Generational Cycles of Anxiety Can Stop With Your Child
If your child is gifted, creative, and caring—but life still feels really hard—you’re not alone.
My clients struggle in the same ways yours might.
When they first come to me, they’re exhausted by their own high standards.
They beat themselves up over the smallest mistake. A tiny writing error turns into erasing the page four or five times—until the paper tears and the tears follow.
They wake up already anxious. Mornings feel chaotic and tense. Getting out the door takes longer than it should, and everyone ends up overwhelmed before the day even begins. Some mornings, they plead to stay home.
At school, they struggle to connect.
They spiral after a peer interaction no one else even noticed. They come home in tears—again—feeling left out, called out, or confused by why friendships feel so hard.
Their perfectionism and rigidity hold them back from the life they want.
They don’t feel like the student they want to be.
They’re unsure where they stand socially.
And their sense of being a “good kid” is starting to crumble.
You might be wondering…
“Will therapy make my child feel like something is wrong with them?”
“What if they don’t want to go?”
“Will this actually help my child—the one who’s not your typical therapy kid?”
I hear these questions often. And I get it.
You want support, but you also want to protect your child’s spark, their pride, and their self-worth.
The truth is: shame can sneak in early for gifted kids.
They start to believe they’re either too much or not enough.
And over time, that belief chips away at their confidence.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Your child deserves more than just coping.
They deserve calm mornings without meltdowns.
They deserve to feel confident, proud, and safe in their own skin.
And yes—they can learn to handle frustration without falling apart.
If you want your child to feel good about who they are—proud of their effort, not just their outcome—I’d love to help.
Let’s make space for your child to thrive.
Call now. They don’t have to suffer. I can help.
You’ve been searching for a therapist who really gets your bright, sensitive, deep-feeling kid—and you’ve finally found her.
Hi, I’m Ashley Phillips. I’m a pediatric psychologist with over 20 years experience specializing in helping gifted and twice-exceptional children (and their parents) move beyond anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional overwhelm to build calmer, more connected lives.
With nearly two decades of experience, I’ve supported families through the highs and lows of raising brilliant-but-sensitive kids—those who cry over broken crayons, spiral over missed social cues, and fall apart over small mistakes. I’ve worked in leading institutions like UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Valley Children’s Hospital, but my heart is right here—in helping families like yours who are quietly struggling with how hard daily life has become.
As a former elementary school teacher (and a twice-exceptional kid myself), I bring a unique mix of clinical expertise and lived experience. I know what it’s like to watch a child ace their spelling test but collapse emotionally when their routine changes. I understand the deep fear that your child is starting to believe they’re the problem. And I know how hard you’re trying to raise a confident, emotionally healthy child while second-guessing yourself every step of the way.
My approach is warm, playful, and no-nonsense. I’ll help you get to the root of what’s driving the meltdowns, spirals, or shutdowns—and support your child in building the skills they need to thrive, without shaming or pressuring them.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s create a calmer, more joyful life for your extraordinary child—and for you.
—Ashley Phillips, PhD
Licensed Psychologist in California #34460
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My Specialized Trainings
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Health psychology is a field within psychology that studies how psychological, social, and biological factors influence health and illness, focusing on how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors impact physical well-being, with the goal of promoting healthy behaviors, preventing disease, and improving quality of life for individuals managing illnesses; essentially, it examines the intersection between mind and body when it comes to health. I trained at the prestigious UCSF post-doctoral fellowship training program in health psychology. Pediatric psychology is health psychology with kids and families!
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CBIT is a non-drug treatment for motor tics and Tourette’s Syndrome. I obtained my training with the University of Utah Tic Lab. I am passionate about learning non-medication treatments for all disorders but especially tics! CBIT has been shown to be as effective as medication for tic relief but with no side effects. CBIT is still developing and I am always active in the training and research community.
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My undergraduate research was focused on children with traumatic brain injuries and measurement tools (psychometric instruments) that help screen for brain injuries. I went on to have formal training with The Wright Institute’s Integrative Behavioral Health Training Program at Berkeley. I saw people of all ages in a family practice clinic in the East Bay and utilized a number of neuropsychological, psychological, and education assessments. My reports severed various purposes from forensic to educational.
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My husband, son & I in 2023
Dr. California 2024
Most of my friends are Queens!
Charity work is a core value for us.
I’m outdoorsy
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