Lisa Ford, LICSW, MD, LCSW-C

Lisa Ford is a licensed therapist with 15 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, career challenges, depression, and life transitions. She centers her work on the belief that each person is the expert on their own story and that existing strengths can be used to overcome current obstacles. Lisa emphasizes empowerment and support, guiding individuals as they take courageous steps toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Her background includes clinical social work and additional professional credentials - LICSW and LCSW-C indicate advanced clinical social work licenses, and MD denotes a medical degree. These credentials reflect extensive training and experience in mental health care. Lisa is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and she brings a compassionate, respectful approach to therapy that honors each client’s pace and priorities.

Clients can expect practical, collaborative work focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, and navigating relationship or workplace concerns. Whether addressing trauma, panic, or the challenges of midlife and caregiving, Lisa aims to empower people to build resilience and find clearer direction for meaningful change.

Therapeutic approaches and online care options

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client’s lead, helping people explore their feelings and values while building on their existing strengths - this approach is useful for issues like self-esteem, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented method that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, and it is often effective for treating anxiety, panic, depression, and stress-related problems.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lisa works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods align with their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adapting techniques over time as progress and priorities evolve. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy feels relevant and practical.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to access support from different locations. These options support continuity of care and allow clients and therapists to maintain momentum in therapy despite geographic or time constraints.