Helping Young People Reach Their True Potential
Helping Young People Reach Their True Potential
Helping Young People Reach Their True Potential
Our practice specializes in helping teens and young adults suffering with mental health issues and substance abuse problems.
Helping Families in Crisis
Helping Young People Reach Their True Potential
Helping Young People Reach Their True Potential
We work very closely and collaboratively with the entire family unit and their treatment teams to get to the heart of the matter before recommending a solution.
Finding a Path Forward
Helping Young People Reach Their True Potential
Finding a Path Forward
It may not seem possible in the moment but there is a path forward. We work closely with families to create an individualized plan to help get their loved one to a happier and healthier place.
About Us
Welcome to Lighthouse Therapeutic Consulting
Maureen was born and raised in the Boston area and attended Boston College for her undergraduate work. After college, she embarked on a two-year Peace Corps assignment in West Africa. Her next stop was London for graduate work at the London School of Economics where she obtained a master’s degree in economics and then spent almost 30 years living and working in the Pacific Islands (The Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa and Hawaii).
Maureen earned a Masters in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health in 1996 from the University of Hawaii on Oahu and a Masters in Counseling Psychology in 2009 from the University of Hawaii in Hilo and worked as an adolescent and young adult therapist at a therapeutic wilderness program on the Big Island.
Through this experience, she was able to witness the profound impact that the healing power of nature had on young people and their families. She developed a passion for working with parents of struggling teens and adolescents during a painful and confusing time in their lives. This is the passion that continues to drive her and her work to this day.
As a therapeutic consultant, she is well versed on the myriad of therapeutic options for young people. She travels often to tour programs, learn the therapeutic approaches used in programs and to strengthen relationships with program leadership and clinical team. This enables her to advise parents on a path forward for their struggling child, adolescent or young adult. Maureen is based in Boston, Massachusetts and serves families from all over the country as well as internationally.
*This serves as a disclosure that Maureen also currently serves as a parent coach in a coaching and psychotherapy practice, with further details provided to all those seeking services to avoid any conflict of interest.
Welcome to Lighthouse Therapeutic Consulting
Susan Coulson joined Lighthouse as a therapeutic consultant in early 2024. She is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor (CADC) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services. Prior to joining Lighthouse, she worked in various roles within admissions, referral relations, and placement assisting. Her unique life experiences allow for understanding and compassion, both for those suffering with addiction or mental health issues as well as their loved ones. Her belief in the individual’s ability to replace their anxiety, confusion, and depression with hope, empowerment, and insight is a big part of what she hopes to bring to clients and their families.
Susan is a member of the Gap Year Association and completed their Counselor’s Institute. She is also a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) and participates in professional conferences regularly as well as ongoing continuing education.
When she is not working, Susan enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being in nature, traveling, gardening, volunteering, and playing with her pets.
Individual Therapy, Family Coaching and Therapeutic Consulting
Therapeutic consulting is a relationship-based process of guiding a family through the daunting experience of finding the right treatment options for their struggling child. Maureen forms close relationships with the families she serves acting as a strong shoulder to lean on as they navigate through the uncharted territory of the therapeutic experience.
Maureen visits therapeutic programs all over the country to gain in-depth knowledge of their clinical models and the approaches they utilize to help their young clients. She cultivates relationships with admissions staff and clinical teams in programs to learn what truly sets that program apart from others.
The goal of this research is to be able to make recommendations to parents of the best programs to consider for their child. This is based on a deep understanding of the therapeutic needs of the client combined with an understanding of the best available placement options.
The art of therapeutic consulting is, at times, both an art and a science. Effective therapeutic consulting involves cultivating and maintaining relationships with program staff and clinical teams that provide the best treatment available for a struggling family member. It also involves getting to know the families and the nature of their struggles so that solid recommendations can be made for a path forward.
Our Approach
Each case begins by spending a great deal of time with parents doing a deep dive into the issues that have been causing the client, and their family, pain and confusion. Maureen’s ability to listen deeply and engage with parents from a place of understanding and empathy – really sets her apart.
The next step involves guiding a path forward. Maureen creates a curated list of program options based on the specific needs of the client and their family. There are numerous programs and treatment paths available. Understanding the differences between the options can be overwhelming and difficult. Maureen works with families to ensure that they understand each program and treatment option available to their child and family.
Maureen remains involved during the treatment process by providing case management services throughout the treatment process and beyond. This includes remaining in close communication with the treatment team and the family. Maureen partners with families and collaborates with the program's clinical team towards shared the goal of a successful treatment experience.
Who we Serve
Maureen works with families of children, adolescents and young adults who struggle with the following diagnoses:
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
School refusal
Personality disorders
Disordered eating
Gender issues
Self harming behaviors
Suicidal ideations
Substance abuse
Complicated family dynamics
Academic/learning difficulties
Failure to launch
Problematic Sexual Behaviors