Studio portrait of Danny against a grey background. Danny is wearing a black long sleeve t-shirt and glasses. They have long dark hair and are white. They are in their forties. Looking at the camera with a gentle smile.

Meet Danny Ford

(they/them)

I am a queer, non binary, qualified Integrative Psychotherapist and certified Mindfulness Teacher.

This work is my vocation, because therapy and meditation saved my life and opened me to a life of deeper connection, love and authenticity.

I consciously dedicate my professional life to supporting others on their own journey to self-discovery and healing.

Specialties

My practice focuses on:

  • TRAUMA

  • SELF-WORTH & SELF-JUDGMENT

  • GENDER IDENTITY

  • NEURODIVERGENCE

  • ANXIETY

  • PATTERNS OF PEOPLE-PLEASING

  • ESTABLISHING HEALTHIER BOUNDARIES

I work with people of all genders and sexualities. I'm experienced in working with issues relating to gender, sexuality and relationship diversity (GSRD).

The Heart of My Practice

My therapy style grows from genuine compassion, natural curiosity, and heartfelt empathy. Rather than following a rigid formula, I shape my approach around your unique story and needs.

You set the direction for our work together. I trust that you know yourself best, so I follow your lead on what matters most to explore and at a pace that feels right for you. This creates room for real discovery rather than ticking boxes on a therapeutic checklist.

I create a space where you can feel truly safe to be yourself. Here, you can explore difficult thoughts, complex feelings, and important experiences without worrying about being judged or misunderstood.

People I've worked with often mention that they value the gentle warmth, open-minded listening, and compassionate presence they experience in our sessions.

Rebuilding Trust in Therapy

Many clients come to me after having had negative experiences in therapy previously, especially poly, trans, intersex and non-binary people.

I appreciate the courage it takes to re-engage with the therapeutic process after a bad experience. I'm committed to rebuilding trust and offering you a profoundly different experience - safe, affirming, and supportive.

Ethical Practice and Professional Accreditation

I am dedicated to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards as we navigate this journey together.

As a full clinical member of UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and an Accredited Professional registrant with NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society), I adhere to the highest ethical standards.

My commitment extends to ongoing professional development, in which I’m currently focusing on neurodivergence, open and poly relationships, and GSRD.

My values

Everyone deserves a therapist who provides affirming and safe support.

I firmly believe in the transformative power of a safe and open therapeutic space that nurtures personal growth and understanding.

I have participated in specialist professional development training in the areas of neurodivergence, gender, sexuality and relationship diversity therapy, and open and polyamorous relationships.

I am a proudly affirmative therapist, specialising in gender, sexual and relationship diversity.

Being a therapist isn’t just a job for me; it’s my vocation. It is an honour to witness and support the healing journey of each one of the people I work with. I appreciate each and every one of them for trusting me with their story. That trust is not something I take lightly.

Approach to Client Care

To ensure I offer you the highest quality of care, I manage my caseload to be sustainable and allow for personalised attention to each client.

My own well-being is also a priority, maintained through a sustainable work schedule, daily self-care and connection with nature in rural North Yorkshire where I live.

My therapy room

Close up detail of decorative pieces in my therapy room
My therapy room
My therapy room
Close up detail of the window in my therapy room
Close up detail of my bookshelf in my therapy room
My desk in my therapy room
Parking and terrace area outside my therapy room
Outside - my therapy room is on the top floor

My approach to therapy

My integrative approach weaves together Gestalt, Feminist and Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) therapy, creating a space that honours your unique experiences.

Gestalt therapy recognises that we naturally move toward growth and balance. It brings awareness to what's happening right now, helping you understand yourself more deeply and see how your past shapes your present thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Feminist therapy looks beyond individual struggles to see how society and culture affect our wellbeing. It challenges the idea that our problems are purely personal, recognising instead how power imbalances and social expectations impact everyone's mental health.

GSRD therapy is an emerging approach that explores how societal norms shape all our lives. If you're LGBTQIA+, you won't need to educate me about your identity or justify your experiences. For everyone, this approach helps uncover how messages about relationships, identity, and self-expression shape your life and choices.

While these theories inform my practice, what matters most is our relationship. The theories stay in the background while our connection remains front and centre, always serving your needs and goals.

If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out with questions or book a free consultation to see if we click.

Self portrait in my therapy room. Sitting in a chair, with bookshelf and artwork in the background. Wearing a dark jumper and light blue jeans. I have long hair, glasses and I'm white and in my mid-forties.

My Professional Training

  • I completed this professional four-year training with over 450 hours of supervised practice and 900 hours of coursework. The training provided a relational-developmental foundation, exploring how our early experiences shape our patterns of relating to others and ourselves.

    This approach views the therapeutic relationship as central to healing. Together, we can explore recurring patterns that may have helped you cope in the past but might now be holding you back. My practice has continued to evolve through ongoing learning, supervision, and the rich experiences I've gained working with people from all walks of life.

  • This comprehensive two-year course deepens my ability to work effectively with the full spectrum of gender, sexual and relationship experiences. I'm learning from leading experts in the field to ensure I can offer truly informed, inclusive therapy that honours your unique identity and circumstances.

  • I've completed the UK's first in-depth training for therapists working with open and polyamorous relationships, led by Niki D (Advanced Accredited GSRD therapist) and Alex Sanderson-Shortt (Relationship therapist). This training equips me to support the specific needs, dynamics and challenges that can arise in non-monogamous relationships.

  • A one year mentorship in relational facilitation with Deborah Eden Tull.

    The mentorship was an intimate programme working closely with Eden individually and in a small group with a focus on personal growth, leadership training, and nurturing my ability to hold transformative group space.

    The training is based on the premise that your willingness to see clearly, with the heart, beyond the limited perception lens of the conditioned mind, is the most important foundation of wise and compassionate leadership.

    The mentorship training integrated teachings from Zen Buddhism and Eco-Dharma, Relational Mindfulness, The Work That Reconnects, and Regenerative Leadership.

  • Mentoring happens one to one and involves supporting people in their practice over time.

    This 9 week online training built on my mindfulness teacher training and focused on developing one to one and small group facilitation as a mentor.

  • A six-month facilitation training and mentorship with Deborah Eden Tull (Author of Relational Mindfulness).

    The training helped me to deepen my embodiment of presence, courage, deep listening, and relational intelligence.

    The paradigm of leadership taught in the course is not “power over” but “power with” or "shared power". 

    I participated in the follow-up one-year training Seeing with the Heart (now run as a six-month course).

  • This year-long professional training enhanced my understanding of trauma, attachment and addiction. Compassionate Inquiry helps uncover the unconscious patterns that create suffering and offers a gentle path toward healing early wounds that may be affecting your current life.

    The training helped me deepen my understanding of trauma, attachment and addiction.

  • I was part of the very first cohort of the Mindfulness Training Institute's mindfulness teacher training which took place at Sharpham House in Devon and online. To this day, the training holds a very special place in my heart.

    I'm authorised to teach mindfulness through Martin Aylward (Author of Awake where you are) and Mark Coleman (Author of Awake in the wild) who are both renowned meditation teachers in the Buddhist Insight Meditation tradition.

    This is an exceptional teacher training. It's an intimate, experiential and personally transformative experience in which I got to work closely with Martin and Mark, and learn from their decades of teaching experience. I would highly recommend this training of you're interested in teaching mindfulness.