Donald Ford
Practical, experienced counselor for addiction and trauma
LMHC Florida
- Experience
- 13 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Donald
Donald Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 13 years of experience supporting people facing addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship struggles. He works with adults who are dealing with grief, eating and body-image concerns, stress, low self-esteem, and career or life transitions.
Background and approach
He uses clear, practical methods in sessions and focuses on what will help a person feel steadier day to day. Donald favors approaches that help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior while also attending to emotional needs.
He often combines Gottman Method ideas for relationship work with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness strategies when appropriate. Donald has treated people in a wide range of settings, from independent practice to residential treatment and psychiatric hospitals.
That experience informs how he plans care for people coming from intense or long-term difficulties. He aims to meet clients where they are and set achievable goals together.
In sessions he listens for patterns that keep people stuck, then offers simple skills and steps to try between meetings. He draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotion regulation and motivational interviewing techniques to address substance use and ambivalence about change.
People who want a straightforward, collaborative therapist may find his style useful. He encourages honest conversation about what is and is not working, and he adapts methods to match each person's needs and goals.
How therapeutic approaches are used online
Donald often blends Gottman Method ideas, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in online work. Gottman Method concepts are used to identify interaction patterns and improve communication in relationships by teaching practical skills. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and creating a respectful space so people can feel understood and think through their own solutions. CBT targets unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with concrete exercises and homework to reduce anxiety, depression, and problematic habits.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences and adjusts the plan as progress is made.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation and practicing skills. Phone sessions can fit a shorter break or use less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging are helpful for quick check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, or for people who prefer written communication. These options make scheduling more flexible and can help people maintain consistency while managing busy lives.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Licensed in
Florida
Languages
English