Athena H. Phillips, MSW, CSWA

Athena H. Phillips, MSW, CSWA
Profession(s): Counseling, Social Work, Social Work
License Status:  I'm a licensed professional.
Licensing Info:  I am a Certified Social Work Associate (plan of supervision towa
License Type:  CSWA
License Number:  C002172

My Approach to Helping

My interest in working with others is derived from a fundamental belief in the goodness of people. I approach the helping field from a basic perspective of optimism and an attempt to understand what motivates us in both positive and negative ways. I am genuinely interested in people, which essentially makes listening a natural skill for me and fosters my unfettered passion for my profession. My approach is collaborative in that I assume you are the expert on what your needs are and I have the clinical skills to assist you in achieving goals you have set for yourself. I am very energetic and creative; I enjoy a lot of laughter and humor while maintaining a deep dedication to those I serve.

More Info About My Practice

In addition to above mentioned specializations, my work as a Psychiatric Social Worker/Medical Social Worker has exposed me to a wide variety of circumstances. Many families I serve in this setting are faced with having to place a significantly ill family member in a care facility or are faced with their own illness. Coming to terms with such circumstances can be painful and therapy can be a beneficial support. I have also worked with children with disabilites in a variety of capacities. I understand the impact this can have on a family as well as a disabled individual and can be of assistance. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your inquiry.
 

Services I Provide

  • Individual Therapy & Counseling
  • Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
  • Family Therapy
  • Group Therapy
 

Ages I Work With

  • Children
  • Teens
  • Adults
  • Elders
 

Languages I Speak

  • English
 

Groups I Work With

  • I am interested in and able to serve a variety of populations, although I do have more expertise in certain areas. I have spent some time focusing on crisis and trauma and plan on continuing to develop this area as a specialty in my practice. Additionally, I have worked with underrepresented or vulnerable populations such as GLBT, women, and disabled individuals/families. I currently work with acutely mentally ill individuals as well as those with severe mood disorders but who are functional enough to work on an outpatient basis. Finally, I have focused my education on survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse/violence, long-term trauma, and women involved in the sex industry.
 

Therapy Approaches I Use

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy /REBT
  • Family Systems Therapy
  • Self Psychology
 
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Locations & Maps
Office 1: 
37 SW Jefferson
Portland, OR 97116 United States
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Concerns & Issues I Help With

  • Abuse / Survivors of Abuse
  • Abandonment and/or Fear of
  • Abortion / Post Abortion Issues
  • Academic Concerns
  • Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions
  • Adoption / Reunion Issues
  • Aggression
  • Agoraphobia
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment Issues
  • Batterer Intervention
  • Bereavement
  • Bipolar
  • Blended Family Issues
  • Career Choice
  • Caregiver Issues/Stress
  • Child and/or Adolescent Issues
  • Chronic Pain
  • Communication Problems
  • Compulsions
  • Control Issues
  • Creative Blocks
  • Depression
  • Developmental Disorders (Autism, Aspergers, etc.)
  • Dissociation
  • Divorce / Divorce Adjustment
  • Domestic Violence
  • Emptiness
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Emotional Overwhelm
  • End-of-life Adjustment
  • Family Problems
  • Family of Origin Issues
  • Fertility Issues
  • Forgiveness
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, & Transgender Issues
  • Geriatric Issues
  • Grief & Loss
  • Habits
  • Health/Medical Issues
  • Identity Issues
  • Impulsivity
  • Inadequacy
  • Infidelity / Affair Recovery
  • Irritability
  • Isolation (Emotional & Social)
  • Men's Issues
  • Midlife Transition
  • Mood Disturbance
  • Mood Swings
  • Obsessions
  • Panic
  • Parenting
  • Phobias / Fears
  • Physical Abuse
  • Physical Illness/Disease
  • Post Partum Depression
  • Post Traumatic Stress
  • Prejudice / Discrimination
  • Relationships & Marriage
  • Reproduction, Pregnancy, & Birthing
  • Self-Care
  • Self-Confidence
  • Self-Criticism
  • Self-Doubt
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm (Cutting, etc.)
  • Sensitivity to Criticism
  • Sex / Sexuality Issues
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Shame
  • Social Phobia/Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Suicidal (Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors)
  • Suspiciousness
  • Trauma
  • Trust Issues
  • Women's Issues
  • Workplace Issues
  • Worry
  • Worthlessness