Dr. Donna Phillips, PHD

Dr. Donna Phillips, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist (Preventive Mental Health) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Mental Health care. She practices at her clinic in Miami, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her commitment to preventive care extends to all ages, recognizing that mental well-being is a lifelong journey. She is currently welcoming new patients to embark on this proactive health journey; call (305) 751-8626 to schedule.

Clinical psychologists specializing in preventive mental health partner with you to build resilience, utilize evidence-based therapies, create long-term wellness plans, coordinate necessary screenings, and serve as your primary partner in proactively safeguarding your mental well-being. Dr. Donna Phillips, PhD, a psychologist in Miami, FL, understands the importance of a collaborative approach. She graduated from the University of Miami in 1994, completed an internship at Rush Medical College in 1992, and earned her medical degree from the University of Miami. Her approach to care is centered on evidence-based medicine and fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Donna PHD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Donna PHD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Donna PHD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Donna PHD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Addiction: Preventing addiction involves understanding your risk factors and developing healthy coping mechanisms to avoid developing harmful substance use or behavioral patterns.
• Anxiety: Proactive anxiety management through techniques like mindfulness or therapy can build resilience and prevent future struggles with overwhelming stress.
• Depressive Disorders: Don't wait until depression severely impacts your life; proactive mental health care can prevent escalating symptoms and build resilience against future challenges.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Addressing PTSD promptly through evidence-based therapies can prevent it from impacting relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
• Relationship Issues: Investing in healthy relationship skills is preventative mental healthcare; it helps avoid future emotional distress and conflict.
• Autism: Early identification of autism spectrum disorder allows for timely interventions that can significantly improve communication, social skills, and overall quality of life, preventing future challenges.
• Bipolar Disorder: Regular check-ups and proactive management of bipolar disorder can reduce the risk of serious complications, hospitalizations, and improve overall quality of life.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Donna PHD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Parenting Classes: Gain valuable insights into child development and effective communication strategies to improve family relationships and promote emotional well-being.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Protect your well-being by getting screened for dual diagnosis; this comprehensive approach helps prevent the worsening of mental health conditions and substance abuse issues.
• Psychological Testing: Psychological testing helps identify potential mental health challenges early, allowing for proactive intervention and preventing more serious issues down the line.
• Trauma and Critical Care (Psychological trauma): Screen for the lingering effects of trauma to promote mental wellness and prevent its escalation into serious mental health issues.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Strengthen your resilience against depression and anxiety by participating in MBCT, a proven approach that teaches you to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
• Biofeedback: Take a proactive step towards better mental health by using biofeedback to identify and manage physical symptoms linked to stress and anxiety, before they escalate.
• Eating Management: Address potential eating issues early through education and support to prevent them from impacting your mental health.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Clinical Psychologists (Preventive Mental Health) in Florida.

Dr. Donna PHD is dedicated to partnering with Family Members and Support Systems to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Individual's life:

• By understanding potential risk factors and developing healthy coping mechanisms, a patient proactively reduced the likelihood of developing problematic substance use, fostering a sense of well-being and control.
• By practicing mindfulness techniques, a patient learned to recognize and manage anxious thoughts, fostering a greater sense of calm and resilience in their daily life. This proactive approach helped prevent future anxiety episodes and enabled them to navigate stressful situations more effectively.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Mental Health care with Dr. Donna PHD:

What is a Clinical Psychologist, and how can they help me?

A clinical psychologist, like Dr. Donna, is a doctoral-level expert in mental and emotional health. They provide evidence-based therapy to help you develop coping strategies, build resilience, and prevent life's challenges from becoming mental health crises.

What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

Psychologists, like Dr. Donna, hold a PhD or PsyD and specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are medical doctors (MD or DO) who can prescribe medication and also provide therapy. Often, psychologists and psychiatrists work together as part of a comprehensive treatment team.

Do I need to have a serious mental illness to see a psychologist?

No. Seeing a psychologist like Dr. Donna PhD is beneficial for everyone, not just those with serious mental illness. Therapy helps manage everyday stress, improve relationships, navigate life transitions, and build skills to prevent more serious issues.

How can therapy help prevent my anxiety or depression from getting worse?

Therapy can be proactive in preventing anxiety or depression from worsening. Dr. Donna PhD teaches specific coping skills to manage symptoms, helps identify early warning signs of relapse, and addresses the root causes of distress, building a mental health toolkit to navigate future challenges.

How can therapy support someone in recovery from a substance use disorder?

Therapy is a crucial part of long-term recovery from substance use disorder. It helps you understand the underlying causes of your addiction, develop healthy coping strategies for triggers, and rebuild important relationships, all vital for preventing relapse.

How can couples counseling or family therapy help prevent problems?

Couples and family therapy provides a safe space to improve communication, develop conflict-resolution skills, and navigate life transitions together. This strengthens family and romantic bonds, preventing future crises and fostering a healthier, more resilient relationship.

How do you help people cope with the stress of a chronic medical illness?

Dr. Donna provides a supportive space to process the emotional impact of chronic illness and teaches practical coping strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and stress, helping to prevent the illness from leading to depression or anxiety.

What is trauma-focused therapy like EMDR?

Trauma-focused therapies, like EMDR, are specialized treatments designed to help the brain process and heal from traumatic memories. EMDR, in particular, is a structured therapy that helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic events, preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.

5200 NE 2nd Ave
Miami FL 33137
Phone: (305) 751-8626

Dr. Donna Phillips, PHD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1013964568

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Clinical Psychologists (Preventive Mental Health) like Dr. Donna PHD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your clinical psychologist (preventive mental health) about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.