go, whether it be exploring the various parks in our community or walking along the beautiful South Florida beaches. While personal time can be hard to come by these days, I try and capitalize on such moments by reading a good suspense novel, binge-watching a variety of shows with an unfortunate addiction to reality television, and taking up yoga to help reset my mind and learn compassion for my body. I also love going out to eat and trying new restaurants, as one of the great things about South Florida is the abundance of eateries. Lastly, despite years of unsuccessful attempts, I continue to search for my green thumb, as gardening has always been an interest of mine with a relentless dream of having my own secret garden to enjoy one day.