leadinglightcounselingnj

05/27/2026

Still available for support 💚 please continue to share

05/20/2026

Reach out today. Link in bio.
Family’s gofundme https://gofund.me/1e48918b8

05/20/2026

Here in Brick, NJ, our community experienced an unimaginable tragedy this week.

As many families, students, teachers, first responders, and community members try to process the loss of a young life, there are also so many layers of grief, shock, fear, sadness, anger, confusion, and heartbreak being carried right now.

Some people were directly connected.
Some were not.
And many are still deeply affected.

As both a therapist , a parent, and a member of this community, I want to offer support without barriers during this difficult time.

Leading Light Counseling and Consulting will be offering free support sessions for anyone impacted by this tragedy — students, parents, staff, friends, or community members — whether you personally knew those involved or are simply struggling with the weight of it all.

We are offering up to 3 free sessions, though there is no expectation that anyone needs to use all three. If someone simply needs one space to process, that is completely okay too. Everyone deserves a place to be heard and supported.

These sessions will be offered privately and without insurance or payment information in an effort to make support easily accessible during this time.

For those who feel they may need continued support beyond these sessions, we will do our best to work with individuals and families to help accommodate ongoing care as well.

You do not need to “justify” needing support. Community trauma affects people in many different ways.

If you would like to access these support sessions, please visit our website and complete the contact form, indicating “community support” in your message. Someone from our team will reach out as quickly as possible to help get services started.

There is no expectation to know exactly what to say or what you need before reaching out.

Please share with anyone who may benefit from support during this time.

❤️
Melissa Farrell, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CCS
Leading Light Counseling and Consulting

Discover our services and offerings on the homepage. Explore what we have to provide for your needs and interests.

05/15/2026

Friendly summer reminder:

Just because life feels lighter doesn’t mean you stop needing support.

Mental health isn’t seasonal.

At Leading Light Counseling and Consulting, we offer flexible in-person and virtual therapy to help you stay consistent even during busy seasons.

Stay connected to yourself this summer too.

NJ & PA Telehealth | In-Person NJ

05/15/2026

Not everyone processes emotions the same way and therapy should reflect that.

Marissa works with clients from children through young adulthood and into adulthood, adapting her approach based on where you are and what you need.

If you (or your child) are:
– Struggling with anxiety or OCD
– Having a hard time expressing thoughts and emotions clearly
– Needing a more engaging or supportive way to work through challenges

Marissa integrates creative and play-based techniques when appropriate, while also supporting older clients in a way that feels grounded and relatable.

She builds trust quickly, creates a comfortable space, and knows how to meet clients at their level—without pressure.

Offers in-person sessions and telehealth.

If you’re looking for support in a space that feels approachable, supportive, and engaging, you can reach out through the link in our bio to get started.

05/13/2026

Some people don’t need to be pushed, they need to feel safe enough to finally open up.

Bassie works with adults and has now expanding her work with couples who want to better understand their emotions and patterns without feeling judged or rushed.

If you’re someone who:
– Struggles to express what you’re feeling in relationships
– Gets stuck in the same emotional cycles or conflicts
– Wants to feel more connected—to yourself or your partner

Bassie integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help uncover what’s happening underneath the surface—especially in relationships—while also drawing from CBT training through the Beck Institute to bring structure and clarity to the work.

She’s warm, patient, and deeply non-judgmental, creating a space where people feel safe enough to be honest and vulnerable.

Offers in-person sessions and telehealth in NJ.

If you’re looking for therapy that feels emotionally safe, supportive, and grounded, you can reach out through the link in our bio to get started.

05/11/2026

Some people aren’t just looking for support, they’re looking for depth, clarity, and meaningful change during some of life’s biggest transitions.

Laura is an LCSW, clinical supervisor, and Rutgers adjunct who works with adults and couples, with a growing specialization in perinatal mental health for both women and men.

If you’re someone who:
– Is pregnant, postpartum, or adjusting to parenthood and feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unlike yourself
– Is navigating identity shifts, relationship strain, or emotional changes during this stage of life
– Wants thoughtful, insight-oriented therapy with real depth behind it

Laura brings experience from inpatient and hospice settings, allowing her to support clients through emotionally complex and vulnerable life experiences with both warmth and clinical expertise.

She’s grounded, compassionate, and deeply thoughtful in her approach, helping clients better understand themselves, their relationships, and the transitions they’re moving through.

Currently offering telehealth sessions in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, you can reach out through the link in our bio to get started.

05/09/2026

Meet Natalie! She is a registered drama therapist and LPC who works with teens and adults who think, feel, and process creatively.

If you’re someone who:
– Feels disconnected from yourself or your body
– Has tried traditional therapy but wants something deeper or different
– Is open to creative, somatic, or more intuitive approaches

Natalie integrates theater techniques (role play, improvisation, story, movement, music, creative expression) and (when clients are open to it) metaphysical tools like cards and symbolic work to help you play with what feels unplayable and embody the changes you want to make.

She’s compassionate, down-to-earth, and meets you where you are, while helping you expand.

Currently offering telehealth sessions for anyone based in NJ.

If you’ve been looking for a different kind of therapy experience, I may guide you in her direction.

Reach out today to get started! Link in bio.

05/07/2026

Meet Shanti!

Some people aren’t looking for surface-level support—they want someone who can really see what’s going on.

Shanti works best with teens and adults who are ready to understand their patterns and not just talk around them.

If you’re someone who:
– Finds yourself stuck in the same cycles, even when you try to change
– Has been through high-stress or traumatic experiences
– Wants a therapist who is both down-to-earth and able to challenge you

Shanti brings a strong clinical lens shaped by her work in inpatient and domestic violence settings, along with a deep commitment to culturally competent care and elevating South Asian voices.

She’s thoughtful, direct, and highly perceptive—able to connect the dots in ways that help things finally make sense.

Currently offering telehealth sessions.

If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, you can reach out through the 🔗 link in our bio to get started. I personally guide all client matches within the practice.

05/05/2026

Hi! I’m Melissa, Clinician and Owner of Leading Light Counseling and I currently have 5 openings for individual therapy.

Clients who tend to benefit from working with me:
• Are high-functioning, high-achieving, and carrying more internally than others may realize
• Are insightful, but notice patterns that continue to repeat in relationships, work, or within themselves
• Are motivated to learn, understand themselves more deeply, and engage in a process that may include reflection, creativity, and mind-body awareness

In our work together, I integrate evidence-based therapy approaches, neuroscience, and creative and somatic interventions to help you:

• Understand how your brain, nervous system, and life experiences are shaping your current responses
• Increase awareness of patterns, triggers, and internal dynamics
• Develop more adaptive, aligned ways of thinking, feeling, and functioning

Therapy is tailored to your goals and may be short or longer term, with a focus on meaningful, measurable progress, not open-ended work without direction.

This therapy is grounded, collaborative, and focused on lasting change.

If my availability is filled or we aren’t quite the right fit for one another, our team has additional availability and I’m happy to help match you.

📍 NJ (in-person & virtual)
🔗 Link in bio to inquire