About
My background: I grew up in South Africa and moved to the US in my mid twenties. After graduation (GSU, Atlanta) and getting licensed in GA (LPC in 1999) I partnered with several churches in Atlanta, providing Christian counseling services. I then worked full time on a church staff (providing Pastoral Counseling) before going into private practice. I have been working as a therapist in private practice since 2010 focused on individual adult issues (depression, anxiety, relationship issues, etc).
Treatment Approach
With over twenty years experience in traditional cognitive behavioral counseling, I now incorporate a ‘trauma-informed’ approach to therapy. I use EMDR (Center for Excellence in EMDR, trained and supervised) and IFS (“IFS Informed,” IFS institute) and appreciate the work of Dan Allender (Story Engagement). These methods promote emotional and nervous system wellbeing. While available for traditional CBT (“talk therapy”) I may encourage that clients explore a deeper, “trauma-informed” approach to therapy.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Education & Credentials:
- Education: Georgia State University, MS in Counseling (1996).
Richmond Graduate School (diploma in Christian Counseling).
Training and supervision in providing EMDR therapy. - License #: LPC 3018 (GA), LPC 701013259 (VA), LCMHC 16577 (NC)
- License State: Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina
- Practicing Since: 1999
Reviews posted on Zocdoc:
Richard is very intuitive and intentional in his approach. His presence is very inviting and calming. He specifically helps you work through your trauma at a deep level. He’s well informed and constantly learning and refining his methods and thought process. I can’t recommend him enough! (by JB)
Richard Forde has been a wonderful counselor. My experience before him with counseling was that I recalled traumatic experiences and was left feeling vulnerable and raw. But working with Richard each session I feel as if I have gained something precious whether it be a new perspective, tool, or awareness. I leave my sessions feeling good and curious instead of depressed and down. His approach to trauma work was much different than I had previously experienced and I had to be more open, I quickly began to enjoy the work better. His approach style allows me to process things that presently come up instead of just recalling what I know to have been traumatic experiences. I have found many things that I didn’t realize I had been holding onto through our work. He is also the first male counselor I have worked with personally and I feel very comfortable working with him even revisiting birth trauma. (by BG)