Phillip is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education and teaches into the psychology programs. He has a background in secondary science teaching, physical and psychiatric disability support and child protection. He is a registered psychologist and works primarily with adults with chronic anxiety and depression or personality disorders. He is a board approved supervisor.

Phillip completed his PhD at Monash University with a focus on the experiences of Australian adult mental health workers who work with parents who have a mental illness. He has conducted research in the areas of mental health workforce issues (particularly in relation to working with parental mental illness) and perspectives of mental health recovery.