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DF Portrait of Donald Ford

Donald Ford

Compassionate, practical care grounded in evidence-based methods

LMHC Florida

Experience
13 years in practice
Focus areas
Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Donald

Donald Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with 13 years of clinical experience addressing a broad range of concerns including addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, eating difficulties, anxiety, depression, and relationship and intimacy-related issues.

Background and approach

He draws on a background that includes work in independent practice, residential treatment settings, and psychiatric hospitals, offering support to people coping with both acute crises and longer-term emotional challenges. Ford favors a collaborative, goal-oriented approach that centers the client's perspective while using evidence-informed techniques.

He commonly works within a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework and integrates methods from client-centered therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and the Gottman Method as relevant to each person's needs. His experience encompasses addiction and eating disorder treatment as well as interventions for family of origin problems, codependency, caregiver stress, and other interpersonal difficulties.

Committed to tailoring care, he aims to help clients reduce distressing symptoms and develop practical skills for managing stress, emotion regulation, communication, and life transitions. Donald Ford brings practical clinical experience and a respectful, client-focused stance to support people pursuing change and recovery.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online therapy



Donald Ford commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice new coping skills, which can reduce anxiety, depressive symptoms, and behaviors linked to addiction and eating concerns. He also integrates Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes empathy, active listening, and aligning treatment with the client's priorities to build trust and support personal growth. When appropriate, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques are used to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills useful for intense emotional states and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process; the therapist works with each person to clarify goals, assess which methods fit best, and adapt interventions as needs and preferences evolve. This shared decision-making helps tailor care to the individual's situation rather than applying a single method rigidly.

Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility in how and when someone connects. These options can make it easier to attend regular sessions around work, caregiving, or travel, and allow techniques like skills coaching and between-session check-ins to continue consistently.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
He supports people dealing with addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, eating issues, anxiety, depression, and relationship or intimacy-related problems, along with related areas like caregiver stress and codependency.
What is the therapeutic approach and style used in sessions?
He emphasizes a collaborative, goal-oriented style that centers the client's perspective and applies evidence-informed methods such as CBT, DBT, client-centered techniques, mindfulness, and Gottman principles as appropriate.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
He has 13 years of professional experience working across settings including independent practice, residential treatment, and psychiatric hospitals.
What credentials and location are listed for this provider?
He holds the credential LMHC with licence FL LMHC MH12129 and practices in Florida.
Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and he accepts international clients.
Which session formats are offered for therapy?
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as available formats.
How is cost handled for sessions with this therapist?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with this therapist?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English