Ricardo Hurley

Ricardo J. Hurley is a therapist and licensed social worker at the Lighthouse Emotional Wellness Center. He specializes in mental health, working with teens, young adults, adults, individuals, and couples as he is being trained in the Couples Synergy model by Dr. Ray & Jean Kadkhodaian.

As a young man growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Ricardo had a desire to help others in any way he could, whether it was through community service or being that one person you could rely on for good advice and encouragement. He comes from a long line of family members who dedicated their lives to serving their surrounding community in some way or fashion. The strongest and most honorable person in his family is his grandmother, Adelia “Mama” Hurley, who founded two day cares and after-school programs in Chicago on the south and west sides of the city, as well as being in the National Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. She inspired him to find my own way of knowing how he could find a need in his culture and community and what he could do to serve others.

Ricardo has over 7 years of experience in the social work field, ranging from youth residential care, school-based clinician, and his current position as a psychotherapist. He has worked under many clinicians, social workers, and youth care workers, learning aspects of crisis management, trauma care, life coaching, and anger management.

Ricardo’s greatest success with clients thus far has been being able to step in to help a young woman who was at risk of self-harm. During this time, the woman’s support group had started to drift away, and his services became the only ones consistent in her life to help her manage her past and present trauma. In this, he was not only able to help her, but was also reminded why he chose this path of work for a career.

“Lighthouse is an amazing place with a truly amazing, professional, down-to-earth staff that has aided me in learning and allowed me to be myself as a person and professional. Dr. Ray and Jean have truly created something here that works for individuals and couples alike.”

“If you are currently reading this wondering if counseling is for you, my question for you would be, “Why not? We all have problems, we all need someone to talk to, and we all need to have a safe place free of judgment while also being held accountable.”