Deborah (Deb) K. Hurford, PhD(c), MS, MFA, MA, BEd, LMFT
(She/Her)
Preferred Name: Deborah (Deb)
About Me
Deb takes a hopeful stance and is passionate about helping people Disrupt Dis-ease by tapping into their creativity, humanity and humor to achieve inner peace, strengthen relationships and solve problems. She utilizes evidence-based practices which are tailored to client needs, and typically draws upon systemic and relational therapeutic models, as well as EMDR and expressive arts approaches, to help clients define challenges, identify strengths, amplify exceptions to problems, as well as recognize and celebrate success. Counseling: Deb has worked with individuals, couples, families, children, and youth at-risk, as well as hospital patients, incarcerated youth and adults, and victims of crime and tragedy who are navigating complex issues and crises. Her specialized training includes Critical Illness, Grief and Loss, Family and Sexual Violence, Bullying, HIV/AIDS, Human Trafficking, Internet Infidelity, LGBTQ issues, Leadership Development, Narcissism, Relational Suicide Assessment, Substance Abuse/Addictions, Women’s Issues, and Online Therapy. Deb’s book on sexual violence, Running Through The Devil’s Club: A Theatrical Exploration in Healing, was published in 2001 and her work with the expressive arts as a teaching and healing tool has been cited in articles, books and dissertations in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Executive Coaching: Deb has worked with senior professionals in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, financial technology, international land registries, machine learning, online retail, and search engine optimization spaces. She has extensive experience helping clients develop creativity, mindfulness, and corporate leadership skills, while managing anxiety and stress, anger and conflict, organizational development, and staff retention. Deb’s previous clients have ranged from Chief Executive Officers to Team Leads, and she has provided single session coaching, weekly sessions, and 24/7 on call services, as well as accompanying clients on important business trips. Deb brings a systemic perspective to the business context, helping professionals navigate the big picture by attending to small details with a sense of innovative disruption, integrity, ethics, and humor.
Education & Experience
Deb is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Florida (MT 3998), an EMDRIA approved EMDR Therapist, and a Clinical Fellow and AAMFT Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). She earned her MS degree in Family Therapy, as well as her certificate in Solution Focus Coaching, from Nova Southeastern University, where she is currently a Doctoral Candidate completing her PhD dissertation on the expressive arts as a healing tool. Deb received her MFA (Theatre Directing), MA (Drama) and BEd (Drama/English) degrees from the University of Alberta in Canada, and she is a multi-disciplinary artist and published author.
Professional & Volunteer Affiliations
American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy, American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, Canadian Authors Association, Delta Kappa International MFT Honor Society, EMDR International Association, Writers' Union of Canada
Specialty Area
- Abuse/Neglect
- ADD/ADHD/Disruptive Behavior Disorders
- Alcohol/Substance Abuse
- Anger Management
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Domestic Violence
- Family Issues
- Grief/Loss/Mourning
- Marriage/Relationship Issues
- Moral Injury
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Performance Enhancement
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Race, Culture, Ethnicity Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Sleep Disorders
- Somatic Issues
- Spirituality
- Stress Management
- Survivor's Guilt
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adolescents (13-17)
- Adults
- Couples
- Families
- First Responders
- Group
- LGBTQ+
- Seniors
- Veterans/Military
Language
- English
Insurance
- Cigna
- Humana