Welcome

Donna Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Behavior Technician specializing in behavior modification and strength-based strategies.  She offers both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to patients of all ages.  Donna earned her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University.  She completed her certification in Positive Behavior Support through the graduate program at the University of South Florida.  She is also certified in nonviolent crisis prevention and intervention.

Donna’s experience spans a variety of settings from hospitals to schools to private organizations.  She has counseled patients in the midst of acute mental health crises, individuals struggling with substance use, and adults with multiple diagnoses.  As the lead clinician for a geriatrics unit, Donna treated seniors with severe mental health issues.  In addition to providing exceptional care, she ensured her patients were always treated with dignity.  In other positions, Donna has counseled children and adolescents.  While working at a charter middle school, she led the school-wide implementation of a Positive Behavior Supports system, improving student behavior and creating an environment more conducive to learning.

The diversity of Donna’s patients reflects her desire to make a meaningful impact in the life of every person she meets.  To achieve that impact, she has many therapeutic techniques in her toolbox.  The range of her knowledge allows her to offer a person-centered approach tailored to an individual’s needs and circumstances.  She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Grief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Play Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Positive Reinforcement, Behavior Reduction Strategies, Cognitive Restructuring, and Mindfulness.

Donna believes the relationship between a patient and their therapist should be collaborative.  She involves her patients every step of the way when developing their treatment plan.  Offering guidance and support, she frequently helps them resolve conflicts in their interpersonal relationships, navigate struggles with employment or finances, cope with loss, deepen their emotional intelligence, and make positive behavior changes.

One of Donna’s greatest strengths is her ability to develop an organic, authentic rapport with others.  She approaches her patients without judgment and with an abundance of compassion.  She wants to provide a safe place where they can talk freely about anything holding them back from accomplishing their dreams.  She strives to help her patients persevere in the face of self-doubt, stop engaging in negative self-talk, forgive themselves for their mistakes, and embrace their own strengths.  Her goal is to help each person find solutions to build a peaceful, productive, and purpose-driven life.