Abbey Lanford MS, LMHC

A woman with short red hair sitting on a mustard yellow couch, with her right arm resting on the back of the couch, wearing a reddish-brown blouse and black pants, and black high heels. There are decorative pillows behind her, one with the words "LET'S TALK" and a colorful chart, and a framed black-and-white photograph on the wall above her.

Founder and Owner
Individual & Couples Therapist

Abbey Lanford is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, psychology professor, and the founder and owner of Ataraxia Counseling LLC in St. Augustine, Florida. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family from Jacksonville University, and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Cumberlands.

Abbey specializes in trauma recovery, couples counseling, and women's mental health. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and the Gottman Method (Level 1), and draws from an integrative framework that includes Relational Life Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, trauma-informed care, and feminist theory. Her clinical approach is tailored to each individual; care that is built around who you are, not a predetermined model.

In addition to her clinical practice, Abbey has served as a professor of psychology at Flagler College, where she taught courses in introductory psychology, personality, the psychology of sleep, and senior seminar, and developed and taught the college's first Psychology of Trauma curriculum. She was honored with the Flagler College Women of the Year Award for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Abbey brings directness, warmth, and genuine investment to every therapeutic relationship. She believes that real change takes courage, acceptance, and compassion.

Accepting new clients ages for couples counseling only

Availability:

Tuesdays: 2:00 PM-6:00 PM

Wednesdays: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM

Thursdays: 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

abbey@ataraxia-counseling.com

(386) 287-1905

Request Appointment

Testimonials

  • "Abbey is a passionate therapist. She creates a supportive space for personal growth and healing. With an integrative approach tailored to each individual, she guides clients in deep self-exploration and empowers them to break free from limiting patterns."

    -S.G.

  • "Abbey walks with her clients through life's hardest moments, empowering them with unwavering presence. Collaborating with her, I've seen incredible transformations as clients move from feeling lost to finding clarity and purpose."

    -T.J.

  • "Wow! I am thoroughly impressed with Abbey's knowledge and wisdom as a counselor. Her education and heart for the work really shines through. I would highly recommend working with Abbey!"

    -A.H.