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Meet The Founder Ben Licata
(CSAT-S) CERTIFIED SEX ADDICTION THERAPIST - SUPERVISOR
DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING
Hi, I’m Ben, founder and Director of Counseling here at Lighthouse.
If you’re here, chances are you’re carrying something heavy—maybe addiction, betrayal, or the pain of watching someone you love struggle. Whatever brings you here, I want you to know: you’re not alone, and this doesn’t have to be the end of your story.
At Lighthouse, we believe you are the hero of your story. You already have the courage it takes to face what’s broken. What you may need now is a guide—someone who’s been there and knows the way forward.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist and Supervisor (CSAT-S), personally trained by Dr. Patrick Carnes. For decades, I’ve helped individuals and couples find freedom from addiction and rebuild their lives. But this work is more than professional for me—it’s personal.
Years ago, I was caught in the pain and secrecy of addiction. I remember the shame, the isolation, and the feeling that I’d never get free. My turning point came with a simple, honest prayer—just admitting to God that I couldn’t do it on my own. That moment began a journey of surrender, healing, and slowly letting others in. It wasn’t easy—but it changed everything.
That experience is why I founded Lighthouse in 1997—to offer others the same kind of help and hope that was given to me.
We’ve built a place where people can come just as they are, be met with compassion instead of judgment, grace instead of shame, and be equipped with a clear, proven plan for healing.
If you're hurting, or if someone you love is struggling, don’t keep carrying it alone. We’re here, and we would be honored to walk with you.
Meet Our Baton Rouge Office Counselors
Garrison Johnson
Garry Eldridge
Ella McGibney
Ella is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of sexual addiction and betrayal. She is especially compassionate towards adolescents struggling with sexually compulsive behaviors and women who either struggle with addiction themselves or are carrying the deep pain of sexual betrayal. Ella's work is grounded in a deep respect for each person's story and a belief in their capacity for healing, change, and meaningful connection.
Sexual compulsivity can be isolating, shame-inducing, and disruptive to one's personal relationships, goals, and self-esteem. Ella provides a safe space where clients can explore the underlying emotional, relational, and behavioral patterns that contribute to these struggles. Ella also recognizes that sexually compulsive behavior often intersects with other challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, or difficulties with intimacy and identity. Ella works with each client holistically, honoring the complexity of their experiences while helping them build healthier relationships with themselves and others.
Ella is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Specialization in Clinical Mental Health from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has attended trainings in Sand Tray Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
Meet Our New Orleans Office Counselors
Ben Licata
Ben’s passion for this work is deeply personal. His own recovery journey began with a simple prayer and the courage to ask for help—a moment that set him on a path of healing, transformation, and lifelong purpose. In 1997, he founded Lighthouse Counseling to offer others the same grace, guidance, and freedom that changed his life.
— Fighting for freedom, fueled by grace.
Garry Eldridge
Christine Rodrigue
Katie Knight
Katie is dedicated to creating a space where individuals feel heard and understood. She is particularly passionate about providing consistent, compassionate care to those affected by sexual addiction, as well as their families. Recognizing that sex addiction can deeply impact the entire family system, Katie has prepared to work with couples, individuals, and families to foster healing and growth. She also works with adolescents who are coping with trauma or sexually compulsive behaviors.
She believes in counseling and its ability to make lasting change. She is committed to helping her clients find hope and resilience despite their challenges. Katie’s practice offers a safe and supportive environment where clients can work toward recovery from a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma.
For those struggling with sexual addiction or partners affected by sex addiction, Katie’s expertise and compassionate approach may be the support you need to navigate the path to healing.
Katie is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Specialization in Marriage and Family from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prepare-Enrich Marital Counseling, and Sand Tray Therapy.
Hayden Jernigan
Phil Veneziano
Brian Mathews
Brian is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). He graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Specialization in Clinical Mental Health from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2026. He has also earned a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Studies from the University of South Florida.
Brian is dedicated to creating a safe space where clients can share their stories of struggle without judgment or shame. He believes that the work of healing begins with an honest telling of one’s own story of suffering and pain and learning to integrate it into the wider scope of one's lived experience. Essential to this work is the hope that transformation and restoration are possible for everyone in their healing journey. Brian engages this work with individuals and couples facing a diversity of mental health challenges, including sexual addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and spiritual concerns.
Carol Meche
Office Manager