Dr. Tamaru Phillips
I believe therapy should be a space where you can be honest about what you're experiencing without feeling judged, rushed, or pressured to have everything figured out. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, stress, burnout, and difficulties with self-esteem. My approach is direct, compassionate, and practical. We won't just talk about what's happening in your life; we'll work to understand the patterns keeping you stuck and develop tools to help you move forward.
We won't just talk about what's happening in your life; we'll work to understand the patterns keeping you stuck and develop tools to help you move forward.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, I bring a systems-oriented perspective to individual therapy. I help clients explore how their relationships, upbringing, experiences, and beliefs influence the way they see themselves and interact with others. Whether you're struggling to establish boundaries, feeling disconnected from yourself, processing a difficult relationship, or simply tired of carrying everything alone, our work will focus on helping you build emotional clarity, confidence, and healthier ways of navigating life. *Currently accepting new clients for individual therapy only. Couples and family therapy are not offered through this platform. *
First session
In your first session with me, you can expect a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment where we begin building a foundation of trust. We’ll discuss your goals for therapy, explore the challenges you're facing, and take time to understand your unique situation. I’ll ask questions to get to know you, your relationship dynamics, and we’ll start identifying patterns or issues that may need attention. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs, ensuring that you feel supported and understood as we begin the therapeutic journey.
Strengths
My greatest strengths as a provider are my ability to create a safe and compassionate space where clients feel heard and understood, and my holistic, systems-oriented approach that considers the complexities of family dynamics and personal experiences. I’m highly skilled in facilitating open communication, helping clients navigate difficult emotions, and providing practical tools for positive change. My trauma-informed, and family-centered frameworks allow me to empower clients to build healthier relationships and obtain personal growth. I strive to bring empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a collaborative spirit to every session.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected but have the courage to show up and do the work. Whether you're navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, trauma, relationship challenges, or struggling with self-worth, you don't have to figure it out alone. I work best with clients who are ready to dig deep, challenge old patterns, and build the life and relationships they truly deserve. If you're tired of just getting by and are ready to step into your fullest self, this is your space.
Treatment methods
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
With a PhD in Family Therapy, I bring a culturally responsive, inclusive, and individualized approach to therapy. I recognize that our identities, relationships, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences shape how we navigate life's challenges. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, self-worth, relationship patterns, personal identity, or major life transitions, I provide a supportive space to explore your experiences, recognize your strengths, and create meaningful change. I am committed to affirming and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, while honoring the values, beliefs, and experiences that make each person's journey unique.
Attachment-based
My approach to attachment-based therapy focuses on helping individuals understand how early relationships and emotional experiences shape their current patterns of connection, trust, and intimacy. Together, we explore attachment styles, unmet emotional needs, and recurring relationship patterns that may contribute to anxiety, insecurity, or difficulty establishing healthy boundaries. Through a compassionate, collaborative process, I help clients develop greater emotional awareness, strengthen their sense of security, and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. My goal is to empower you to move beyond patterns that no longer serve you and create meaningful, secure connections with yourself and others.
Trauma-Informed Care
In my practice, I incorporate a trauma-informed care approach, recognizing the impact of past trauma on current emotional and relational challenges. I create a safe and compassionate space where individuals and families can explore their experiences without fear of judgment. By understanding how trauma affects thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, I help clients develop coping strategies and resilience. My approach prioritizes empowerment, healing, and fostering a sense of control in the therapeutic process, allowing clients to move forward with greater emotional well-being and confidence.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an effective treatment method to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In my practice, I use CBT to assist individuals in identifying negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress or unhealthy behaviors. Through a structured, goal-oriented approach, we work together to challenge and reframe those thoughts, replacing them with more balanced and constructive ones. I guide clients in developing practical coping strategies and skills to manage anxiety, depression, and relationship issues, ultimately empowering them to achieve healthier emotional and behavioral outcomes.
Location
Virtual sessions