Susan Phillips, LMHC

Susan Phillips is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She works with individuals and families across a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, ADHD, relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, addictions, and coping with life changes. Her practice also addresses specialized areas such as abandonment, adoption and foster care matters, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, codependency, domestic violence, and end-of-life concerns.

Susan favors a client-centered style that prioritizes deep listening and validation so clients can better understand their own experiences and move toward healing. She integrates evidence-informed methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, and trauma-focused approaches as appropriate to each person’s goals. Parenting education and grief work are woven into sessions when they support the client’s needs. Throughout treatment she emphasizes practical strategies and measurable steps that align with each client’s priorities, while adapting interventions to the unique context of their life. Susan welcomes the chance to support people who are ready to make changes and seeks to create a collaborative path forward.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Susan uses a client-centered approach that emphasizes deep listening and collaboration - sessions focus on what matters most to the individual and build a trusting working relationship. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and to teach practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and other mood concerns. Motivational interviewing supports clients who are ambivalent about change by exploring values and strengthening internal motivation for steps toward recovery or healthier habits.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Susan works with each client to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting strategies over time in a collaborative way. Clients are involved in setting priorities and evaluating progress so the plan reflects their needs.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule care around work, family, or mobility constraints and allow ongoing access to a licensed professional from different locations. The focus remains on effective, practical tools and real-world progress that translate into everyday life.