Gretchen Morgan

Gretchen Morgan, MSW, LCSW is a founding partner of Lighthouse Counseling & Sand Play Training Center. 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 and play therapy based treatment modality that was transformational to her both professionally and personally. In 2018, Gretchen (along with Debbie Draves Legg and Sally Nilsson) created Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy, an intensive healing modality that combines Equine Facilitated Learning with Sand Play Therapy and can be used in individual, family, group and workshop settings.

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 as well as several international trainings in Ireland and Costa Rica. Gretchen now works in collaboration with the staff at Leaves and Lizards in Costa Rica to present personal development workshops, educational tours and well as offering the only Continuing Education program in Sand Play Therapy and Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy in Central America. In her early career, Gretchen also was an adjunct professor and trainer at Monmouth University.

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 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.

When not working, Gretchen is usually traveling (or planning to travel) and loves spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.