Specialized in psychotherapy that is both insight-oriented and goal-directed.

Vanessa E. Ford obtained her Masters of Social Work with a concentration in children and families from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work in 2000.

Loyola’s accredited MSW program is well-known in the field for meeting the highest standards of clinical training. Obtaining a Master’s from this program requires several internship experiences in the field providing direct service under the training of licensed professionals.

Working with child and teen clients has always benefitted Ms. Ford’s work with adult clients. Each one of us starts out life as an innocent child. Difficult or painful experiences during the formative years often lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, immature communication skills, and dysfunctional relationship habits as adults. We so often mimic what we see and experience growing up.

Ms. Ford has also obtained an additional addictions specialty. She holds an active certification in alcohol and other drug abuse counseling (CADC) in the State of Illinois, certification number 22776.

In order to qualify for her CADC board certificate, Ms. Ford completed an Addictions Studies certification program. She also completed additional fieldwork in an intensive outpatient chemical dependency program as a part of her addictions credential.  Obtaining a CADC requires passing the State boards offered by the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. (formerly the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc. known as IAODAPCA).

Ms. Ford has completed several advanced fellowship programs through the University of Chicago SSA. The Contextual Behavioral Therapy Fellowship program teaches advanced DBT methods. Completion of this program in 2016-2017 allowed Ms. Ford to expand upon traditional Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, into more advanced methods of intervention.

The Advanced Psychodynamic Clinical Practice Fellowship Program, completed in 2011-2012, deepened Ms. Ford’s insight-oriented therapy practice.

Vanessa E. Ford successfully completed her commitment through the National Health Services Corp in 2007. Participation in the NHSC required dedicating her practice to serving underserved communities throughout Chicagoland.

Ms. Ford has been fully trained in Eye Movement and Reprocessing / Desensitization therapy, known as EMDR.  This unique and innovative form of treatment targets traumas that may become “locked” in the brain in an unhealthy way when a person is under unusual stress. Trauma experienced can be very damaging to self-esteem, and leads to negative self-talk.

EMDR seeks to “unlock” these traumatic memories and allows clients undergoing this form of treatment to move towards healthy resolution and closure. Ms. Ford has been practicing and perfecting her use of these techniques since 2006.

Ms. Ford became certified in DV (domestic violence) counseling in 2005. Becoming certified in domestic violence counseling advanced Ms. Ford’s understanding of dysfunctional relationship patterns and cycles of violence. These tools can be applied to help understand many relationship dynamics and abuse experiences, not just those in DV situations. 

Lastly, Vanessa has her own lived experience with mental health, allowing her to bring compassion and empathy her practice. Many of us feel a loss of control when in the grips of a mental health episode, and Vanessa offers strength, hope and recovery to her clients.

Experience

Prior to starting her private practice, Ms. Ford worked in not-for-profit environments that serve the mental health needs of the community.

Vanessa E. Ford’s dedication to helping clients heal has included managing the substance abuse department at the Midwest’s largest LGBT organization. While working as a staff psychotherapist there, she designed and implemented an intensive outpatient program. She also piloted a program specifically targeting crystal meth addiction in men who have sex with men for the city of Chicago.

Ms. Ford’s background also includes working with clients who are infected/impacted by HIV.

Ms. Ford has extensive experience working with clients who suffer from chemical and behavioral addictions in multiple settings and levels of care.

Vanessa has worked directly providing therapy to child and adolescent Wards of the State, as well as other vulnerable children and families.

For more detailed information and bio, please visit Ms. Ford’s Facebook page.

You can also read Ms. Ford’s blog of articles on a host of mental health topics here.

Ms. Ford is a Chicago-born native, having grown up in the city proper. She has committed her career to helping the mental health needs of the residents of our strong and beautiful city.

Vanessa has also healed from her own lived experience with a severe mental health episode. Seeing a provider that has gone through their own healing journey can offer additional hope to your own recovery path. Change is possible.