DON PHILLIPS, MS

Licensed Professional Counselor

National Certified Counselor

Master's Level Addiction Professional
  

Don received his Masters Degree from Alabama A&M University where he pursued both clinical and counseling psychology. His academic and research interests include social isolation as a dimension of acuity in patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Don performed observational research at the Huntsville/Madison County Mental Health Center where he was also employed as both a Day Treatment Technician and a Case Manager for the severely mentally ill. His clinical interests involve helping people become happy and successful at navigating life’s challenging journey.

Don is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, 
a Master’s Level Addictions Professional and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor as conferred by the State of Alabama, the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), the Alabama Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (AADAA) and the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, respectively. Don is currently working on his Master Addition Counselor (MAC) credential from the National Board of Certified Counselor.

Don continuously updates his counseling knowledge and therapeutic skills by attending seminars and workshops designed to keep professionals current on the latest clinical research and counseling methods. Don is a member of both the American and Alabama Counselor Associations (ALCA). Don is currently president of the Alabama Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors, a division of the ALCA, and a board member at large of AADAA.

Having worked in the behavioral health units of both Huntsville and Crestwood Hospitals, Don has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions, including depressive disorders and co-occurring illness. Don served as the Treatment Services Coordinator at Huntsville Metro Treatment Center and as Outpatient Therapist for Cedar Lodge, a substance abuse treatment facility in Guntersville.

Being in recovery himself, Don brings a unique and insightful perspective to the treatment of substance abuse issues. Don provides counseling, psychotherapy and groups for adolescents and adults. Don directs a bi-weekly Outpatient Program meeting for individuals dealing with substance dependence and abuse issues.

Struggling with and overcoming alcoholism and depression have taught Don quite a bit about spiritual growth. He has learned the value of being joyful in even the most challenging circumstances. Don wants to pass on this knowledge to others as a life coach. He is eager to assist individuals in accessing internal and external sources of strength in order to help them realize their dreams, successfully meet life’s challenges and achieve long-lasting peace of mind.

Don’s personal interests include swimming, jet skiing, kite surfing, hiking, reading, music, movies, martial arts and aviation.  Don currently holds a green belt (2^nd degree) from the Moo Duk Kwan school of Taekwwondo. Don has also flown a Cessna 172 "Skyhawk" solo while working toward his private pilot’s license.

Don volunteers at a Christ-centered recovery facility for men known as The Way, Inc.  Don and his wife reside in Huntsville and are one of the planting families of an inner city church called The Village.  They have two cantankerous cats named Harry and Amelia (“Squeely”).

Don graduated from Huntsville High School and Calhoun Community C0llege. He graduated from Athens State University, summa cum laude. Don is a veteran of the United States Navy.

• Substances Abuse Counseling
• Behavioral Addictions
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Life Transition Support and Guidance
• Depression Counseling
• Marriage Counseling