Profiles
Y. Mimi Ryans
LCSW-C, LICSW, RPT-S, CCTP
My name is Y. Mimi Ryans, LCSW-C, RPT-S, CCPT, I am the Owner/Therapist at Lighthouse Center for Therapy & Play. For the past decade, I have made it my lifework to provide quality mental health services to children and families either experiencing mental health crises or those with specific mental health needs. In the last few years, it has become more evident to me that the focus on trauma when addressing children’s mental health needs is imperative to their healing and completing their treatment. It’s important to explore not only the presentation, but the “why” behind it.
In 2013, I incorporated Lighthouse Center for Therapy & Play. At Lighthouse Center for Therapy & Play, the mission is to provide hope and healing to children and families through the power of play. Lighthouse is a therapist owned and operated provider of mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. We provide quality individual, family and group therapy to the children and families of the greater Baltimore/Washington Corridor. We truly believe in working with each individual and family to help them understand and utilize their strengths in the process of healing and broadening their communication through expressive therapies.
We offer children, adolescents, and adults the opportunity to process their feelings and challenges through the use of play therapy and other alternative techniques including sandplay, filial, art and expressive therapies. Play therapy, children’s natural language, offers them the opportunity to process and communicate their feelings and needs without the traditional “talk” therapy that is common in therapeutic settings. We use several play therapy interventions including trauma-focused integrated play therapy, child-parent relationship therapy, and other interventions that strengthen the client’s ability to function in the home, school and other environments that they identify. We believe that working with children through their natural language of play is the most impactful strategy to assist them with identifying and addressing their emotional and behavioral health challenges.
I love the work that I feel I have been called to do. I feel that everybody that I encounter in the therapeutic setting can benefit from just a little more play.
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Debi Vir
LCMFT, CATP
Clinical Director
As an Intern, I worked with children, adolescents and adults who were physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abused. I became a certified Domestic Violence Specialist in California and developed and implemented group and workshop curriculum addressing domestic violence, stress management, body image, and eating disorders. As a licensed therapist in community mental health, I provided services to children, adolescents, adults and families with a range of difficulties including ADHD, mood dysregulation, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief/loss, eating disorders, domestic violence, and trauma. I transitioned to adult services and became a Program Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, and ultimately Assistant Director of QA/QI and Training.
In addition to my clinical work, I was an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University, Los Angeles in the Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology Program for several years. I taught courses in Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning; Group Therapy; and Interpersonal processes.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from U.C.L.A. and my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.
MD License # LCM617 – CA License # MFC38844
Debi Vir
LCMFT, CATP
Clinical Director
As an Intern, I worked with children, adolescents and adults who were physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abused. I became a certified Domestic Violence Specialist in California and developed and implemented group and workshop curriculum addressing domestic violence, stress management, body image, and eating disorders. As a licensed therapist in community mental health, I provided services to children, adolescents, adults and families with a range of difficulties including ADHD, mood dysregulation, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief/loss, eating disorders, domestic violence, and trauma. I transitioned to adult services and became a Program Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, and ultimately Assistant Director of QA/QI and Training.
In addition to my clinical work, I was an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University, Los Angeles in the Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology Program for several years. I taught courses in Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning; Group Therapy; and Interpersonal processes.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from U.C.L.A. and my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.
MD License # LCM617 – CA License # MFC38844