Phil D'Agostino, LCMHC

Phil D'Agostino is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina who combines practical, evidence-informed methods with a focus on rapid, meaningful improvement. With 29 years of clinical experience, he emphasizes strategies usually associated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - and brief, goal-directed interventions - to help people move out of depression, reduce anxiety, and repair relationships as efficiently as possible.

Trained originally as a scientist and science educator, he brings a practical, problem-solving orientation to counseling and views people as more alike than different when it comes to emotional difficulty. He completed graduate studies through the UNC-G program and also trained in hypnosis to address obsessive thinking and to support behavior change such as smoking cessation, emotional eating, and social anxieties.

Phil believes in placing tools and control in the hands of the individual rather than relying solely on a clinician or medication. He writes and teaches widely, authoring nearly two dozen training courses on topics like emotional control, conflict resolution, leadership, and workplace relations, along with the professional text Ready Access CBT for Working Professionals (Lorman Education) and the public book Naked Thinking.

His primary focus is supporting people coping with depression, anxiety, and related transitions - including job or relationship loss, public speaking fears, and workplace stress - as well as addressing couples and family issues, intimacy concerns, sleep problems, parenting challenges, anger, career matters, and mood disorders.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Change

Phil uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into more effective patterns; this practical, action-oriented approach is often used for depression, anxiety, panic, and sleep difficulties. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) complements CBT by helping people clarify values and learn to accept difficult internal experiences while committing to meaningful action, which can be useful for stress, life purpose questions, and ongoing mood challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and impulsive reactions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Phil works collaboratively with each person to determine the best fit based on individual needs, goals, and preferences. Together they review what is working, adjust strategies, and blend techniques from different approaches when that serves the client's progress.

Online therapy with Phil is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into a busy life and to connect from different locations. These options support consistent access to licensed professionals and allow therapy to continue even when in-person visits are impractical, helping clients maintain momentum toward their goals.