About the Founder

My story.

Donna Ford, MS, LMHC — a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in behavior modification and strength-based strategies, offering in-person and virtual therapy to patients of all ages.

Verified byPsychology Today
Donna Ford, MS, LMHC — Licensed Mental Health Counselor at 3 Bridges Counseling Service
Background

Experience across every season of life.

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, and is also certified in nonviolent crisis prevention and intervention.

Her 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, ensuring 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.

Credentials

Trained, certified, trusted.

Florida LMHC #MH24378
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Walden University · 2017
Positive Behavior Support Certification
University of South Florida
Specialties & Expertise

Areas of focus.

Donna works with children, teens, families, and adults — drawing on 9 years of clinical experience across hospitals, schools, and private practice.

Top Specialties
AnxietyBehavioral IssuesDepression
Additional Expertise
ADHDAlcohol UseAnger ManagementAsperger's SyndromeAutismBipolar DisorderBisexualBody ImageCancerCareer CounselingChildChronic IllnessCodependencyCoping SkillsDivorceEducation & Learning DisabilitiesEmotional DisturbanceGeriatric & SeniorsGriefImpulse Control DisordersLesbianLGBTQ+Mood DisordersObsessive-Compulsive (OCD)Oppositional Defiance (ODD)ParentingPeer RelationshipsRacial IdentityRelationship IssuesSchool IssuesSelf EsteemSelf-HarmingSexual AbuseStressSuicidal IdeationTeen ViolenceThinking DisordersTrauma & PTSD
The Approach

A person-centered toolbox.

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 draws from many therapeutic techniques — tailoring care to each individual's needs and circumstances.

01Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
02Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
03Client-Centered Therapy
04Motivational Interviewing
05Exposure Therapy
06Adlerian Therapy
07Emotion-Focused Therapy
08Grief Therapy
09Narrative Therapy
10Play Therapy
11Strengths-Based Therapy
12Positive Reinforcement
13Behavior Reduction Strategies
14Cognitive Restructuring
15Mindfulness
— Philosophy

Therapy is a collaboration.

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 as they resolve conflicts in interpersonal relationships, navigate struggles with employment or finances, cope with loss, deepen emotional intelligence, and make positive behavior changes.

9
Years in practice
Clinical experience
All
Ages welcomed
2
Service formats
In-person & virtual
FL
LMHC #MH24378
Licensed in Florida

without judgment

The Heart of It
"

A safe place where you can talk freely about anything holding you back from accomplishing your dreams.

One of Donna's greatest strengths is her ability to develop an organic, authentic rapport. She approaches every patient without judgment and with abundant compassion — helping them persevere through self-doubt, quiet negative self-talk, forgive themselves for past mistakes, and embrace their own strengths.

Her goal is to help each person find solutions to build a peaceful, productive, and purpose-driven life.