Dr. Deb Hurford, LMFT (MT3998), MFA
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 with her PhD (Couple and Family Therapy) degree from Nova Southeastern University, where she also earned a MS degree (Family Therapy) and a certificate in Solution Focus Coaching. Deb received her MFA (Theatre Directing), MA (Drama) and BEd (Drama/English) degrees from the University of Alberta in Canada, where she was an adjunct 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 inThe 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. 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 role as Corporate Executive Coach with Bed, Bath & Beyond (formerly Overstock.com), (2016-2018) affirmed 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 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 permanent residency under the prestigious EB-1 Visa program 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.