Hi, I’m Sofie Phillips

I offer individual therapy for clients ages 12 and older, as well as supportive involvement of family and loved ones.

Areas of Focus

OCD and Anxiety Disorders

Shame & Identity

Emotion Regulation

*Note: While I primarily work with these populations, I also have experience supporting clients with a range of additional concerns, including self-harm, suicidal ideation, depression, ADHD, and complex trauma. If you’re unsure whether we would be a good fit, feel free to contact me directly for more information or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Modalities

  • ERP is considered the gold-standard treatment for OCD. It combines structured exposure to feared stimuli (e.g., triggers) with intentional resistance of compulsions. ERP promotes: new learning about the likelihood of feared outcomes occurring and/or one’s ability to tolerate distress without compulsions; natural anxiety reduction through repetition; and increased tolerance of uncertainty.

  • CBT is a skills-based treatment that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It targets distorted thinking patterns in order to support structured emotional and behavioral change. CBT has been adapted to target a variety of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

  • DBT is a skills-based therapy focused on four core skills: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Although DBT can be helpful for a variety of presenting concerns, it is often utilized for the management of high-risk behaviors, suicidality, and emotion dysregulation.

  • ACT is a type of therapy that promotes flexible thinking and values-based action. Among other things, ACT teaches a process called cognitive defusion, or the ability to step back from painful experiences (e.g., thoughts and feelings) in order to move forward toward personal goals. Rather than fighting to prove our thoughts true or false, ACT teaches individuals to focus instead on deciding whether “fusing” with certain experiences is effective.

Training and Experience

Professional Background

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Washington State (SWI.LW.70002599) and completed both my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work (Clinical) at the University of Washington. My experience ranges from medical social work and community mental health to group practice, where I have worked with a diverse range of ages and populations.

Following completion of my Master’s degree in 2023, I began working at a community mental health agency in Washington State, where I served as an individual and family therapist for children, adolescents, and young adults navigating a wide range of mental health concerns. I went on to complete postgraduate coursework focused on mental health in children and young people at the University of Edinburgh before joining a group practice in Seattle as a therapist for children and adults.

I primarily specialize in treating obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders, as well as working with individuals experiencing emotion dysregulation and pervasive shame. In my treatment of OCD, I routinely integrate techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) alongside Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to best meet each client’s unique needs. I remain committed to lifelong learning and prioritize ongoing consultation, training, and clinical supervision to ensure I provide effective care and continue to grow professionally.

Specialized Training

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD — Cognitive Behavior Institute

  • CBT+ Learning Initiative — Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Foundational Training — Behavioral Tech Institute

  • Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), Basic Training — Currently completing training through the OCD Training School