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.

Counselor Qualifications

I am a Licensed Master of Social Work and am practicing as a Licensed Supervisee of Clinical Social Work under the supervision of Lacy Biddle, LCSW. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Purdue University and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Experience and Areas of Practice

I have experience working in outpatient mental health counseling with adolescents and adults. My clinical experience includes working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, grief, life transitions, relational conflict, and trauma. I work with children as young as five, adolescents, and adults.

Theoretical Orientation

My orientation to counseling is based on the belief that all individuals can develop healthier life skills, improve problem-solving and gain confidence through making positive changes in their lives. I work to help individuals acknowledge their strengths, and encourage, support and challenge people to make changes in thoughts and behaviors that are getting in the way of a better emotional health and well-being.. I use a strength-based approach and an integrative style of counseling from several APA (American Psychological Association) research based interventions including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),  Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment Theory, Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as  approach to treatment. I may also encourage you to read books and/or use workbooks based on what I believe will provide additional help outside the therapy session.

My Christian faith and my training as a counselor are strong influences on my approach to counseling. If desired, I can incorporate spiritual and scriptural integration. If you feel that your core beliefs may differ from mine and are concerned if this will affect the therapeutic process, please let me know and we can discuss this in your counseling.

Communication Policies:

You can email me Carly@lighthouse-counselingllc.com. If you need to cancel an appointment please call our front desk at (757) 439-9411 during regular business hours or you may send me an email if you need to cancel outside of business hours. Please know that emails are used for general purposes and not for emergencies. Please remember that email is not a guarantee to be secure (as noted in your consent form) and all communication through email must be saved to your electronic file. This becomes a part of your clinical file and subject to court-ordered records requests.

Professional Standards: I abide by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics.

As a client, you have the right to be an informed consumer and as such may choose the provider which best suits your needs. You may also request a referral to another counselor or ask for a change in the treatment approach. You have the right to seek a second opinion about your condition and treatment. It is important that counseling be a safe place for you.