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.

Professional Standards: I practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Virginia. My therapy approach assists clients with gaining self-awareness with the ability to self-reflect. I am committed to staying motivated in providing helpful tools and lifelong skills throughout my client’s therapy journey. I believe in treating each client with dignity and respect and feel a responsibility to counsel in a way that is consistent with Christian principles.

Education and Experience: I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019 from South University. While completing my graduate degree, my internship and residency covered aspects of private practice (individual, family, and group counseling) and experience interning at a local domestic violence shelter. During my internship, I created and led teen girl support groups and an employee support group for nursing and supervisors to alleviate work-life burnout and build healthy workplace relationships. Counseling is my second career. For the first 26 years, I worked with the senior population in several positions such as certified nursing assistant, therapeutic recreation director, and the last position as dementia unit director, which only strengthened my abilities in the psychological world. While working in retirement communities, I created and led grief and loss groups and supported families during their last moments with their loved ones.

Therapeutic Orientation: My therapeutic approach in counseling is integrative, which allows counselor/therapist to apply components of several major counseling and psychological theories within the field of psychology based on the client’s specific needs. Some of these approaches include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), BSF (Brief Solution Focused/Goal Setting), EMI (Eye Movement Integration), and elements of DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and Theophostic prayer. I specialize in counseling clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment disorders. In addition, I also assist with transitional problems, grief and loss, assertiveness issues, and single-parenthood struggles. I respect all my clients’ beliefs, and they are not required to participate in any modality, either clinical or spiritual, at any time.

 As your therapist, I use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th Edition) published by the American Psychological Association (2013) to assist in coding any diagnosis I may determine to be appropriate to your situation. This coding serves the purpose of providing a framework upon which I can view your situation and plan treatment. In the event a diagnosis is appropriate, I will inform you of the diagnosis I render.

Counselor and Client Responsibilities and Expectations: In my experience, counseling is a collaborative process. During the first few sessions, we will establish goals to formulate the best treatment plan to reach those goals. The method used to achieve client goals can change depending on client-centered needs. As the client, you could be asked to work both in and outside the sessions. This includes writing in a journal, writing letters, role-playing, performing tasks, or completing other assignments between or during sessions.

Throughout this collaboration, you should expect compassion and open honesty that provides clients with a safe place to share thoughts and feelings as clients work through presenting concerns or problems. Therapy requires commitment and trust; the hope is to work toward healing and growth consistently.

Code of Ethics: As stated before, I am a Licensed Resident in Counseling in the state of Virginia. I follow the ethical and professional standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. This code of ethics outlines my responsibilities to uphold a professional and appropriate relationship with clients. Outlined in this code are the values of the counseling profession and the purpose of the therapeutic relationship between counselors and clients. Following the ACA code of ethics will allow me to function at my highest potential and to do what is in your best interest as my client.