Conditions we Treat

The Community Lighthouse is committed to helping families and individuals in the Albuquerque area heal and live happy, mentally healthy and full lives. We offer a variety of therapies and techniques to support you when struggling with these problems and many others.

Traumatic Experiences

Trauma, whether from abuse, loss, or other personal tragedies, can lead to emotional, physical and mental complaints. Panic attacks, mood swings, excessive worry, and problems with eating, sleeping, or concentrating are just a few of the symptoms that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event. For children, experiencing trauma can also lead to problems in school, anger and defiance, depression or excessive crying, bedwetting, and other interferences in normal growth and development. Our unique approach and training let us work with people who have experienced traumatic or horrific events. We strive to help you process the traumatic experience and move on to a place of healing and acceptance.

Grief and Bereavement

Grief and Bereavement are natural processes after a loss occurs, but sometimes this can be complicated and it may be difficult to move on without help. Like trauma, loss can lead to problems in many areas, especially depression and anger. We have specifically trained therapists experienced in helping both adults and children deal with these complications following the death of a loved one, a divorce, or other losses. Through play therapy or insight-oriented treatments, we can help in dealing with the emotional pain while coming to understand the loss and accepting a new life.

Divorce

We frequently help families cope with the changes and feelings that happen when divorce occurs. Our therapists are trained to work with young children who may not be able to understand the changes in their family, as well as help parents and older children develop healthy methods to grow and work together. Our grouping of experienced therapists allows us to work as a team and support the entire family as well as provide individual counseling to each family member. We also work with divorced parents to build skills and cooperation in parenting their children separately.

Behavior Problems

Children and teenagers can experience changes or problems in behavior resulting from loss, trauma or medical/mental concerns. These problems may be changes in school performance, fighting with peers and siblings, lack of concentration, anger or defiance at home, drug use, running away, crying, and other mood disturbances. We use a variety of assessment techniques to help your family find the reason behind these problems. We offer individual therapy with the child as well as education and support for the parents to develop coping skills and positive behaviors.

Relationship Problems

Difficulties in relationships can occur for many different reasons. Poor communication, lack of trust, past hurts and abuse can make it difficult to keep or rebuild healthy loving relationships. Periods of separation, especially between children and parents, can also create barriers in bonding and strengthening relationships. We provide couples and marriage counseling focusing on understanding relationship dynamics, building trust and understanding, and working together to reach goals. We also help parents and children renew or build strong healthy attachments and bonding to have better relationships and happier families.

Specific Disorders

Our therapists are specifically trained in a variety of disorders or diagnoses. We can provide multi-focused assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and work with the children and parents to understand the disorder and develop effective strategies for success. We can also make referrals for different alternative treatments and when necessary medication evaluations. In addition to ADHD/ADD, our therapists have training and experience in working with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety and Mood Disorders, Depression, and Adjustment Disorders.