about Deb Hannaford
Hi, I’m Deb!
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with clinical expertise and success in joining with clients in identifying the “road blocks” that prevent them from moving forward successfully in life and love. With insight and collaboration, a way is made forward and clients to begin experiencing the changes they want and need.
Why choose me?
Firstly, I draw primarily from a “best practice” theoretical model called Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT provides a proven “road map” to help understand why we get stuck in self-defeating, destructive patterns and how to get “un-stuck”. EFT uses the evidenced-based theory of attachment as the basis for understanding and creating healthy relationships. It is the only model of couple and family intervention that uses a systematic and empirically validated theory of adult bonding as the basis for understanding and alleviating relationship problems. With over 30 years of research headed up by the award winning founder of EFT, Susan Johnson, PhD, EFT meets the "Gold Standard" set forth by the American Psychological Association for couples' therapy.
Secondly, there are some things that can't be taught. A felt sense of safety emerges from "tuning-in" to clients, showing accurate empathy, acceptance, and mirroring. Being "held" in this way, opens the door for exploration and gentle challenges towards change.
Thirdly, scientific research tells us that human beings are wired for safe, responsive, emotional accessibility, engagement and connection. When we don’t have that we are robbed of the most vital "nutrient" needed for social, emotional, mental, and physical survival. Intuitively and systematically, I infuse this "nutrient" into my work with clients- struggling wth relationship distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and loss. Together we make sense of what gets in the way of moving forward and why, introduce new skills, provide different experiences and discover exciting new ways of being. The process of understanding oneself and significant others, makes way for clients to shape a new story for their lives!
my story
"A Seed"
As I look back, the “seed” was always there. I have always been drawn to people unlike me and with persistent curiosity, loved asking questions about people's life stories. People seemed to enjoy sharing and often confided in me. After school, I gravitated to people-helping professions, became active in non-profit organizations working cross-culturally, and this led to pastoral ministry in Australia. I was honored to partner in stories of triumph and success - and perhaps even more often, in stories of unresolved loss and pain. I became restless, disillusioned, and had an insatiable thirst for answers. “Why do so many relationships fail? Why do we habitually hurt those we claim to love the most? Can wounded people ever feel safe in relationships or learn to trust again?”
A Surprising Adventure
An inner struggle and felt sense of inefficacy motivated me to explore and to knock on doors. This quest led to an open door, an overseas move and an exciting adventure to live and study in the US! After completing a masters degree in intercultural studies I was contracted by an internatinal company, coaching and training corporate executives and their families in preparation for international relocation.
A Simple Question
Have you ever had a sobering moment when something in your gut seizes hold and refuses to let you go until you can give an honest answer? I was still hungry for answers and turned to psychology and began another masters degree in family studies preparing to teach and coach families to wellness. Mid-way through this program, a psychology professor whom I trusted, asked me a simple question. “Deb, why didn't you chose the clinical psychology track”? Her simple question was my sobering moment.
My Search
That unexpected “touchpoint” moment demanded vulnerable honesty. It woke me up to a central question that was a "road block" for me. “How do you put a price tag on a relationship?” Suddenly I realized that in searching for answers for others, I had missed my own deep question, one that held me back. Cultural values and self-limiting thinking had blocked me from the very door I needed to walk through to find answers to many burning questions.
I summoned courage, took a leap of faith, and walked through that open door into the clinical program in the School of Psychology at Fuller. This journey has allowed me to integrate unique gifts and life experience with clinical expertise. Every day this work tells me, "this is what you were born to do"!
A Space to "Re-story"
More often than not, valuable things do come with a price tag. Ultimately we all invest our limited resources in what is most important to us. We prioritize what we need and want, and hope for a good return! My life has been and continues to be, invested in the process of co-creating sacred, safe space with people who are invested in their change process, with people who want to rewrite the story of their lives and their relationships!
What a profoundly humbling journey. I have my answers. Relationships can last. Wounded people can heal, can feel safe and can learn to trust again. I'd love to share how, with you!
give me a call so we can schedule A phone consultation now: 0435-994-325 Valla, NSW, AuSTRALIA,
graduate EDUCATION
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller's School of Psychology, Pasadena, CA, USA
Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, USA
Qualifications, CERTIFICATIONS and training
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist: California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Families
Trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Certified Triple P Provider (A leading world-wide, Positive Parenting Program)
Certified in Seeking Safety: A Brief Therapy Model for Crisis Intervention
Certified Family Wellness Instructor, Family Wellness Associates, Scotts Valley, CA
Certified in Managing and Adapting Practices
Memberships
Member of the Australian Counselling Association (Level 3)
California Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, CAMFT
International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, ICEEFT
Los Angeles Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, LACEFT
Verified by Psychology Today