LGBT therapists in Bloomfield Hills, MI

I look forward to working with adults who want to make positive changes in their lives. My professional background includes working for many years in a large hospital Emergency Department as well as in private psych clinic practice. With my medical and psych training as a Registered Nurse as well as Social Worker I am able to focus on the total person. Some specific treatment areas that I have experience in are trauma, gay/Lesbian/Bisexual, depression and First Responders crisis issues as well as grief/death situations.

I have been doing this work since 2009 — which means I have sat with a lot of people through a lot of different kinds of hard. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling with a dual focus in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy, and my career has moved through two distinct chapters that have shaped how I practice. The first half was spent in the world of substance use — working with individuals and families where the stakes were high and the complexity was real. The last several years have been in private practice, where I've worked with the full range of human struggle: depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, substance use disorders, parenting stress, and the disorienting moments when life shifts beneath your feet. I work with individuals, couples, and groups. Very few things surprise me at this point — and that's exactly what makes this work feel safe.

Hello, and welcome. My name is Jessica Banford, and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker / Clinical Social Worker with experience providing support in both emergency and outpatient mental health settings. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical tools for change. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University and my professional background includes working in hospital emergency departments, where I have completed behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination for individuals experiencing acute mental health concerns. This experience has strengthened my ability to remain calm, supportive, and solution-focused during difficult moments. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, and life stressors such as relationship difficulties, financial stress, and transitions. I also worked a outpatient community health center providing therapy to all populations including all ages. I also have experience supporting adolescents and young adults, as well as collaborating with families and support systems. My approach to therapy is client-centered and strengths-based. I often incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focusing on building coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and increasing overall resilience. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported. I look forward to working together to help you reach your goals and improve your overall well-being.