Dr. Deb Hurford, LMFT (MT3998), MFA, MA, B.Ed.
Dr. Deb Hurford, MFA, MA, B.Ed., LMFT
SYSTEMIC PSYCHOTHERAPIST| EMDR THERAPIST | EXECUTIVE COACH
Dr. Deb Hurford is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Florida MT3998), a Clinical Fellow
and Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, an
EMDRIA approved EMDR Therapist, and the Past President of the Delta Kappa International
Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society, Omicron Chapter. She graduated Summa Cum
Laude and received the Dean’s Award with her PhD degree (Couple/Family Therapy) from Nova
Southeastern University (NSU). Deb also earned a MS degree (Couple/Family Therapy) and a
certificate in Solution Focus Coaching from NSU. In Canada, Deb received her MFA (Theatre
Directing), MA (Drama) and BEd (Drama/English) degrees from the University of Alberta, where
she was an adjunct drama professor. 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.
Deb utilizes evidence-based practices which are tailored to client needs and she typically
draws upon systemic and relational therapy models, as well as EMDR and expressive arts
approaches. She began her career by creating Alberta Solicitor General Award-winning crime
prevention dramas on impaired driving (Echo Mortal, 1987) and family violence (Under Broken
Wings, 1989) for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Alberta, Canada. Deb
established the first police-based victim services unit for the Alberta RCMP (1989), and
supervised 33 advocates while providing crisis intervention to victims of crime and tragedy. She
was seconded to the Alberta Solicitor General Staff College to help develop the provincial Victim
Services Coordinator Training Program in 1992, and the RCMP Victim Services Unit in
Whitehorse, Yukon in 1994.
Deb founded Azimuth Theatre and created a Canada Solicitor General Award-winning drama to
help perpetrators of domestic violence (Maelstrom, in 1990). Her Captive Theatre drama
psychoeducation program on family violence and substance abuse with incarcerated men
(1994-1997) was featured in The Arts in Psychotherapy (Cogan and Paulson, 1998). The
Correctional Service of Canada commissioned Deb to create an educational play and panel
forum on sexual violence in 1994. Her book, Running Through The Devil’s Club: A Theatrical
Exploration in Healing (Hurford, 2001) chronicles the impact of touring the play to prisons and
communities across western Canada.
Since 2000, Deb has worked on the Emmy Award-winning Adoption Stories television series
and utilized the expressive arts with burns, eating disorder and trauma patients at the University
of Alberta Hospital, as an Artist on the Ward. For nine years, Deb consulted with leading experts
to develop family violence and bullying prevention campaigns for the Government of Alberta.
She spearheaded the development of the Alberta Inspiration Awards in 2012, which promote
leadership in family and sexual violence, child abuse and bullying prevention.
Deb returned to her roots in crisis intervention in 2014 by relocating to Florida to pursue her
PhD in psychotherapy. Her aligned roles as an adjunct psychology instructor with Florida
Atlantic University (2024, Davie Campus), and Corporate Executive Coach with Bed, Bath &
Beyond (2016-2018, formerly Overstock.com), affirm how much Dr. Deb enjoys helping people
from all walks of life unlock creative solutions to achieve inner peace, strengthen relationships
and solve complex problems.
Counseling: Deb helps individuals, couples, families and teams harness their innate wisdom to
create positive outcomes. Working with clients in the arts, business, communication, finance,
medical and mental health fields, as well as innovators in emerging online and tech spaces, Deb
offers fresh insight and experienced perspectives. As a Systemic Psychotherapist, EMDR
Therapist, Corporate Executive Coach, Multi-disciplinary Artist and Educator, she brings
passion, heart and creativity to her sessions.
Executive Coaching: Deb has experience with startups, blockchain, crypto, financial tech,
international land registries, machine learning, online retail, and search engine optimization
spaces, as well as helping psychotherapists integrate the creative use of digital technologies in
their clinical practice.
Featured Publications and Presentations
Hurford, K. K. (August 2023). Clinical artistry: Creative use of digital technologies in systemic
psychotherapy practice [PhD Dissertation]. Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C.
Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Couple and Family Therapy.
Hurford, D. K. (July 2021). Wondering out loud: Creative reframes for anxiety in teletherapy.
InSession: The magazine dedicated to mental health providers, Florida Mental Health
Counselors Association, 8-9.
Hurford, D. K. (June 2021). Creative approaches in solution focused teletherapy: A COVID-19
Renaissance man. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 40(1), 21-35.
Hurford, D. K. (2017). Ericksonian storytelling and utilization transform anger into hopeful
possibilities [Poster presentation]. Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy,
Annual Spring Conference, Provo, Utah.
Cacace, C., Faria, D., Hurford, D. K., and Rambo, A. (2020). Stress reduction in a time of
pandemic [Online workshop for Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s Students]. Nova
Southeastern University, Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of
Family Therapy, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Service Honors
Awarded the prestigious EB-1 Visa for “extraordinary ability utilizing the expressive arts as a
teaching and healing tool,” 2022.
University of Alberta Teaching and Learning Award, 1997
Alberta Premier’s Award for Service to Alberta Families, 1993
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal for significant contributions to fellow
citizens, community and Canada, 1992
Learn more about Deb’s background by visiting her Psychology Today, EMDRIA
and LinkedIn profiles.