Often, when people have a history of trauma, the coping skills that function to help them survive Some of the common defenses that hinder the process of healing in adults are intellectualization, rationalization, projection, and even dissociation. With children, trauma or stress may present as impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor social skills and poor school performance.

Sand Play therapy allows the person to tap into the psyche. Through the use of symbolic figures, a person is able to create in the sand tray stories which examine their wounds, the effects from those wounds, and the possibilities for resolution. The practitioner is then able to help a person to connect insights to feelings and begin the journey toward healing. Through Sand Play, the adult client is able to build the skills necessary to avoid the problematic patterns of the past. Children’s thoughts and feelings are given a voice through symbolic play, enabling them to resolve their issues in a language they understand.

“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols that are designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies. EMDR is an information processing therapy and uses an eight phase approach ….After EMDR processing, clients generally report that the emotional distress related to the memory has been eliminated, or greatly decreased and that they have gained important cognitive insights.

Importantly, these emotional and cognitive changes usually result in spontaneous behavioral and personal change, which are further enhanced with standard EMDR procedures.”

—Francine Shapiro

Many issues such as grief, parenting, illness, divorce, and death may make one feel alone. Facilitated group therapy can help focus on goals and effective behaviors that can alter the overwhelming stress of dealing with major life events.

Every couple can experience challenges in their relationship. Differences in parenting philosophies, interference from extended family, illness, grief, addictions, economic hardship, difficulties with intimacy and adultery can all negatively impact a relationship. Psychotherapy can provide a safe container to process wounds and establish new communication patterns that facilitate trust. Partners can learn to appreciate and respect one another again, opening the door for a renewed sense of passion and commitment.

The development of the addictive personality is not an overnight event. Often times, an addicted person will have a history of trauma and grief. It is critical to have a comprehensive treatment plan with a therapist who specializes in addictions work in order to make a full recovery. We treat addictions to illegal drugs, alcohol and prescription medications as well as sexual addictions.

Perhaps you have a son who becomes anxious and refuses to participate in team sports. You may have a daughter who has difficulty making or keeping friends and plays alone at recess. Perhaps the school has contacted you to report that your child is bullying other children on the bus, and is in danger of being expelled. Social skills training can help children learn appropriate behaviors for a variety of situations. With supportive guidance, children can feel more confident when interacting with their peers and begin to make better choices in their daily lives.

Autism rates in New Jersey are now the highest in America, impacting almost 3% of the population. Treatment of Autism Spectrum Diagnoses requires an understanding of not only the symptomology, but the culture of Autism. In addition to families who are desperate to understand the cause of Autism in their children as well as strategies to enhance quality of life, there are also those who believe that Autism is a unique way of being and not a disease to be cured. Lighthouse staff are committed to understanding the whole person, and making collaborative treatment plans that include family members, school officials and other wellness professionals. 

Over the past 10 years there has been a global paradigm shift in communication fueled by exponential growth in access to technology.  Coaching recognizes the benefits of  “meeting the client where they are” by offering sessions via video, telephone, email or text.  Coaching can be a stand alone service, or used in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy. Coaching clients are accepted internationally.  

Lighthouse has made a commitment to integrating Yoga philosophy and mindful movement into our treatment plans, and to that end, we offer Yoga in all of our children’s groups as well as individual Yoga sessions and group Yoga classes that can be held in English, Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL).  In order to make Yoga available to all people, regardless of socioeconomic level, group classes will only cost $10/per person. 

Virtual Healing Guide 

In response to the emergency order to shift to virtual treatment as a result of COVID-19, the staff and affiliates of Lighthouse have created a FREE GUIDE TO TELEHEALTH for mental health practitioners and coaches.

We hope you enjoy this guide, and feel free to schedule a consultation if you have any questions!

 Virtual Healing:A Guide to Expressive Therapy Techniques for Telehealth Practitioners 

Thank you to Gretchen, Mary Pat, Toni, Heather, Barbara, Linda, Bill, Bianca, Sally and Charlotte for for each of your contributions during this chaotic time.