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.

Education and Licensure:

• Bachelor of Science, Old Dominion University, Human Services Counseling, 1995
• Masters in Social Work (MSW), Norfolk State University, 2008
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the state of Virginia, 2011

Experience: I’ve been working in private practice since 2009 and have had the privilege of walking alongside many people in their journeys. I completed my residency under the supervision of an LCSW at Eden Counseling Center in Norfolk, Virginia from 2009-2011. After becoming licensed, I continued serving at Eden Counseling Center as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from 2011–2020. I then spent two years at Liberating Lives Christian Counseling before joining Lighthouse Counseling in December 2021, where I’m honored to serve as one of four Clinical Directors.

Part of my role includes mentoring and supervising counseling interns and residents. Occasionally, I may ask if you would be comfortable allowing a trainee to observe a session. This is always completely your choice, and you have every right to decline.

If we’re meeting via telehealth and you’re not at home, I’m required to ask for your location and a description of your vehicle. This information is used only to help ensure your safety should an emergency arise.

Population Served: I work with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and complex trauma, grief and loss issues and difficult life transitions. I work with couples and families for marriage issues/conflicts, co-parenting issues and divorce recovery. I also am the director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups that meet at Lighthouse Counseling.

Professional Standards: I abide by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics and The American Association of Christian Counselors.

Therapeutic 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) therapeutic research-based interventions.

Training and Certifications: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional: Treatment of Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders, Levels I and II (CCTP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Eye Movement and Integration (EMI), Trust Based Relationships and Intervention (TBRI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Attachment Focused Trauma Therapy for Adults, Levels I and II (AFTT-A). I also utilize CBT, Psychodynamic, Family Systems, and Solution Focused. I respect the beliefs of all of my clients. At the same time, the direction I give will be influenced by my Christian beliefs. If you are unsure if this will be a fit for you, or if you have specific questions before we begin our work together, I’m happy to answer those. 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.

As a client, you have the right to be an informed consumer and as such may choose the provider who 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.