Kathleen Phelps has worked in the mental health field since 1990. She enjoys working with adults, teens and families. While she has a broad knowledge of a variety of issues, she has extensive clinical experience and training in: eating disorders, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, body image issues and working through life’s transitional issues. Kathleen supervises interns working on their hours for licensure for both Marriage and Family Therapist Interns and Associate Clinical Social Workers, as well. She is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor for Alliant University students.
Kathleen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and received her Masters of Social Work from San Diego State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with the persistently mentally ill in both a psychosocial rehabilitation model and an outpatient hospital setting. She has ten years of experience providing outpatient psychotherapy at a Health Maintenance Organization in San Diego, where she also oversees the treatment plans for all eating disorder cases and supervises interns from San Diego State University’s Social Work program. Kathleen is an instructor of both undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Phoenix in their psychology and human services programs.
Kathleen likes to say, “We are all works in progress.” We are all striving to achieve our best. However, sometimes events happen in our lives that get in our way, cause stress and make it difficult to even keep our heads afloat. Often times these life stressors cause or exacerbate negative feelings which you may be trying to avoid. Sometimes this can lead to things like over or undereating, isolating, or simply not wanting to get out of bed. It is a real strength to reach out and ask for help from a therapist, to be able to build your support system during these times and work together in finding the right direction for you.
Sometimes we get in the way of our own selves, choosing unhealthy behaviors, relationships or ways of coping that may hurt us in the long run. This is a perfect time to sit down and figure out how to stop unhealthy behaviors and how to increase progress towards goals. Have you ever thought, “If I woke up tomorrow and a miracle happened where I was granted my ideal life, what would that look like?” Kathleen will help you work towards these goals and make your life fulfilling.
Kathleen uses a cognitive behavioral orientation to help you take a look at your thoughts and how they might be negatively impacting you. Kathleen also helps you set goals around your behavior, helping you to change in ways that are closer to your ideal. She also uses other techniques and skills tailored to fit your situation using strengths you already possess. Kathleen feels that it is important to find a therapist whom you trust, both for their knowledge and compassion. She truly cares about her clients and looks forward to helping you.
Specializes in: Eating disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Grief and loss, stress, Domestic Violence, ASW/MFTI Supervision. License/Registration Information: LCS 20058 |
