Hello! My name is Amber Ford and I am an Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Southern California. I have been licensed since 2010 and have over a decade of clinical experience focused on adults and older adults. My clinical expertise centers around coping with chronic or life-limiting illness (including cancer), grief and loss, and the challenges of caregiving. I also have extensive experience with traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship issues, and work stress. I am an experienced graduate level faculty member and enjoy assisting young professionals in their journey and working through career transition challenges.
I hold a Master of Social Work degree from Eastern Washington University and a Doctorate in Education from the USC Rossier School of Education in Los Angeles. I believe in the pursuit of lifelong learning and am currently pursuing a Certification in Financial Social Work as well as completing my Dare to Lead™ Facilitator certification.
I am a very approachable professional who believes therapy should be client-centered and focus on gaining insights which will improve quality of life. My primary clinical approaches include Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral which are both collaborative and exploratory. Whether you have participated in therapy in the past or not, it takes strength and courage to seek support during life's challenges and I look forward to working with you!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Depression, Coaching, ADHD, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Blended Family Issues, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Communication problems, Divorce and separation, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Life purpose, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
CA LCSW 75577