Alecia Ford

Alecia Ford is a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMP) in Texas with four years of experience, specializing in Anxiety Disorders and Trauma.

My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative, focusing on evidence-based, pragmatic strategies. My expertise stems from training at the Baylor College of Medicine’s Anxiety Clinic and education from Prairie View A&M University. I work with adults, adolescents, and women. My commitment to this field is strengthened by personal experience supporting a family member with mental illness.

My approach is integrative, drawing from evidence-based "third wave" therapies to foster practical change and profound acceptance.

• Core Methodologies:
  • CBT: For direct work on changing distressing thought and behavior patterns.
  • DBT: Teaching concrete skills in Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness to navigate intense emotional experiences.
  • ACT: Helping clients achieve Psychological Flexibility by promoting acceptance of difficult internal experiences and committing to actions aligned with their personal values.
• Guiding Philosophy: My practice is fundamentally Trauma-Informed, meaning safety, trustworthiness, and client empowerment are prioritized in every session, shifting the focus from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?

The first session is primarily focused on understanding you and building a collaborative foundation for our work together.

Key Goals:

1. Comprehensive Intake: We'll review your background, current challenges, and relevant history to gain a holistic picture of your needs.
2. Goal Setting: We'll collaboratively establish clear, measurable, and meaningful goals for therapy, utilizing the principles of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to identify what a successful future looks like.
3. Psychoeducation & Approach: You can expect a brief introduction to how we will work, including relevant Psychoeducation to help you understand your mental health from a therapeutic perspective.
4. Creating Safety: The session prioritizes creating a Person-Centered space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to engage in the process of meaningful change.

The aim is to leave the first session with a sense of clarity, hope, and a shared direction for our future sessions.