Dr. Amy Phillips, EdD, LCPC, LMHC

Counseling Psychologist

LMHC licensure in Washington State

LMHC licensure in New York State

LCPC licensure in Maryland

EMDR Certification (face to face and via telehealth) in WA State, Maryland, NY State

Bio

I was born in Frankfurt, Germany when my father was in the U.S. Army and my mother got to join him there. I became a naturalized U.S. citizen under the age of 2 and grew up in Elmira, NY. In Elmira, I grew up in the Irish part of the city, though I am multicultural (Italian, German, Irish and English) and my parents were from both New York City (Hell’s Kitchen) and Maryland/Washington, DC. My various cultural backgrounds and experiences with both side of my family that came from very disparate sides of the economic continuum are important parts of my intersecting identities. I identify as a highly sensitive person. Growing up across cultures, with a curiosity about people and a desire to help people in their lives from a very young age sparked my curiosity about psychology and how to use psychology to help people. The word psychology comes from the word psyche and the suffix ology, which means “the study of the soul/life.” I felt called to deeply understand people and the meaning of life. Specifically, I wanted to understand how people overcame challenges, healed their pain and ultimately transformed through adversity. AND I wanted to find a way to be a part of how people get where they want to be in life, which makes me very happy, and found that to do so that the best way was to become a counseling psychologist and mental health counselor.

Educational Background

I’ve got an eclectic educational background to say the least and it’s helped me greatly in my work with my counseling clients. I have an associate’s degree from Corning Community College in foreign languages (French, German, Spanish and Japanese). I loved languages since childhood and studied French from age 12 through the end of my BA in counseling psychology as a minor from Elmira College. At Elmira College I also studiedJapanese as well from a professor who was a native speaker. I also received a bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) with a major in English, which led me to be able to teach English, general education and special education for grades K-12. Then, I attended UMGC again for my MEd in Instructional Technology, which allowed me the opportunity to teach English and Writing at a community college and at Elmira College in the school’s Freshman Writing Program for 2 years. Next, I earned my MA in Professional Counseling and my EdD in Counseling Psychology at Argosy University’s Washington, DC campus. Then, to boost my multicultural awareness and multicultural counseling training, I earned my PhD (ABD) in International Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Washington, DC campus. My research for my EdD in Counseling Psychology focused on the over diagnosis and misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in clients who have Medicaid as their insurance as compared to clients who have commercial insurance plans. For my PhD (ABD) in Counseling Psychology, my dissertation focused on domestic violence that was born out of the civil war in Peru towards women in Lima, Peru and their resiliency. I completed my APA accredited internships at both Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services residential unit and the Binghamton Psychiatric Center. For the International Psychology program, I went on 2 field experiences: Manila, Philippines and São Paulo, Brazil. I have extensive clinical experience in residential treatment, work with adults with developmental disabilities, private practice, university counseling centers, community mental health, and primary care settings. I moved to Seattle in 2022 to open my private practice there in addition to my private practices in Maryland and New York State. Due to the pandemic and post pandemic, I now only offer counseling services and EMDR via telehealth.

​In my free time, I love to spend time with my wonderful dogs and cats, explore nature and travel when I’m able to do so. Also, I have returned to my roots as an artist and am now earning my MFA in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Fees

Free 1/2 Hour Consultation 30 minutes Free

Individual Intake Session 60 minutes $300

Individual Counseling Session 60 minutes $300

EMDR Prep Session 60 minutes $300

EMDR Session Variable/Individualized $360

***Flat rate due to specialty****

EMDR Follow-up Review Session 60 minutes $300

I am not paneled with any insurance company in Washington State or in New York State. My clients attend therapy on an out-of-network basis or pay for sessions out of pocket. If you would like to use your out-of-network benefits, please contact your insurance company prior to our first meeting. Ask what the out-of-network reimbursement would be for EMDR or outpatient psychotherapy. Often, EMDR is not covered by insurance. The specific amount of this reimbursement depends on your plan. I will provide you with the statements your insurance requires in the form of a Superbill via pdf to your email address the same day as your session. Insurance companies often reimburse their clients within the same week I am told.

​You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.