Biography
Dr. Anita Phillips is a trauma therapist, life coach, and minister. Widely recognized as a thought leader at the intersection of mental health, faith, and culture, Dr. Anita holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the Regent University School of Psychology & Counseling and completed a NIH funded post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her expertise and research interests center on culturally competent theory development and the application of that work to understanding how diversity impacts the way that faith communities conceptualize mental health. As a professor, a clinical supervisor, and a mentor she challenges students to think critically –even skeptically– about everything they learn in hopes that one of their fresh ideas might one day change the face of professional counseling.
From The Potter’s House to Lakewood Church and from Woman Evolve to the IF Conference, Dr. Anita’s dynamic voice has been heard on some of the largest Christian platforms in the country. As a media personality she has been trusted by the likes of Tamron Hall, The Talk, Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Red Table Talk, and the Today Show. Dr. Anita’s faith + mental health advocacy campaigns have reached hundreds of thousands and her podcast, In the Light with Dr. Anita, has more than two million downloads. She is also the author of the paradigm-shifting book, The Garden Within: Where the War with Your Emotions ends and Your Most Powerful Life Begins. In her downtime she adores time with her family and friends, a good pint of ice cream, and sitting by the ocean.