Dr. Kristin Phillips

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Dr. Phillips contracts with Wellness Psychological Services to offer services in our Tampa office as well as remote video services online across the state of Florida.

Hi, I am Dr. Kristin Phillips. I am a Licensed Psychologist with extensive experience in Health Psychology. I specialize in helping adults cope with chronic or life-limiting medical conditions, make positive health behavior changes, manage stress, adjust to new roles in life, and cope with grief or loss.

Within the area of Health Psychology, I have unique training in Psycho-Oncology. That is, I have expertise working with individuals who have had a diagnosis of cancer, their loved ones, and their health care providers. My experiences have included working with newly diagnosed individuals, those going through active treatment, and long-term survivors. I also have experience working as a member of chronic pain, palliative care, and hospice teams.

Through my years as a health psychologist, I have come to appreciate how important it is to practice self-care and also to take action on our life goals while we are able to do so. Unfortunately, many of us don’t prioritize self-care in times of heightened stress and life goals are often post-postponed in times of uncertainty.

When I meet with a new client, I like to start by asking them about their goals for therapy and what they want to see different in their lives. We work together to establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals, and through the course of treatment we can Evaluate your progress and Revise your goals as necessary (SMART-ER goals).

Whether you are coming in for managing stress, coping with loss, or adjusting to a life change, I look forward to working together with you to help you reach your goals and improving your quality of life.   

STRESS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIZATION

A stressor is anything that places a demand on us. A stressor can be physical, mental, or emotional. Through Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) training, skills are presented for becoming aware of our triggers, recognizing our reactions, replacing unhelpful thoughts (e.g., “should” statements, catastrophizing about the worst that could happen) with more helpful ways of thinking, and identifying appropriate ways to cope.

WORRY & UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE

For many of us, worry is often associated with thoughts about “why” from the past and “what if” about the future. To manage worry and cope with uncertainty, my approach to treatment is largely present-focused. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge distorted thoughts, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to accept what cannot be changed while taking action on important goals, Relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension, and Mindfulness techniques to redirect one’s focus to living more fully in the present.  

COPING WITH CHRONIC DISEASE SPECIALIZATION

If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, you may have also experienced worry, depression, and/or sleep disturbance. Whether you are adjusting to a new diagnosis or managing long-term effects of a chronic illness, I can help you make health behavior changes, cope with losses, and manage distress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are two evidence-based treatments that have been effective for managing depression and anxiety. In addition to helping with mood, research has also shown psychotherapy to be helpful for managing chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbance. 

BEREAVEMENT, GRIEF & LOSS SPECIALIZATION

Whether you are experiencing the loss of a loved one, loss of the life you once had, or loss of physical functioning, I am here to help. As a former Goals of Care Conversations trainer, not only am I comfortable having conversations with people about death and loss, but I have also trained other health care professionals on how they too can become more comfortable having end-of-life discussions with their patients and their loved ones.

OTHER ADULT PSYCHOTHERAPY SPECIALIZATIONS:

• Panic Attacks
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Specific Phobias
• Depression
• Health Behavior Change (e.g., weight management, lifestyle changes for diabetes)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
• Assertiveness and Effective Communication Skills
• Relaxation Training
• Life Transitions and Adjustment Disorders
• Coping with Infertility/Pregnancy Loss
• Caregiver Stress
• Medical Professional Stress