Michael Phillips

I'm a disabled veteran who became a therapist because I know firsthand what it means to carry invisible weight. I

spent years in service and came back changed — and I spent more years figuring out how to live with that. That

lived experience shapes how I show up for every client. I work with adults facing anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder,

panic, depression, and grief — as well as couples navigating tension, communication breakdowns, or the

aftermath of hard times. I'm direct, warm, and I don't do generic. I use evidence-based modalities — EMDR, CBT,

DBT, ACT, Prolonged Exposure — and I adapt my approach to each person. I'm licensed in North Carolina and

Washington State and see clients virtually only.

I believe good therapy starts with an honest relationship. I'm not going to hand you a worksheet and call it a

session. I'm genuinely curious about what's underneath — what keeps showing up, what you've already tried, and

what you actually want your life to look like. I draw from EMDR for trauma processing, CBT and DBT for building

real-world tools, ACT for finding meaning even in difficult seasons, and Prolonged Exposure for those who are

ready to stop avoiding what's been running the show. With couples, I focus on the dynamic between you — what

patterns keep repeating and what a different way of relating could look like. I'm affirming and work with clients

across all backgrounds and identities.

Expect a real conversation. I'll ask you what brought you in, what's been going on, and what you're hoping therapy

does for you — and I'll be honest about whether I think I can help. The first session is low-pressure; we're both

figuring out if the fit is right. You don't need to have everything figured out or know what to say. Just show up, and

we'll take it from there.