Philip Bower

I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker serving adults in Massachusetts, Maine, and Washington. My background includes graduate-level training in social work, experience supporting people through trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relationship concerns, and major life transitions, as well as my own experience as a veteran.

I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ adults, veterans, men, and people whose lives or relationships do not always fit traditional expectations. My practice is affirming of kink, polyamory, and ethical non-monogamy. I understand that many people come to therapy after spending years surviving inside roles that left too little room for the full truth of who they are.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in respect. I draw from ACT, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, self-compassion, and trauma-informed care, adapting our work to your needs rather than expecting you to fit a single method. Therapy with me is a place to speak honestly, understand the patterns that have helped you survive, and begin creating a life that feels more authentic, connected, and genuinely your own.

I approach therapy as a collaborative relationship rather than a place where I simply tell you what to do. You are the expert on your life; my role is to help you understand what you have experienced, recognize the patterns that once helped you survive, and decide what you want to carry forward.

My work is warm, direct, affirming, and trauma-informed. I draw from ACT, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and self-compassion, adapting these approaches to your needs rather than asking you to fit into one particular model. Together, we make room for honesty, curiosity, humor, and the difficult emotions that do not always arrive neatly.

I want therapy to help you move beyond simply managing symptoms. Our work is about building a life in which you can feel more grounded, connected, and free to live as the fullest version of yourself.

Your first session is a conversation, not a test. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what is happening in your life now, and what you hope might feel different. I’ll also ask about the experiences, relationships, identities, and environments that have shaped you. You can share at a pace that feels manageable; you do not have to tell your entire story in one meeting.

Together, we’ll begin identifying your goals and what meaningful progress would look like for you. Some clients want relief from anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma responses. Others want healthier relationships, greater self-understanding, or the freedom to live more authentically.

My goal is to create a warm, affirming, and judgment-free space where you feel respected rather than analyzed. By the end of our first session, we should have a clearer understanding of what you need, how we might work together, and whether I feel like the right therapist for you.