PANAMA CITY — Local psychologist James Hord has more than four decades of experience but doesn’t intend on giving up what he loves anytime soon.
“Retirement is not something I would look forward to, because I enjoy what I do,” said Hord, who runs Psychological Services of West Florida in Panama City. “I just enjoy the day-to-day operations.”
Hord recently was honored with the Florida Psychological Association’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his 44 years of dedication to the profession. According to the FPA, the award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession for at least two decades.
Jacksonville psychologist Steven I. Bloomfield recognized Hord for his effort to reinstate Florida’s licensing laws for psychologists after the Legislature allowed the requirement to expire during a sunset review process several years ago.
“He fought hard during those years during which we lost licensure in order to try to re-establish a licensing board,” Bloomfield said. “Ultimately, he and his colleagues proved successful by getting support to pass new laws defining the licensing board in the practice of psychology.”
Hord also developed the first Listserv for Florida psychologists 17 years ago, and it remains the main avenue of communication between psychologists across the state.
“Back in those days, psychologists didn’t know what a Listserv was,” Hord said. “Back in those days it was really incredible when we had 30 on the list. At last count, I think it was over 800.”
Hord has maintained his private practice in Panama City for more than 40 years and also was a driving force in developing an outpatient clinic in JacksonCounty. He also has served as head of the Northwest Florida Drug Council.
Although Hord does not specialize in any specific type of psychology, he frequently works with children and has seen more than 2,500 child abuse cases over the years. He also provides couples counseling, aids in custody evaluations and often testifies in court.
“I enjoy it all,” Hord said.