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Hello and Greetings, I am Thomas! My name is Thomas Phillips, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a master’s prepared Registered Nurse (MSN, RN). I live and am based out of Tacoma, WA, and work with clients from all over the state remotely in my practice. I enjoy combining the aspects of mental health treatment with physical health to have a dynamic and positive impact on client outcomes. I primarily use empirically based techniques such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Solution-Focused modalities combined with modalities that are reflective of the inner work that is not able to be measured. I believe in holistic care that focuses on incorporating all the tools that will meet the client’s needs individually.
My approach
My approach is dependent on the needs of each individual client. I would like to partner with the client to discuss the goals for treatment planning and build interventions that are useful tools for the client to achieve their goals in therapy. I tailor approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Experiential Therapy, and Psychodynamic approaches to find in the partnership of care the best path to find results for the client.
My focus
The style and approach I have found successful with teenage clients to geriatric client age group ranges are client-centered with motivational interviewing. Motivational Interviewing techniques have been empirically validated to help in a myriad of applications for the treatment of depression, anxiety, life transitions, addictions, stress, relationships, and enhancing life functioning. I work with the client to build motivation and use tools in life to meet their goals in treatment that can be measured. I seek partnership with the client to understand the unmeasurable components such as building ego strength and validating their inner self concepts.
My communication style
My communication style typically is calm, supportive, positive, and objective in the first meeting to build rapport. I seek to help the client understand the reasons to seek therapy do not define who they are in life. I want my clients to feel accepted as individuals and have a strength-based mindset. I am an open communicator who suspends judgment with an ability to listen and accommodate the client’s uniqueness.
My journey to mental healthcare
I have always had a mindset to serve others in challenging life circumstances. I have had a call to help people who might need a little or a lot of help from juvenile correctional facilities, outpatient therapy services, emergency department social work, in-home private practice, or acute medical care. I can recognize my unique talents and passions to see impacts of all sizes from personal to professional relationships. I enjoy collaboration with the client and ‘magic’ for helping people find their strength in adverse times.
My goals for you
Treatment goals are defined by the client, refined in collaboration, and adjusted together to make progress for the best outcomes in our time together. My approach to goal setting with clients is to help the client define the areas that treatment will focus. I would like to help you define the areas of growth you seek in life and listen objectively to offer suggestions of tools and treatment focuses that will maximize your efforts in goal achievement. Treatment goals can be met or adjusted as the client can recognize the importance of the process of self-growth.
My first session with you
The first session will likely be a little stressful and have some feelings of vulnerability speaking with a new person. The first session will be an opportunity to understand your feelings and thoughts objectively. The first session helps understand the issues for treatment to meet and to make a positive connection to move forward. I will listen and understand without judgment to help accept positive growth tailored to your needs with tools you can use to be the best version of yourself.
