Continental Who's Who

John Erskine Ford, PhD

John Erskine Ford, PhD, is being recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Achiever in the field of Psychology as Owner and Psychologist of Nova Behavioral Healthcare and CEO and Clinical Director of NOVA Behavioral Healthcare Corporation.

With a mission to provide individuals and families with clinical services to aid in a positive life-change, Nova Behavioral Health utilizes holistic approaches for treating severe mental illnesses. To create a comprehensive care plan, the center considers each patient’s individual behavioral and physical health. Unique to this healthcare provider, Nova Behavioral Health aims to include the family, community, and every patient in their treatment plan to ensure life-changes are as natural as possible. The center offers outpatient/aftercare programs, residential programs, women’s treatment programs, integrated dual disorder treatment, and MorningStar, which treats individuals with serious mental health disorders.

Backed by forty-two years of professional excellence, Dr. Ford has served the last thirty-four years as the Owner of Nova Behavioral Health. He is dedicated to the exceptional care and treatment of the people who he serves. At Nova Behavioral Health, he oversees all aspects of function including the residential treatment facility for adults and the center for children ages 6-18. Additionally, he is responsible for all community based services through his healthcare facility and medication management. With a commitment to his patients that is unmatched by others in the field, Dr. Ford strives to provide access to care and strong clinical services that assist each individual in a chance to begin or continue in their journey to recovery.

Dr. Ford began his education at Washington & Jefferson College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1974. He went on to continue his education at West Virginia University, receiving a Master of Arts in 1975 and Doctorate of Philosophy from the same institution in 1977. Following his masters, he completed a psychology internship at Western Psychological Hospital. He is an esteemed member of the American Psychological Association.

A published writer, Dr. Ford has shared his breadth of expertise in a book chapter on organizational behavioral management and numerous studies in professional journals. On account of his knowledge and experience, he has presented over one hundred papers at professional conferences.

Dr. Ford is compassionate in all areas of life. He participates in charitable services, notably co-founding a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, Soup Moms of South Africa, with his daughter in 2013. For more information on the organization, please visit soupmomsofsouthafrica.org. In his spare time, Dr. Ford enjoys skiing, going to Litchfield Beach, and reading fiction and nonfiction mysteries.

In the future, Dr. Ford hopes to develop an integrated healthcare service and a residential program for children who have severe Autism. When asked what his philosophy is, he will reply, “Be resilient.”

Married to Mrs. Kimberly Ford for thirty years, Dr. Ford considers his wife his number one inspiration; she has a master’s degree in special education. He would like to dedicate this recognition to her and his mentors Ms. Rhonda Lofton, who is the operations coordinator at NOVA, and in loving memory of Robert Schaeffer, Ph.D. He would also like to recognize the professional achievements of his three children Ryan T. Ford, PhD, Cameron G. Ford, PhD, and Catherine A. Ford. Cameron is a doctoral-level clinical psychologist and Catherine is a licensed professional counselor.