Lighthouse Counseling and Wellness Center was conceived in 2000 by Gretchen Morgan and Mary Pat McGeehin. At that time, they opened a small psychotherapy practice in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, that operated under the name, Lighthouse Counseling. The primary focus of the practice was psychotherapy, specializing in children and trauma. Their search for effective treatment led them to include their use of both Sand Play Therapy and EMDR. This evolution was in response to the expanding body of research which illustrated that the mind-body connection was integral to the healing of mental health issues. In 2004, they expanded their practice to include like-minded affiliate clinicians and moved to a larger facility in Eatontown, New Jersey.
In 2006, after hearing many fellow clinicians discuss a lack of Sand Play Therapy Training courses in New Jersey, Mary Pat and Gretchen designed the Lighthouse Sand Play Training program and became approved providers for Continuing Education for the Association for Play Therapy, The California Board of Social Sciences and the National Board of Certified Counselors. To date, they have trained over 1000 clinicians both nationally and internationally.
Both owners have been adjunct faculty of undergraduate or graduate level classes, have had advanced Sand Play Therapy training and are members of the Association for Play Therapy, Inc., the Sand Play Therapists of America and The East Coast Sand Play Association. In addition, all our partners are Level II EMDR practitioners and have had extensive training in trauma. Gretchen and Mary Pat are members of the National Association of Social Workers and are Certified Clinical Supervisors for the State of New Jersey.
Partners
All partners are licensed by the State of New Jersey.
Gretchen Morgan, MSW, LSW
[email Gretchen Morgan]
Gretchen Morgan, MSW, LCSW is a founding partner of Lighthouse Counseling and Wellness Center, Inc. In 1995, Gretchen graduated from Loyola College in Maryland with her BA in Psychology, followed by her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1997 from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1998, Gretchen received her Level I and II EMDR training, enabling her to better assist traumatized clients with their therapeutic process. In 1999, Gretchen was introduced to Sand Play Therapy, a Jungian-based treatment modality that was transformational to her both professionally and personally.
In addition to individual and family psychotherapy, Gretchen is a seasoned trainer, responsible for the creation and implementation of the Center’s Sand Play Training Series. Gretchen has also been an Adjunct Professor and Trainer at The Monmouth University Graduate School of Social Work.
Believing in the mind-body-spirit connection to achieve wellness, Gretchen carries her passionate beliefs about natural healing into her personal life, where she practices dance, acupuncture, and yoga. Gretchen is extremely interested in nutritional healing, having experienced the benefits of a Gluten-Free lifestyle since 2011. As an alternative to the “medicate now, ask questions later” mentality of many modern day mental health practitioners, Gretchen refers all clients for comprehensive medical evaluations and encourages holistic treatment options.
Mary Pat McGeehin, MSW, LCSW
[email Mary Pat McGeehin]
Mary Pat McGeehin, MSW, LCSW, is a founding partner of Lighthouse Counseling and Wellness Center. Prior to starting the center with Gretchen Morgan, Mary Pat was the Director of Family Services at St. Francis Community Center in Ocean County. Throughout her years of practice and study, Mary Pat has specialized in families, focusing on trauma. That pursuit has led her to three specific modalities of practice that she feels are most effective in dealing with the issued that lead to therapy: Sand Play Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Psychodynamic Therapy.
Mary Pat has taught as an adjunct in the graduate school at Rutgers University and as a trainer at Monmouth University. Because she has a strong belief in the integration of mind, body and spirit in the healing process, Mary Pat regularly uses acupuncture and massage, has a regular practice of qi gong and strongly supports her clients in using massage, yoga, tai chi, qi gong and other modalities of healing while they are in the therapeutic process.
Affiliates
Toni Zachos-Kaplan, MSW, LCSW
[email Toni Zachos-Kaplan]
An interest in people and helping others led to Toni’s career as a social worker, which began at Ithaca College. In pursuit of a deeper level of education, Toni received her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Toni has over ten years’ experience in social work profession.
A wide range of interests motivated Toni to work with different populations. This has been accomplished through a variety of community settings including mental health agencies, schools, and families’ homes. Toni works with children, adolescents, and adults, in individual, couples, family and group therapy sessions. Having worked closely with families referred by DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services), a strong focus of her practice has been child welfare, including child abuse/neglect, behavioral and parenting issues. Other areas of experience include substance abuse/dual diagnosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, as well as other mental health and familial issues.
For the past three years Toni has been running a successful private practice doing in-home therapy and assessments. Play therapy has been strongly integrated in her work with children and families. Constantly seeking to expand her knowledge of play therapy, she has been receiving training in Sand Play therapy under the guidance of Lighthouse Counseling and Wellness Center. Having made such a strong connection with the center and this amazing method of therapy, she has expanded her practice to see clients at the Lighthouse.
Karen Gesicki, MSW, LCSW
[email Karen Gesicki]
Karen was in the non-profit sector of Social Work for 12 years before coming to Lighthouse. She is trained in Sand Play Therapy, EMDR, Confidential Sexual Violence Advocacy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (with a strengths based perspective). Through the course of her work she has provided clinical services for individuals, families and groups (including: life skills, employment skills, anger management, parenting classes and parents in recovery).
Karen is skilled in treating children and adults with severe trauma histories, including adults who were abused as children. Karen is committed to supporting and empowering her clients to reach their full potential. When not working, Karen enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, children and two dogs.
Lori Tomaro, MSW, LCSW
[email Lori Tomaro]
Lori began her work at St. Francis Community Center as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has experience working with individuals of all ages, couples and families. Lori’s clinical focus includes survivors of sexual abuse, trauma, and those struggling with anger, depression, anxiety, family and parenting challenges. She is committed to strengthening the therapeutic relationship in order to support her clients in their journey to heal. Lori uses an eclectic and strengths based approach, which includes Sand Play Therapy and EMDR.
Outside of work, Lori enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.
Billing
Jennifer Morris
[email Jennifer Morris]
Jennifer received her Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Loyola College in Maryland. Following graduation, Jennifer worked as an Advertising Executive in Maryland and New York City. After seven years in the field, Jennifer left the corporate world to raise her two sons, but luckily, Jennifer soon wanted to have part-time work, so she accepted a position as Billing Manager for Gretchen and Mary Pat in March of 2002.