Dr. Derek Phillips

Hi there! I am a licensed clinical and prescribing psychologist in Illinois, a licensed psychologist in Florida, and board-certified in medical psychology. Before joining Arcus, I spent several years as a clinical neuropsychologist in the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in central Illinois. Since 2020, I’ve also served as the executive director of the M.S. in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) program at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where I continue to teach psychopharmacology in the APA-accredited clinical psychology PhD program. Teaching and mentoring the next generation of psychologists is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.

My path in psychology started at Olivet Nazarene University, where I completed my B.S. in psychology and social work. I went on to earn my M.A. in counseling psychology (2012) and later my Psy.D. in clinical psychology with a concentration in clinical neuropsychology (2015), both from Adler University in Chicago. Because of my deep interest in the intersection of psychology and medicine, I completed a postdoctoral M.S. in clinical psychopharmacology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2020, followed by an 18-month prescribing psychology residency at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to serve the field in many leadership roles. I’m a former member of the APA Council of Representatives, past chair of the APA Board of Convention Affairs, past president of APA Division 55 and the Illinois Psychological Association, and former treasurer of APA Division 44. Currently, I serve as founding president of the American Board of Psychopharmacological Psychology, vice chair of the Illinois Clinical Psychologists Licensing & Disciplinary Board, chair of the Behavioral Medicine & Neuropsychology Section of the Illinois Psychological Association, a member of the American Psychological Foundation Board of Trustees, secretary and president-elect-designate of APA Division 42, chair-elect of the APA RxP Designation Committee, a member of the APA Coding Advisory Group, and a member-at-large of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists.

At the heart of all of this—my clinical work, teaching, leadership, and advocacy—is a genuine commitment to helping people live healthier, more empowered lives. I’m honored to be a fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Illinois Psychological Association, and I remain deeply invested in advancing our profession in ways that support both clinicians and the communities we serve.