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 Experience: I earned a BA in English (1994) from The Ohio State University and an MS in School Counseling (2017) from Liberty University. I am a Licensed Resident in Counseling (LRIC) approved by the Board of Virginia Professional Counselors (0704015550), a National Certified Counselor (NCC #1001014) by the National Board of Certified Counselors, and a Licensed School Counselor. I am also certified in EMI (Eye Movement Integration). I have worked for 5 years in the education setting counseling students with behavior concerns, social emotional deficits, friendship issues, grief, self-esteem and identity concerns, and self harm/suicidal ideation.

Counseling Orientation: I provide counseling for children, ages 5-17, and their families. My therapeutic approach incorporates several major theories of counseling, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT), Acceptance and Commitment Theory (ACT) and Adlerian Therapy. I work with diverse populations and embrace a multicultural approach to support a client’s worth and uniqueness within their social and cultural contexts. This includes focusing on building mutual respect, identifying faulty assumptions, behavior modification, gaining a deeper understanding of emotional struggles, focusing on personal strengths, and overcoming difficulties to improve one’s quality of life and move forward in a positive way. I am certified in mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR).

Communication Preferences: The best way to communicate with me about appointments is through email at the following email address, margo@lighthouse-counselingllc.com. Please note that I only check email during business hours, 9:00-5:00. Please remember that email is not guaranteed to be secure (as noted in your consent form) and all communication through email must be saved to your electronic file. This means that this becomes part of your clinical file and subject to court-ordered records requests. If you are in an emergency situation that requires immediate assistance, please contact the suicide hotline at 988 or Fire-Police-Rescue at 911. You can also text 741741 to reach the crisis/suicide hotline through text 24/7. Should you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment please make sure to contact me 24 hours in advance to avoid cancellation charges.

Supervision Information: I am currently under supervision at Lighthouse Counseling. My supervisor’s name is Beth Hunter, LPC. You can reach Beth by emailing her at beth@lighthouse-counselingllc.com.

Code of Ethics: 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. Please feel free to share any concerns and ask questions about any aspect of the counseling process including treatment approach, progress, and the termination (the end) of the counseling process.