Welcome to Lighthouse Counseling. Therapy is based upon boundaries and trust. Please carefully review the following information since it is the foundation on which the counseling relationship is built.

I work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, men’s issues, PTSD, trauma from sexual abuse, self-harm behaviors, suicidal ideation, sexual addiction, anger management problems, weight problems, low self-esteem, OCD, divorce recovery, dual diagnosis, stress, relationship issues, and military lifestyle. If specific problems have had or are beginning to negatively affect home life, relationships, work, or school, you may be ready to embark on a journey of change. Change is how we grow, and there is always hope for change!

Education and Experience: My clinical experience includes working in an elementary school as a school guidance counselor K-5 grades (2004), with a Hampton Roads-based in-home counseling company, in Church based men’s recovery groups, at a group home for boys ages 9-17, and in private practice. In 2016, I started working in the Emergency Department at local hospitals providing emergency in-patient psychiatric consults, and I now work at Lighthouse Counseling and Psychotherapy in Virginia Beach, VA.

I completed my Bachelor of Science from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1999 and my Master of Arts in Counseling from Regent University, a CACREP-accredited program (www.cacrep.org), in 2002. I have been a National Certified Counselor by the NBCC since 2003 and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2013. Additionally, I completed Eye Movement Integration (EMI) certification and Dr. Janina Fisher’s Complex Trauma Certification Training Levels 1 & 2 (CCTP/CCTP-II) in 2022. 

Therapeutic Orientation and Certifications: Individual counseling is a personal opportunity to receive support and experience growth during challenging times. It is a collaborative effort based on trust and boundaries. Your support network is welcome to participate during sessions. I provide individual counseling using holistic, evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, often known as CBT, that emphasizes the interworking of your body, soul, emotions, and brain. CBT can help identify how you think about your presenting concerns (a cognitive process), emotions, and what you do in response to your presenting concerns (a behavioral approach). I will help you identify treatment goals and potential solutions for your presenting problems. I also incorporate aspects of Psychodynamics, CBT, DBT, EMDR, Trauma Focused, EMI, and prayer. My Biblical worldview influences my therapeutic approach, and I enjoy working with people with different beliefs and backgrounds. I respect the beliefs of all my clients but openly disclose that I counsel from within a Biblical worldview, and therefore the direction I give will oftentimes be influenced by my Christian beliefs and counseling theory. If you are unsure if this will be a good fit for you or if you have any other specific questions before we begin our work together, I’m happy to answer those and welcome all questions.

Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice: I adhere to The American Counseling Association’s code of ethics and standards of practice (www.counseling.org).