My Philosophy

Some of my thoughts about psychotherapy:

I am always amazed and inspired by people's ability to rise to the occasion, meeting the myriad challenges that life presents. Most of the time we do the right thing and often retain our sense of humor in the midst of difficulty. Sometimes, however, we are unable to do it alone, and so we courageously seek help, as you are doing today. Taking the appropriate steps, you will persevere. Psychotherapy does work; further suffering is optional.

Since we don't get an owner's manual titled How to Live a Richly Rewarding Life, we do the best we can, and for the most part we do a fine job. But there are areas of our lives where we may have developed poor emotional and behavioral habits. Perhaps at one time these habits served a useful purpose in our lives. However, now they lead to disenchantment and dissatisfaction.

Knowing that many of my clients will begin psychotherapy immersed in such uncomfortable feelings, my first objective is to provide relief by establishing a safe nurturing environment. I have a very relaxed easy going manner which my clients inform me is calming and non-threatening. I take the necessary steps to insure that my clients feel safe and appreciated. Instilling a sense of security and consolation is crucial to the therapeutic process and allows my clients to feel at ease. As a sense of well-being is restored, and one's sense-of-self is strengthened, we take a more active role toward solving the challenges at hand. To establish a feeling of personal control, I encourage my clients to take an active role in planning their course in therapy. After a few session I will formulate several treatment plans to address your specific needs. We will discuss these plans and then you choose the direction and intensity of your treatment.

Psychotherapy is both soothing and invigorating. My clients find the process enjoyable. In my own development I have found that self-discovery is a truly wondrous experience, full of humor, pathos and joy. I would be honored to attend your journey.

I have worked successfully with individuals and families. My experience encompasses work with a wide range of problems from the more severe, such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and major depression, to more common complaints that affect one's quality of life. These include relationship issues at home or the office, bereavement, guilt, self-esteem, depression and anxiety, and career planning, as well as issues of behavioral excess such as addictive behavior and anger management.

I enjoy working with families. While I have successfully worked with a variety of family issues, I have particular expertise working with families in which one member suffers from a major mental illness. Family members of these people enjoy great benefits from therapy, as they better learn to cope with the stress of a loved one with a major illness. Living with a loved one with a major illness can be sad, frustrating, exhausting, and heartbreaking. I find that the best success stories are those in which the entire family participates in therapy.

As a successful entrepreneur, I have had personal experience with the quest for success, and the good that this pursuit can bring. I offer Life Coaching sessions to help clients achieve their monetary, social, and spiritual goals. You can make a lot of money and have a balanced life that includes rich and satisfying relationships, a great wealth of friends and a rewarding sense of purpose, which is the truest treasure of all.

Coaching also works well with my clients who "graduate" from therapy and need tune-up sessions to maintain their focus, balance and inner peace.

When I take on a coaching client we meet face-to-face for the first several sessions to build rapport, at which time they take a battery of psychological tests. These test are the most efficient way for me to get to know you quickly. All future sessions are conducted over the phone.

Finally, I work with corporations presenting trainings and seminars on, Peak Performance, Time Mastery, Team Dimensions, and Discovering Diversity. My seminars can be tailored to your specific needs and utilize the DiSC assessment tools developed by Inscape Publishing.

Please call me to schedule an initial consultation (708) 271-2864. I look forward to meeting you. Peace.

Treatment Areas

Ford has experience treating the following areas: Addiction Issues, Antisocial Personality Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality, Depression, Emotional Growth and Development, Family Systems, Gay and Lesbian Issues, Diversity Training, Communications Trainning, Life Management Issues, Low Self-Esteem, Manic-Depressive Illness, Men's Issues, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Peak Performance, Performance Enhancement, Team Building, Personality Disorders, Procrastination, PTSD, Relationship Issues, Stress, Forgivness Related Issues, and Women's Issues.

Treatment Modalities

Ford provides 12-Step Programs, Harm-Reduction Counseling, Career Counseling, Experiential Learning, Client-Centered Psychotherapy, Coaching, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Existential Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Individual Psychotherapy, Marriage Counseling, Mediation, Parent Training, School Consultation, School Intervention, and Spiritual Counseling. He works with Children, Adolescents, Adults, Couples, and Families, School Sytems, Hospitals, and Corporations.