Prolonged Exposure Therapy in Grayson, GA

For you, therapy is a mirror which allows you to see the best in you as well. Clinically, through the utilization of various evidenced-based clinical modalities, your wholeness, happiness, and peace is attainable. Through therapeutic insight, self-approval, heightened perspective, and authoritative self-shifting, your desire to be the best you is truly possible. It is the aligning of effective therapy approaches, safe and secure emotional refuge, and strength based collaboration that I am certain that your best life experiences can be realized.

Therapy is a process that is best achieved by working with a therapist who is a good fit. I work together with my clients through the therapeutic process. I offer my clients an empathic, open, respectful, and non-judgmental environment in which they can feel safe and nurtured to grow. I believe that everyone has the ability to live a healthy and happy life, and working through the counseling process together, I can help you achieve your capabilities.

A journey starts with the first step. Seeking therapy can be a daunting task. Those who have been in counseling realize that it takes courage and determination to seek help and share your issues with a therapist. That is why choosing the right therapist for you is so important. In addition to proper training and experience, you should look for a therapist with whom you feel comfortable.

Therapy is a process that is unique to each individual who comes through my door. Each person has strengths and struggles. Each person who comes to therapy deserves to have a non judgmental open environment where they can express themselves. I believe in working with each person to explore and overcome any challenges. I have helped people with a variety of struggles such as trauma, addiction, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, grief and much more. I believe in working with each person through non judgmental honest collaboration.

I am not what you probably think of when you imagine a therapist. I will be dressed casually. I'm not going to jot a bunch of notes while we talk, or ask you to lay on the couch (but the couch is available for laying, if you want). I'm probably going to try to make you laugh. We're going to get some work done in session, but it's not going to be as formal or awkward as you might expect from how working with a shrink is usually portrayed in movies and TV.

Dr. Ford has years of experience working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, mental health concerns related to physical illness (e.g. diabetes, cancer), weight management, trauma, and insomnia. He also enjoys working with couples and families.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 24 years of rich experience providing hope and healing to individuals of all ages. I will meet you where you are and will strive to strengthen our relationship by providing the highest quality of care. I love listening to people's stories and offering encouragement and hope to the discouraged and hopeless. I am committed to helping you find the life you were meant to live by collaborating with you to determine the best treatment methods to meet your individual needs.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience. I specialize in the treatment of suicidal behavior/thoughts, depression, anxiety, self-injury, PTSD, social anxiety, and mood dysregulation. I provide Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in individual therapy and lead coping skills groups. In addition to offering DBT to children and adolescents, I am an experienced and trained play therapist. I am open to clients who have experienced hospitalization, difficulty finding a therapist who can help resolve challenging issues or whose problems have persisted over time.

I am a fully licensed, bilingual clinician working with a diverse population. Since 2010, I have worked with Adolescents and Children as well as with families, and groups. The populations were diverse anywhere from depression, multiple personalities, trauma victims, alcohol abuse, physical/emotional and sexual abuse, anxiety, anger management, self-mutilators, bipolar, bullying victims, OCD, conduct/Oppositional, some eating disorders, grief self-esteem to name a few.

A note to my clients who identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, LBGTQ+. I am Anti Racist and an ally. Working together I hear and respect your story, I know you are Personally impacted by systemic racism and discrimination. The minute you pick up that phone or send an email requesting an appointment there is courage realized. Sometimes our world shrinks when we are feeling sad or hurt and it takes courage to break through. It is my sincere belief that we are full of endless possibilities. I also know that reaching out for a guide to help become unstuck is the first step to freeing those possibilities.

My treatments focus on helping you adjust to any traumatic event that keeps you from functioning at your best each day. I use evidence-based treatments that are emotionally focused and client-centered. I am trained and experienced in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, talk therapy, virtual imagery, and restorative retelling. My treatments are reality-based, thought provoking, and empowering. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling positive, strong, hopeful, and relaxed.

I specialize working with high-achieving women plagued with the pressure to do more, do the right thing, people-please, and avoid being upset with those she loves the most. These women are leaders, compassionate, forgiving of others and admired by many. However she carries a secret, a revving internal engine that's says she has to keep going, don't stop, and set rigid rules that only apply to her. She's anxious about the future and fixated on the past. She finds it difficult to turn off her thinking. Painful histories, depression, anxiety and poor boundaries are normally the culprits with her strong, "I have it together" exterior.

I am an ABPP certified psychologist providing evidence-based psychotherapy to people ages 17+. Having practiced in Georgia since 2007 when I completed my postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Emory University, I've worked in private practice and hospital settings for 15+ years treating depression, anxiety (including OCD, panic, phobias, and chronic worry/GAD), PTSD and other trauma or grief related issues, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and issues related to meaning/purpose and existential distress. I work with individuals from late adolescence through older adulthood across the continua of gender, ethnicity, and faith.

My goal as a clinical psychologist is to promote and encourage emotional wellness. This starts with providing a safe place to explore issues and challenges that may be affecting your daily life. The majority of my career has been spent providing assessment and therapeutic intervention to law enforcement personnel, military veterans, and their family members in a variety of settings. I use the most relevant therapeutic approaches based on an individuals needs.

A mantra that resonates with me both personally and professionally is, “Do a brave thing every day.” I love working with clients who are motivated to self-discover and grow. I specialize in providing exposure therapy and other evidence-based treatments to individuals who struggle with problems related to OCD, trauma, anxiety, and fear-based difficulties. I also specialize in helping clients overcome tics, skin-picking, and trichotillomania. I use a flexible approach to individually tailor evidence-based tools and treatments to each client based on values, culture, and client needs.

Deciding to see a Doctoral level therapist is a hard decision to make and it can seem scary. Therefore, it's important for you to know that I am non-judgmental, provide a safe and confidential atmosphere, and am usually pretty good at helping people feel comfortable right away. I am honest and always provide professional and practical opinions in a caring and empathic manner within the scope of my practice. I work with adults of all ages, older adolescents, couples, and families, regardless of background. I also perform all sorts of psychological assessments if one is needed (i.e. diagnostic, court ordered, child custody, etc.).

Making the decision to enter therapy will probably be one of the most important decisions you make in your life; and choosing a provider will be equally as important. Make sure you choose someone who is compassionate, committed and knowledgeable regarding the issues that you will need help with. I am pleased and welcome your decision to choose me as your provider as we work together to make life changes.

I believe that all humans share a basic desire to be well and happy, and to avoid pain and suffering. Sometimes, we just don’t know how to do that. I also believe that connection is key for us as humans. Without it, we struggle to survive much less thrive. Having only one person in our lives we feel connected to and accepted by can open the doorway for healing. Whether you've experienced trauma, loss, or just a general sense of suffering or emptiness, I will use a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach to build that connection and create a space where you can work through the pain and toward a life worth living.

Are you a parent, adult, or teen who has faced anxiety, panic, depression, mood swings, obsessions, attention problems, or impulsivity? You or your loved one may have had urges to harm themselves or had difficulty making or keeping healthy relationships. I help clients live a Life they experience as Worth Living, learning coping skills to deal with life’s stressors and solve problems one moment at a time. Find peace of mind and live your best life!