Hello, my name is Dr. Bob Phillips. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist. My Masters and PhD are in the area of counseling. I have been counseling individuals and couples in many different settings for 45 years. My role over the years has been to bring hope into the lives of hurting people. Although life can at times be very difficult, and darkness seems to overpower our emotions, the sun always comes out. Part of my role is to help individuals become their own counselor for the many decisions they will face in the future.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together we will become acquainted with each other. We will then attempt to discover the most troubling situations affecting discomfort and confusion in your life. Then, hopefully we will plan productive and healthy ways to cope with the difficult circumstances that seem to take energy our of our lives.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
It is my desire to assist you to change the difficult circumstances in your life. I will listen to you. I will encourage you. I will at times challenge you . . . and all times I will be honest with you. You can count on me being on your side. It will be my desire to help you achieve the goals you came into counseling for.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
In our high stress culture many couples struggle in the area of communication with each other and how to express their fears, needs, and desires. This prompted the need for a set of "Fair Fighting Rules" to reduce stress and tension. PTSD, grief, and affliction seem to buckle the knees of countless people. They often struggle with the need for empathy and the ability to see light at the end of the tunnel of their pain. Many parents are at a loss to know how raise their troubled children. Young people struggle with finding a career they want to enter. Those dissatisfied with their present jobs are seeking help in making transitions to new lines of satisfying work. Those who have been hurt struggle with the concept of forgiveness. Others grapple with shyness, loneliness, and a low self-image. Someone has said, "The trouble with life is that it is so daily." Everyone needs help and encouragement at some point in their life.
About Bob Phillips
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Reality Therapy
The counseling approaches I utilize most often are Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Reality Therapy. A problem well stated is a problem half solved. First, it is very important to discover what is going on to bring discomfort into a person's life. Second, is to find out how the problem is affecting their mind, emotions, behavior, and various relationships. Third, is to develop a practical plan to help to bring comfort, establish well tested responses and behavioral changes with regard to conflict, and create a healthy mindset and a positive attitude. The goal is to help the individual learn new skills that will assist them to make clear and positive decisions in the future.
Couples Counseling
During counseling sessions I will often suggest practical homework assignments, including behaviors to practice. To help make concepts clear I will sometimes use illustrations, metaphors, and visuals, along with questions and answers. All of the above are used to help make points memorable. I will often send along practical handout suggestions.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Anxiety, Depression, and Coping Skills seem to be involved with many individuals seeking counseling. A great majority of difficult issues revolve around conflict in relationships with other people and the struggle to forgive those who have caused hurt in the life of one seeking counsel.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I attempt to help the individual understand that Anxiety and Depression do not cause anything. They are the result of a spoken or unspoken expectations about a situation or relationship that has not been resolved. Anxiety and Depression are basically negative thinking processes that cause fear (the flight syndrome) or anger (the fight syndrome).