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MF Portrait of Melisa Ford

Melisa Ford

Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions

LPC Alabama

Experience
12 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Anger
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Melisa

About Melisa

Melisa Ford is an LPC with 12 years of clinical experience who assists people facing stress, anxiety, mood disorders, addictions, trauma, relationship struggles, grief, and challenges related to self-esteem and life transitions.

Background and approach

She addresses a broad set of concerns including ADHD, anger, bipolar mood disorders, parenting questions, intimacy-related issues, and family problems, as well as focused topics such as abandonment, attachment issues, codependency, and multicultural concerns. Her style weaves practical, evidence-informed tools with a warm, client-centered stance.

Melisa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside dialectical skills and solution-focused strategies to help clients recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, build coping skills, and set achievable goals. She emphasizes culturally aware care and supports clients who are navigating identity, isolation, or interpersonal disruption.

Practically oriented and collaborative, her work aims to strengthen communication, reduce distress, and promote purposeful change. Melisa pairs skill development with empathic attention so individuals can process difficult experiences, manage impulsivity or addiction-related challenges, and move toward more satisfying daily functioning in ways that fit their life and values.

Integrating evidence-based approaches with flexible online care

Melisa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; this approach is practical and often focuses on skill-building to manage anxiety, depression, and mood symptoms. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, offering empathic listening and collaborative exploration so clients feel heard and can pursue goals at their own pace. When appropriate, elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy are introduced to teach distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills useful for intense emotions or impulsivity.

Deciding which approach fits best is a collaborative process. Melisa works with each person to understand needs, preferences, and objectives, and she adjusts methods as progress and circumstances evolve. The aim is to match practical strategies with an affirming therapeutic relationship so clients can make sustainable changes.

Online therapy with Melisa can include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent support from a licensed professional without rearranging life around in-person visits, and they allow work on skills and coping strategies in the moment they matter most.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns can I bring to therapy?
Melisa works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and family problems, grief, ADHD, and other mood or behavioral issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach blends client-centered empathy with practical, evidence-informed techniques such as CBT and DBT skills, and a solution-focused orientation to help clients identify goals and build coping strategies.
What is her professional background?
She brings 12 years of experience supporting people through complex emotional and interpersonal challenges and focuses on culturally aware, collaborative care.
Where is she licensed and located?
Melisa is an LPC practicing in Alabama and holds licenses AL LPC LPC04118 and GA LPC LPC011579.
Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
She offers multiple online and remote formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are arranged through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementBipolar disorderDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCodependencyCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Drug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Solution-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Licensed

Georgia, Alabama

Languages

English