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.

My name is Matt and I am a Licensed Resident in Counseling (LRIC) at Lighthouse.  Resident means that I’ve finished my coursework, graduated with a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am currently working under supervision while I meet the mandatory hours necessary to become a fully licensed counselor.

Education and Background:

• Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (2022)
• I have worked at Lighthouse as an Intern and Practicum student since March of 2022
• Prior service as Police Officer
• Prior Service as a Marine
• Certified in EMI (Eye Movement Integration).

Therapeutic Approach to Counseling: I believe that the stories we tell ourselves have power over how we experience and remember our lives, and so my approach to therapy includes a strong vein of Narrative Therapy.  In short this means that every person I work with is the main character of their own story and I am there to help them figure out what the character is good at and what they might need to change to fully actualize their vision for what their story should be. In my therapeutic approach I follow the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) Code of Ethics. While counseling  as as LRIC, I am practicing under the license of Jessica Salinas Rodriguez, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Supervisor Information: Jessica Salinas Rodriguez, LPC can be reached at the following email address: Jessica@lighthouse-counselingllc.com

Specializations:

Military & First Responders

• My time spent in both of these worlds allows me a certain amount of insight and familiarity that is beneficial for those from these fields who are looking for a counselor.  

Kids and Teens

• While working as a police officer I frequently encountered kids and teens whose problems stemmed from something deeper than the issues that brought me to them.  A part of making my switch to counseling was a drive to be a part of a change that included more available mental health resources for this population.  So, I set about learning as much as I could about how to work with kids and teens.  In doing so I found that underage clients have their own culture, customs, expectations, and beliefs about the world.  In working to understand those aspects of life for my underage clients I have been able to help them make meaningful changes based not on external expectations of them, but their own drives and motivations.
• A note for parents and caregivers.  When I work with kids and teens they are my primary client, but that does not mean that therapy is just for them. For juvenile clients they exist in a world that is primarily constructed and managed by those responsible for their care.  This means that for real change to occur you will have to be a part of the therapeutic process to some degree.  I will strive to communicate with you as openly and clearly as possible in service of meeting both you and your child’s expectations for therapy. I ask that you be willing to attend sessions when appropriate and be available for communication about your child’s therapy journey.