We recently connected with Lee Phillips and have shared our conversation below.

Lee, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In March of 2021, I took a risk by opening my own psychotherapy and s*x therapy practice. Before starting my own practice, I was part of a group psychotherapy practice that accepted health insurance. I do not accept health insurance at my private practice, and I was fortunate enough that most of my clients followed because there was not a certified s*x therapist at the group practice. My clients went from using their insurance to pay out of pocket to see me. I was honored. With my first location in McLean, Virginia right outside of Washington, DC, I then expanded my practice with a move to New York City to also pursue a career in the media in June of 2021. I opened my second office in midtown east Manhattan. I took a trip out to the Hamptons in May of 2022 and found another office that I liked. I thought to myself, the Hamptons would be a great location to practice in the summer. I now have three locations. I took a risk of not knowing how I was going to pay rent at my Hamptons office without having clients at the location. It is slowly picking up. You must take risks as an entrepreneur.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I became a psychotherapist after completing my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in May of 2008. For 12 years, I was an actor and a dancer, but knew that I wanted to help others and this is why I pursued a career in social work. I worked in community mental health for 12 years before becoming a business owner. I needed experience first and had the honor of working with diverse populations. I have worked with adolescents, adults, and geriatric adults in the course of my career. I also worked in inpatient psychiatric settings for 2 years after completing graduate school. While working in community mental health, I began my Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Behavioral Health in 2012. I worked 40 hours a week while working on my doctorate degree. It was a challenging and a humbling experience. I completed my doctorate degree in 2017. I then moved to Washington, DC and worked as a clinical manager in an outpatient behavioral health setting. I did not like it. I could push paper all day and look at spreadsheets, but I missed the clinical aspect of my work and I left after being there for only a few months. I then joined a group psychotherapy practice before opening my own in 2021.

When I moved to DC in 2017, I became interested in s*x therapy because I attended a building your private practice workshop and the person who hosted it, now one of my mentors is a s*x therapist and she hooked me! After a two year process, I completed my AASECT (American Association of S*xuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) certified s*x therapist certification (CST). No I specialize in helping individuals and couples reclaim their s*xuality after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. I also specialize in working with the LGBTQIA+ population. I treat all types s*xual challenges. Everything from too low or too high of a s*xual desire, erection difficulties, premature ej*culation, orgasm difficulties, painful intercourse, s*xual trauma, gender, s*xual orientation concerns, s*xual compulsivity, and relationship issues. I am a kink, BDSM, and polyamorous affirming therapist. I am passionate about working with the kink, People of Color, BDSM, LGBTQIA+, and polyamorous communities. Often people who are members of these communities feel stigmatized. As a certified s*x therapist, I provide a non-judgmental environment for all of my clients, and I am so proud of this work!

I utilize a variety of approaches in my craft such as client-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, acceptance & commitment therapy, somatic psychotherapy, and psychodynamic therapy. In therapy, I explore with my clients different ways their past experiences may impact their life, and explore how they would like to grow from these experiences. This is not easy work and it takes discipline. I get up at 4:00am, I am in the gym by 5:00am daily. I complete my workout at 6:00am, meditate, spend time with my husband and dogs and then I am in my office at 8:30am. I work until 9:00pm Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm Fridays, and 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturdays.

What sets me apart from others is my determination and I am very proud of it. When I want something, I go after it. I am also diverse with the types of clients I treat (substance use, chronic illness, pain, and disability, s*xual challenges, gender identity and s*xual orientation concerns). I am a licensed psychotherapist in DC, MD, VA, and NY. I have three certifications. I am certified substance abuse counselor (CSAC), certified s*x therapist (CST), and a certified s*x and couples therapist (CSCT). What I want people to know about me is that I am extremely passionate in my work. This is not easy work, and you must have the drive and passion to do it. I want people to know that I am empathetic and at the same time, I am very honest. I do not like to “sugar coat” things. I say how I feel, but I do it with respect and because I care. If you want to be successful in a business, do not expect it to come over night. Get ready to oder pizza, eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and get ready not to pay your bills on time. I also recommend you hire people to help you ( assistant, social media manager, publicist). You need to market, market, and market). Go to as many networking events as possible!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I opened my private practice in March of 2021, I knew that I did not want to stay in Virginia. I moved to New York City to attend college at the age of 19. I left New York City at the age of 20 feeling defeated. My dream was to be a dancer and actor on Broadway. I dropped out of college at the age of 20 because I was cast in an independent film. I worked as a dancer at a night club. The film fell through and I had to return home to Virginia. I felt like a failure. However, I knew that I would return one day. I made a promise to myself. I then completed my BA, MSW, and Ed.D degrees and I have returned to New York City 21 years later. In fact, I live just a few blocks from where I went to college. Life is a circle and you have to be determined to succeed.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I often think what would have happened if I have stayed in New York at the age of 20. I would have liked a career in fashion. I am obsessed with fashion week here in New York. I miss acting at times. It is my first love.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drleephillips.com
• Instagram: @drleephillips
• Facebook: @drleephillips
• Youtube: drleephillips@gmail.com
• Yelp: drleephillips@gmail.com

Image Credits
Patrick McMullan Co. for the picture with his blue logo Rob Rich for Picture at desk.