Phillip Liu
(he/him)
I’m Phillip, a therapist dedicated to helping people grow into the version of themselves they’ve been working toward—often while navigating heavy pressure. My background as an educator and counselor has fueled my passion for supporting others as they untangle complex expectations and begin to cultivate a value-fueled, authentic life. As the son of Chinese immigrants from Mexico, raised in Mississippi, I personally understand the challenge of living between cultures and the "liminal spaces" where identity can feel uncertain.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is a collaborative, low-pressure space where your history and values are truly welcomed. We’ll start by exploring what brought you here and what you hope to cultivate in your life, approaching your story with curiosity rather than assumptions. You can expect a grounding environment where we begin to identify the narratives you want to keep, the ones you’re ready to loosen, and the new "seeds" you want to plant for your future.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strength lies in my "Mindful Garden" approach—the belief that healing is a steady process of cultivation, not a quick fix. I blend cultural humility with evidence-based tools (like CBT, DBT, and Narrative Therapy) to offer a highly personalized experience. Because I’ve stood in those "in-between" spaces myself, I excel at helping clients re-author their stories and build emotional resilience in a way that feels authentic to their unique identity and lived experience.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I specialize in working with resilient people, creatives, and ambitious thinkers who often feel they have to have it all figured out. On the surface, you are likely high-functioning and reliable; however, internally, you may be navigating a persistent sense of "not enough," chronic burnout, or a quiet disconnect from your own needs. My "ideal" client is someone who is curious, self-reflective, and perhaps a bit tired of their own intellectual defenses. You might find yourself: - Over-functioning: Taking on the emotional labor for everyone else while neglecting your own boundaries. - Stuck in "Analysis Paralysis": Using logic to bypass feelings, making it hard to actually process stress or grief. - Chasing the Next Goal: Feeling like your worth is tied solely to your output, leading to a cycle of achievement and exhaustion. - Bottling Up: suppressing emotions in order to move on to the next thing and never going back to process or address major issues or problematic patterns. If you are someone who values intellectual depth but wants to move beyond just "talking in circles," we will be a great fit. I am best positioned to serve those who are ready to trade the performance of perfection for a more authentic, grounded way of living. Our therapy goals usually center on: - Developing Self-Compassion: Moving away from a harsh inner critic. - Narrative Integration: Examining the "stories" you’ve told yourself about success and worth, and rewriting a more empowered personal narrative. - Relational Clarity: Building the confidence to set boundaries without the crushing weight of guilt. My Approach: I provide a space that is both collaborative and direct. We won’t just manage symptoms; we will look at the underlying patterns to ensure the changes you make are sustainable and deeply rooted.
Specialties
Top specialtiesAnxiety
Depression
Men's Issues
Anger Management
Career Counseling
Coping Skills
I identify as
Asian / Asian American
Man
Person of Color (POC)
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Licensed in
Indiana
Accepts
Aetna
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a practical, goal-oriented approach of understanding how our unique experiences and thinking patterns shape our feelings and actions. Together we'll look at patterns between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to identify what is keeping you 'stuck'. We use CBT strategies and interventions to reduce negative cycles and create positive changes for a resilient future.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
This approach recognizes that your identity—including your background, heritage, and lived experiences—is central to who you are, and societal factors like race, gender, and community are important considerations for our mental health. Rather than a "one size fits all" method, I provide a curious space where your cultural values and unique social context are honored and understood. We will work together to ensure our therapy sessions and goals respect your reality and reflect your authentic values.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is designed to help you find balance when emotions feel overwhelming or out of control. It focuses on providing you with "behavioral building blocks" in four key areas: mindfulness, managing difficult moments (distress tolerance), navigating relationships, and regulating your moods. Our goal is to move away from "all-or-nothing" thinking, helping you accept yourself as you are while simultaneously working toward the meaningful changes you want to make.
Narrative
Many of us carry "scripts" inherited by family, society, or past experiences that create a narrow, unhelpful view of who we are. Often, these narratives don't tell the whole truth, yet they end up dictating our confidence and self-concept. In our sessions, we can explore where these scripts come from and 're-author' a fuller, more accurate telling of your story — uncovering hidden strengths and new story lines.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Much of our distress comes from being pulled into the past or worrying about the future, leaving us stuck on "autopilot." Mindfulness-based therapy helps you ground yourself in the present moment without judgment. We will practice tools to help you observe your thoughts and physical sensations as they happen, allowing you to respond to life’s stressors with clarity and calm rather than reacting out of habit.