PSYCHOTHERAPY & SEX THERAPY FOR ADULTS & COUPLES
Knowing how and when to let yourself be vulnerable brings you closer to opportunity and empowerment. - Dr. Lee Phillips
ABOUT ME
Hello and thank you for visiting my website. I have over 12 years of experience working as a psychotherapist. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in the state of Virginia. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington, DC and a Licensed Certified Social Worker at the clinical level (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland. I practice at a group private practice, Capitol Hill Consortium for Counseling and Consultation. We have an office in Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and an office in Crystal City in Arlington, VA. I have worked in several mental health and substance abuse treatment settings including outpatient community mental health, inpatient psychiatric settings, and private practice. I hold a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Behavioral Health from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. In addition, I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Norfolk State University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Communication with a minor in Theatre Arts from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. I am also an adjunct professor with the School of Social Work at Western New Mexico University.
I am the resident psychotherapist and sexual health therapist on Invisible Not Broken: A chronic illness podcast, www.invisiblenotbroken.com. I have published in the Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, conducting a research study on LGBTQ-Affirmative Teaching at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Understanding Program Directors Views. I am writing my first book, Sex & Love When You Are Sick, which helps couples overcome shame and the sexual limitations caused by illness and gives strategies to create and reclaim a sex life that works.
My purpose is to ultimately help my clients achieve the goals they wish to accomplish. I offer a safe, empathetic and a warm environment. I use interventions that offer not only symptom relief, but also a means to improve emotional connections to the individual and others. I have experience in treating LGBTQIA populations, depression, sexual health related issues, anxiety disorders, trauma, bipolar disorder, co-occurring disorders, chronic pain, chronic illness and disease and substance use disorders. As a dedicated psychotherapist, I use holistic approaches where I treat the whole person and not just the symptoms. Clients who are in non-monogamous, swingers, polyamorous, and/or kink relationships are welcomed. I view psychotherapy as a journey and we will take it together.
HOW CAN PSYCHOTHERAPY HELP?
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
Individual psychotherapy can be a powerful opportunity to support growth and change. I will help you identify the barriers that are preventing wellness. I utilize a variety of approaches drawn from client-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, acceptance & commitment therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. In the beginning of the treatment process, you may experience sadness, anger, shame, and guilt. These feelings are quite natural and they are part of the growth process. I will help you understand these thoughts and feelings and we will work together to promote wellness. Individual psychotherapy sessions are for 45 minutes.
GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
I offer a chronic pain management group that meets on the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 12:00pm-1:15pm at our Capitol Hill office. This group is also intended for individuals who suffer from chronic pain due to a chronic illness. Pain is usually temporary; however, for some people pain persists over time and is considered chronic. Chronic pain creates a reliance on medication and causes emotional distress. It can also affect a person's ability to engage in occupational, social, and recreational activities. In addition, chronic pain causes muscle tension, sexual dysfunction, limited mobility, fatigue, and creates changes in the appetite and sleep. Other effects may include depression, anxiety, and the fear of re-injury, which can affect a person's daily life. A lack of activity can contribute to more depression all of which can make the pain worse.The purpose of this group is to learn pain management skills such as focused breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization of relaxed settings, and guided imagery and group members practice these skills between sessions. These skills serve to decrease anxiety and depression, decrease pain indirectly (e.g., through muscle relaxation) and directly (e.g., through guided imagery with suggestions of decreasing pain). Group members will problem-solve together about impediments to using the techniques. Group members will share coping skills and exercises they have learned on their own and find more helpful.
COUPLES PSYCHOTHERAPY
Couples psychotherapy can be a powerful tool in addressing honesty, communication, conflict, intimacy, and trust issues. I work with couples in identifying the underlying cause of the problem and help bring healing to the relationship. I provide psychotherapy to those couples that are in heterosexual, gay, lesbian, trans, kink, consensual non-monogamous relationships, and polyamorous relationships. I specialize in helping couples who have experienced sexual issues of concern. I use approaches drawn from the Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy. Couples psychotherapy sessions are for 45 minutes.
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR CHRONIC ILLNESS
Experiencing a chronic illness can be earth-shattering. Individuals who are chronically ill often experience extreme emotional distress.The ability to engage in occupational, social, and recreational activities can be limited.When experiencing a chronic illness, some changes may be physical, such as the changes with one’s body, side effects from medication, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and pain. You may experience psychological changes such as depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy can be a non-judgmental safe space where you can receive the support that is needed. I will help you with processing and managing your emotions, help with managing energy levels and fatigue, process the grief that has occurred due to illness, assist you in navigating appointments, communicating with medical providers, and integrate mindfulness and acceptance & commitment therapy strategies that will help you cope with your illness. Most importantly, I will help you live the best life you can possibly live. Individual and Couple sessions are 45 minutes.
SEX THERAPY
Sexual health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, so chances are if you aren’t functioning properly or being fulfilled sexually, other areas of your life are being affected as well (or vice versa). All people have sexual concerns at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, for most people, the topic of sexuality is embarrassing, uncomfortable, or even taboo. But the inability to discuss sexual concerns and problems may be the greatest barrier to achieving sexual health and wellness. Sexuality is a phenomenon in which biological and psychological factors intersect, so both a person’s physical condition and their psychological well-being represent interdependent cornerstones of sexual health. Therefore, sex therapy is a specialized treatment focusing on sexual issues of concern. These sexual concerns may cause shame, depression, anxiety, stress, and anger. Talking and processing sexual difficulties is the mode of treatment. There are no sexual relations nor nudity in psychotherapy sessions. I offer a safe sex-positive and confidential environment to process sexual problems related to chronic illness, pain, and disabilities, to low or too high of a sexual desire, erection difficulties, premature ejaculation, orgasm difficulties, painful intercourse, sexual trauma, obsessive-compulsive sexual behavior, gender dysphoria and other gender issues of concern, sexual orientation concerns, and relationship issues. I am a kink and poly friendly therapist. Individual and couples Sex Therapy sessions are 45 minutes.
RATES AND INSURANCE
Rates: Please call (202) 544-5440
Insurance: Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions: What is my deductible and has it been met? How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover? What is the coverage amount per therapy session? Is approval required from my primary care physician? Please note: I participate with non-disability Alliance DC Medicaid Plans and Medicare part B insurance only. I accept AmeriHealth, Trusted Health, and AmeriGroup. I accept Care First/ Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cinga, Magellan, and United Health Care. As a psychotherapist in private practice, I do not participate with straight DC Medicaid, straight VA Medicaid or Medicare Part A Plans. Any questions or concerns relating to my participation with state issued insurance can be directed to one of our patient care coordinators. Other payment options in lieu of insurance billing are also available and inquires can be directed similarly. I also practice at our Virginia Branch office in Arlington, VA on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Please contact William Rice at (703) 413-3028 to schedule an appointment with me and for state issued insurance questions.The address is 2001 Richmond Highway Suite 1201 Arlington, VA 22202
CONTACT
2001 Richmond Highway
Suite 1201
Arlington, VA 22202