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Dr. Betty Phillips provides caring professional services to help individuals face and conquer
the challenges of their lives. Her interest in people began in her childhood, and by adolescence she was "counseling"
her friends by phone and volunteering as a candy-striper at the local hospital. Facing tragedy early due to the accidental
death of her younger sister deepened her interest in assisting others cope with loss. By junior high school she had decided
to become a psychologist. After graduating from Brown University (Summa Cum Laude with Highest Honors in Psychology, Phi Beta
Kappa), she obtained her Ph.D.in Clinical Psychology at Harvard University. Dr. Phillips worked with families, adults and
children in Massachusetts, Texas, and now in North Carolina. For 14 years she held teaching appointments at the University
of Texas at Austin as Adjunct Associate and Assistant Professor in the field of School Psychology and Special Education. She
has made presentations at national, state and local conferences and published one book on school psychology. Dr. Phillips
was honored as Psychologist of the Year by the Austin Capital Area Psychological Association and for her community services
by the Austin Mental Health Association and the Austin Child Guidance Center.
Dr. Phillips chose to settle in
Chatham County, North Carolina, after her children left home for college. In 1995 she joined Main Street Clinical Associates
in Durham as a Partner, then in 2005 relocated to an office in Durham and finally opened Forest Garden full time in 2008. Her
husband, Robert Phillips, an artisan and builder, designed the Forest Garden Office, fulfilling Dr. Phillips dream of welcoming
clients to the natural beauty of her gardens on their homestead. Dr. Phillips experience as a cancer survivor deepened her
appreciation of life and life challenges as well as her interest in providing personalized and meaningful services to her
clients.
Dr. Phillips has a deep respect for the individuality of her clients and their life choices. She is open,
flexible and affirmative of alternative lifestyles. In the early 1990s she was one of the original sponsors and board members
of the organization OutYouth Austin, Austin, Texas.
In 1996 Dr. Phillips decided to add a specialty in providing
services to separating and divorced families. She developed a variety of services which can be individualized to meet the
needs of the family.
Whatever the challenges that life has presented to you, Dr. Phillips philosophy is to assist
you in optimizing your happiness and contentment. Her role as therapist or life coach is not to "shrink" you but
instead to help you understand your life stress, take a look at your choices to face troublesome life problems and achieve
desired goals. She is an active participant in the process, not just sitting back and taking notes, but working with you and
providing special expertise to help you improve the quality of your life. While therapy services do take a look at the past
circumstances contributing to current problems, Dr. Phillips will focus on your present issues and concerns. New learning
is facilitated in a counseling or coaching relationship of respect and appreciation for you and your future potential.
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