George Gifford

George Gifford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Massachusetts with six years of clinical experience. He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem concerns, and depression. George also lists life purpose among his focus areas and supports people dealing with related struggles such as panic, mood challenges, and difficulties after loss.

George trained at Cambridge College where he completed a master of arts in mental health counseling. He spent time working in a psychiatric hospital in a dual diagnosis role and then in community mental health as an outpatient clinician. He earned his LMHC license in December 2024 and draws on that mix of settings in his work.

His main approach is person centered, with additional use of cognitive behavioral tools, acceptance and commitment ideas, and rational emotive behavior techniques. Sessions tend to start with getting to know the person and the immediate issue. He aims to find practical steps clients can use between meetings to reduce distress and test new ways of coping.

George is a Marine Corps veteran and brings that background into work with veterans and others who want a direct, straightforward style. He has experience with substance use and trauma-related difficulties and with issues tied to adoption, attachment, and end-of-life concerns.

Sessions are conducted in English. He asks prospective clients to try a brief chat first to see if his style fits, and to use the practice's matching process before scheduling a first appointment.

How therapeutic approaches are used online

George commonly blends a person centered stance with cognitive behavioral tools. Person centered work focuses on listening closely to the person's concerns and reflecting what matters most in the moment. It helps when someone needs a steady, respectful listener and clear space to talk through decisions and feelings.

He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques that look at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. CBT-style exercises help break patterns like panic or low mood by testing different thoughts and small behavior changes. Acceptance and commitment ideas encourage noticing difficult feelings while clarifying values and moving toward meaningful actions.

Finding the best mix is collaborative. The therapist will work with the client to identify goals, try different techniques, and adjust the approach based on what helps most. That process is part of how treatment plans are shaped rather than a fixed promise up front.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm which formats are offered before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a workday, allow brief check-ins when time is limited, and remove travel time. Pick formats that suit practical needs like scheduling, shorter check-ins, or avoiding camera use, and confirm the available options during the matching and scheduling steps.