Who Am I?
Kerri Phillips, MSc
They
Queer and non-binary
Zen Buddhist Priest-In-Training
Studied neo-paganism for many years
Sex positive
Sex work affirming
Kink-aware
Polyam-affirming
Neuro-affirming
Trauma and Abuse Recovery specialist
PhD in Gender and Sexuality Studies
Author of the book Queer Engaged Buddhism
What makes me different from other therapists?
Offerings Include:
1 on 1 Therapeutic Sessions (Psychotherapy)
I hold a Doctorate in Gender and Sexuality Studies, giving me a deep understanding of feminist therapy, gender dysphoria, HIV/AIDS, and our complex relationships with sexual identity and sexual trauma.
I also have a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies, I have taught university courses in Buddhism and Psychotherapy, and I am training to be a Zen Buddhist Priest. This allows me to weave Buddhist psychology into sessions, with beginner and advanced self-compassion meditations for deep healing.
I studied neo-paganism broadly, Wicca, tarot, Reiki, and yoga for several years and am highly familiar with the witchy world.
I’m not just trauma-informed, I am a trauma therapist. I serve as a guide for those healing complex traumas related to child abuse, intimate partner and domestic violence, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, and cult survivors. I blend embodied, somatic practices and nervous system regulation with methods for healing trauma that don’t necessarily require reliving it.
Trauma lives in the body. I value a bottom-up approach to therapy, which helps folks learn to identify where they feel emotions in the body, and how they might release the physical contraction and give themselves compassion.
I hold anti-oppressive, queer, decolonial, and crip/Mad/disability affirming space for activists, working to empower you to heal yourself so that you can better heal those around you.
Our world has traumatized marginalized communities for so long. We deserve to be held in compassionate presence as we heal from abuse.
How Do I Work?
Gender Therapy, Feminist Therapy, & 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirmative Counselling
I offer specialized therapy for gender and sexuality-related challenges. I am here to support you on your gender journey to discovering what gender feels right for you. I help trans and non-binary folks explore coping strategies for gender dysphoria and I can work with you to discover what brings more gender euphoria. I am also available for sessions related to figuring our your sexuality, coming out, HIV/AIDS and STI related difficulties, navigating healing as a queer newcomer, exploring open relationships or polyamory, navigating sex work, and much more.
Trauma Therapy and Abuse Recovery
I offer specialized services in trauma counselling, such as (but not limited to) healing from complex trauma and child abuse, intimate partner and domestic violence, sexual violence, and trauma related to oppression and marginalization. I have specialized training in some of the most well researched trauma therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Compassion Focused Therapy for complex trauma. I can offer sessions that involve healing the impact of trauma on the present without having to relive every detail. We can do exercises to look at where emotions and trauma are stored in the body and we can connect with both the inner child and the inner nurturer to reparent the self, developing deep self-compassion. I guide folks in accessing post-traumatic growth and hope after trauma.
Buddhist Psychotherapy
I see folks of all faiths and I spent many years seriously studying neo-paganism. I am also currently studying to be a Zen Buddhist Priest and I can integrate Buddhist-informed modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (focusing on things like mindfulness and our values), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (looking at how meditation can help with challenges like anxiety and depression), and Compassion Focused Therapy (developing a compassionate self to heal from shame and self-criticism). I bring experience as a former professor in the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health Program at the University of Toronto.
“When things fall apart and we are on the verge of we know not what, that is the moment when we can change our habitual patterns and embrace our emotions.”
— Pema Chodron, a Buddhist monastic/nun
Qualifications
Registered Social Service Worker, Psychotherapist
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression & Anxiety
PsychWire
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Level 2 Accreditation
Association of Psychological Therapies
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Buddhism
Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism
Buddhist Grief Counselling Certificate
Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism
Buddhist Psychology and Gestalt Therapy
Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism
Building Inclusivity Through Anti-Racism
Western University
Compassion-Focused Therapy: Level 2 Accreditation Association of Psychological Therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Level 2 Accreditation Association of Psychological Therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Techniques
University of New Brunswick
PhD in Gender and Sexuality Studies
University of Western Ontario
Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies
University of South Wales
Ontario College Diploma in Social Service Work
George Brown College
Cognitive Processing Therapy Mastery Course for Treating Trauma and PTSD
PESI
Complex Trauma Certification Training
PESI
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Level 2 Accreditation Association of Psychological Therapies
Mindful Self-Compassion
Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion
Motivational Interviewing for Gay Men Struggling with Sex & Drugs
Gay Poz Sex Program
Reiki Level 1 & 2
Healing Bay Wellness
Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Vedanta
"Magick, in it's own way, is a science of psychology because it uses the power of the mind to bring forth change in one's life"
— Silver Ravenwolf