Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Southfield, MI

My career began in 1997 as an AmeriCorps member working in harm reduction during the peak of new HIV infections. Since then, I've held many roles as a proud social worker. I have been a therapist for 18 years, with extensive training & experience in harm reduction therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. I have lived experience with mental health challenges and treatment

I have worked and lived in:

• Charlotte, NC
• San Francisco
• Michigan
• Oahu, Hawaii

Hello, and welcome. My name is Jessica Banford, and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker / Clinical Social Worker with experience providing support in both emergency and outpatient mental health settings. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical tools for change. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University and my professional background includes working in hospital emergency departments, where I have completed behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination for individuals experiencing acute mental health concerns. This experience has strengthened my ability to remain calm, supportive, and solution-focused during difficult moments. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, and life stressors such as relationship difficulties, financial stress, and transitions. I also worked a outpatient community health center providing therapy to all populations including all ages. I also have experience supporting adolescents and young adults, as well as collaborating with families and support systems. My approach to therapy is client-centered and strengths-based. I often incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focusing on building coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and increasing overall resilience. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported. I look forward to working together to help you reach your goals and improve your overall well-being.

I have worked with adolescents and adults for the past 35 years in various capacities. I believe it is my job as your therapist to walk with you on your healing journey. I believe in creating a safe place for clients to feel comfortable sharing their personal stories. I strive to honor my client's wisdom of self and their experience while also building a relationship of trust and understanding between therapist and client.

Some of my background...

After raising a blended family, I decided to go back to school and change careers. Therapy lets me combine two of my lifelong passions: helping others succeed and horses. I now divide my time fairly evenly between working with horses and providing therapy.

I graduated from Oakland University in 2021 with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I worked with a non-profit group for a year before starting my practice in 2022.

I believe therapy is most effective when you feel genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a warm, supportive space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace while building insight, resilience, and meaningful change.

I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University and am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I provide telehealth therapy for adults throughout Michigan, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Good for you! You’re here because you’re having difficulty in a relationship; or struggling with depression or anxiety and have decided you’re tired of feeling stressed and want to be better able to cope. You deserve to live your life to the fullest and not allow new - or longstanding issues to keep you from reaching your full potential. I focus on building a trusting relationship which will allow you to explore the changes you want to make to improve the quality of your life. I have successfully helped many clients reach their full potential by engaging in therapy treating YOU as a person, and not a disorder.

I have served OH and MI areas for over 2 decades. Once specializing in children, now I enjoy working with preteens, teens, and adults who can participate more actively in their treatment. I started specializing in trauma in 2016 after I completed extensive training.