Dr. Floyd Phillips, LCSW

Dr. Floyd Phillips grew up in Harlem and built a career rooted in community service and clinical practice. He earned a B.A. in psychology from City College of New York, received a human resources fellowship to Columbia University School of Social Work and completed an M.S. in social work. Early work in community organizing and service with Special Services for Children led him into roles focused on education and direct care for people facing mental health and substance use challenges.

For fifteen years he taught and worked with individuals described in earlier training as mentally ill, intellectually disabled, and those coping with substance abuse. He pursued advanced clinical training at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, where seven years of study resulted in certifications in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and group psychotherapy. He also completed doctoral coursework and research in health education and behavioral studies and was awarded an EdD for work on health education, behavioral health and health disparities.

Dr. Phillips founded The New York Institute of Health and Behavior to combine research, education and treatment around mental health, substance use and public health disparities. He practices as a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a licensed psychoanalyst in New York and has worked as a psychocounselor and life coach for over 25 years. His clinical experience includes treatment for depression, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, addictions, grief, parenting challenges, OCD, ADHD and recovery from physical or emotional trauma. He employs a range of psychotherapy methods, including psychoanalytic approaches, tailored to each person’s needs.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Phillips

Dr. Floyd Phillips uses psychoanalytic psychotherapy to explore how past experiences and internal patterns influence current feelings and relationships. This approach helps people gain insight into recurring emotional themes and long-standing relational or self-esteem concerns.

He also integrates group psychotherapy, which brings people together to share experiences, practice interpersonal skills and receive feedback from others facing similar challenges. Group work can be helpful for relationship issues, social support needs and recovery from addiction.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Phillips works with each person to identify goals, preferences and needs, then adapts methods over time so therapy feels like a good fit.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to fit varying schedules and locations. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact with a licensed professional and to access support from wherever the client is located, including international clients.