Laura da Silva, LCMHC, RPT-S

Laura da Silva is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and the Owner of Lighthouse Counseling Services. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Laura has experience working with couples, children, teens, adults, and families.

She specializes in...

Trauma

The brain’s primary job is to keep us alive! It controls our organs, processes experiences, and constantly learns to determine what is safe and what is not. It does this by creating rules based on our past experiences and knowledge. However, the brain doesn’t always distinguish between real and perceived threats—like when you wake up from a vivid dream and struggle to shake the emotions it stirred. Sometimes, based on past trauma, the brain signals danger even when we are actually safe. These moments are called triggers.

However, there is good news! Our brains are not permanently wired by trauma. They are adaptable and capable of healing. This is referred to as Neuroplasticity. Through intentional therapeutic work, you can “reprogram” the brain, helping it process past experiences in a way that no longer paralyzes you in the present. No matter how big or small the trauma may seem, it can leave lasting effects that disrupt daily life.

With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I have worked with children, teens, and adults who have faced a wide range of traumatic experiences. 

I am trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)—two evidence-based approaches proven to be highly effective in trauma treatment. Healing is possible, and with the right support, you can regain control, find peace, and move forward in your life.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse, like other forms of abuse, can be deeply traumatizing, leaving lasting effects that extend far beyond the experience itself—no matter how old a person was when it happened. It can impact every aspect of a survivor’s life, from their sense of self-worth and personal relationships to their ability to trust others and feel safe in the world. The emotional toll often manifests as guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, or even numbness, making it difficult to navigate daily life and have healthy relationships. The effects of sexual abuse are not just emotional but can also be physical, as the body holds onto trauma in ways that may cause chronic stress responses. Having one’s body violated and sense of safety shattered is an incredibly painful and often an isolating experience, but healing is possible with the right support, understanding, and therapeutic approach.

When I began my career in mental health over 20 years ago, I initially worked with sexual perpetrators. A few years later, I shifted my focus to working with survivors of sexual abuse—a field that has since become my deepest passion. Helping survivors move through the heavy emotions of guilt, shame, and worthlessness toward healing and self-empowerment is a journey I feel honored to be a part of.

Healing from sexual abuse is a process, but it is possible. I utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sand Tray Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Play Therapy to help survivors process their trauma, regain a sense of safety, and reclaim their lives and build healthy relationships.

Depression & anxiety

I once had a friend describe her depression as feeling like she was trapped in deep water, with chains pulling her down, making it impossible to reach the surface. That image has always stuck with me. Depression can feel suffocating, isolating, and inescapable. It often brings overwhelming emotions of sadness, worthlessness, and emptiness, along with a lack of motivation and interest in things that once brought joy. Of course, depression exists on a spectrum—some experience a mild but persistent sadness, while others feel completely consumed by hopelessness.

When you begin noticing a loss of motivation, withdrawal from activities you once enjoyed, or a tendency to isolate yourself, it’s time to reach out for support. You don’t have to navigate it alone—seeking help can be the first step toward reversing the downward spiral and reclaiming your life.

Anxiety is often depression’s closest companion, and while they don’t always coexist, they frequently feed into each other. Anxiety can be just as debilitating, filling the mind with racing thoughts, irrational fears, and relentless worry. It doesn’t just affect the mind—it can manifest physically, leading to muscle tension, headaches, chronic fatigue and other physical ailments. The overwhelming nature of anxiety can drain motivation, leaving a person feeling stuck, which can then spiral into depression.

Throughout my career, I have worked with many individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. I have presented on these topics at conferences, and religious events, in Utah, New Mexico, and Idaho, sharing insights on effective treatment strategies.

I believe in a personalized, evidence-based approach to therapy. Using Solution-Focused Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other modalities, I help individuals break free from the chain of depression and anxiety. You are not alone, and healing is possible.

Life adjustments.

Life is constantly evolving, bringing both subtle shifts and major transitions. Some changes happen so gradually that we barely notice them—like adjusting to a new routine or slowly outgrowing certain habits. Others arrive like a storm, shaking our sense of stability and leaving us feeling unmoored. These bigger transitions—whether expected or unexpected—can bring up deep feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and uncertainty. We may question our ability to adapt, struggle with the loss of what was familiar, or feel overwhelmed by the unknown ahead. Change, even when it leads to growth, can be uncomfortable and disorienting. However, learning how to navigate these shifts with resilience, self-compassion, can help us find a sense of balance and inner peace amid the uncertainty.

My approach is informed by my training in mindfulness and life coaching, as well as my passion for self-help literature and personal development. To support clients through life’s transitions, I utilize evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. These approaches help individuals process change, build resilience, and regain a sense of control over their lives.

Change, even when necessary or expected, can be difficult. No matter where you are in your journey, you don’t have to face change alone—healing, growth, and clarity are within reach.

For over 20 years, I have helped individuals of all ages—adults, teenagers, and children—adjust to life’s challenges, including divorce, relocation, job loss, health changes, grief, and the loss of important relationships.

Couples

Entering a serious relationship is often an exciting and joyful experience. The rush of love, passion, and connection can make everything feel effortless. However, as time passes and the adrenaline of new love fades, couples often find themselves shifting into more of a “business partnership.” Daily responsibilities—paying bills, raising children, managing the home, and keeping up with life’s demands—can take center stage, pushing the relationship itself to the background. When partners stop prioritizing one another, emotional distance can grow, leading to feelings such as resentment, hurt, and disconnection.

I have worked with couples facing a variety of challenges, including those contemplating divorce, desiring to learn to co-parent after separation, working through infidelity, feeling like they have become roommates, or simply seeking a relationship “tune-up.” No matter the situation, rebuilding trust, improving communication, and fostering emotional intimacy are all possible with the right tools and guidance.

I have attended Gottman Conferences and incorporate the Gottman Method as a foundational approach when working with couples. This evidence-based method helps identify the areas of a relationship that are strong and those that need improvement. By leveraging the strengths, we can work together to address the weaker aspects, creating a balanced and healthier partnership.

CHILDREN

Early in my career in the mental health field, I had the opportunity to work at a Residential Treatment Facility for teenagers, and it deeply impacted me. My heart broke for these young people, many of whom faced challenges that, if addressed during childhood, might have prevented them from needing such intensive care. Childhood is a critical time for developing survival skills that will help us navigate adulthood—skills like self-soothing, emotional resilience, social interaction, and academic discipline. However, for some, their childhood is marred by devastating life experiences—abuse, negative peer relationships, parental divorce, the death of a loved one, etc—that complicate the development of these essential skills. These traumas can interfere with the normal progression of their brain development, making it even more difficult to acquire the tools they need to succeed in life.

I have always been passionate about working with children, helping them navigate and overcome difficult experiences. I am dedicated to supporting their journey toward healthy brain development and fostering strong relationships that will provide stability as they grow. When I began my career as a mental health therapist, therapeutic playrooms were not widely available to me, so I carried a bag of therapeutic toys to my sessions. As soon as I entered private practice, having a dedicated playroom became a top priority. During graduate school, I knew I wanted to specialize in play therapy, and I focused much of my studies on this area. As soon as possible, I worked toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Now, I am honored to be a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and provide weekly play therapy supervision to other clinicians at Lighthouse Counseling Services.

I utilize a variety of treatment modalities in my work with children, focusing primarily on Child-Centered Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Jungian Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Expressive Arts, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Theraplay. I will soon be trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy. These approaches allow children to express themselves in ways that feel safe and non-threatening, enabling them to process their emotions, work through trauma, and build the skills they need to lead fulfilling lives in a safe way.

In my spare time I enjoy watching Hallmark, reading, spending time with my husband and children, hiking, paddleboarding and traveling. I have written some self-help books for children which include "When I feel Sad," "When I Feel Mad," "When I Feel Scared" and 2 self-help audios for adults "Release the Fat" and "Reach for the Stars." Other publications include 3 articles, "Parenting - A Sacrifice Well-worth It," "Battling on the Frontlines of Life" and "Keeping the Flame of Motivation Alive."

I have also presented in UT, NM and ID on “I am Enough!”

CLINICAL FOUNDATION

Life is often full of challenges that can make it difficult to reach your full potential and find peace and happiness. I strive to create a safe and comforting space where you can explore these challenges and begin your healing journey. I believe that no single therapeutic model works for everyone or every situation, which is why I take an eclectic approach in my treatment, tailoring it to meet your unique needs and circumstances.

**Not Accepting New Clients**

License #:  5805169-6004