About Madelaine Ford
Hola and Welcome! Starting your healing journey can be very daunting, and I commend you for being here. I am a Licensed Associate Counselor and Founder of Optimal Connections Counseling, LLC. in Gilbert, AZ.
I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at the age of nineteen. I have lived in Florida, Oregon, and have now made Arizona home.
Having lived in different places and having to navigate a different culture has provided me with a deeper understanding of the challenges we face when we don’t have a sense of belonging. I like to bring that understanding into counseling, as I believe that identity, culture, and social justice impact how we experience the world.
Special Groups I Enjoy Working With
I am passionate about providing inclusive, culturally sensitive care to diverse communities
- People of Color and Migrants
- Neurodivergent Individuals
- Neurodivergent Couples
- Couples
- Solo/Single People
- Parents of Neurodivergent Children
- LGBTQ+
My Therapeutic Approaches
I am a Licensed Associate counselor and graduated from Bradley University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I have trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness Based Therapy. I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and an approved member of the Gottman Relationship Checkup. As a Licensed Associate Counselor, I am registered with the state of Arizona and I am under the supervision of Nicole O’Hare MS, LPC-S, CMHIMP. I implement a trauma-informed approach and and I am committed to providing culturally sensitive care to my clients in both English and Spanish.
In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and experiencing new cultures, going to music venues and concerts, hiking, and spending time with my family and my pups.
My Experience
As I was completing my graduate studies, I worked with children on the Autism spectrum and their parents and acquired extensive experience on how to offer supportive and informed guidance to navigate neurodiversity. This experience drove me to really focus my counseling practice in continuing to offer that support to parents of Neurodivergent children and Neurodivergent adults and couples.
My personal journey and professional dedication make me particularly skilled in addressing intergenerational trauma, helping clients break the cycle of pain and build healthier futures. I support my clients in cultivating healthier patterns of thoughts and behaviors through a trauma-informed approach and by implementing techniques that draw from Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Certified at Gottman Level 3, I love helping couples foster strong, resilient relationships with the addition of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), as it provides my clients with the best combination of tools. My trauma-informed, eclectic approach ensures that therapy is tailored to your unique needs, integrating various modalities to support holistic healing. Whether you’re seeking individual or couples counseling, I’m here to support you on your journey towards healing and growth.
