FOUNDER & CEO

Ben Mushlin's path to becoming a psychotherapist is rooted in something deeply personal. His own journey through substance use, trauma, and personal struggle gave him firsthand knowledge of how transformative the right support can be and inspired a lifelong commitment to offering that same compassion and guidance to others.

Before stepping into the clinical world, Ben spent years working across New York City in substance use recovery, starting in sober living residences and growing into roles as a Recovery Coach and Case Manager. He went on to lead a NYC Department of Health opioid overdose response team, work that deepened his conviction that people deserve real, responsive, human-centered care. He earned his Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, then built a career marked by increasing responsibility: psychotherapist in outpatient substance use treatment, director of a transitional living program for adults with co-occurring disorders, and Clinical Director at one of New York City's premier adolescent and young adult outpatient programs.

Ben's clinical style is warm, relational, and deeply collaborative. He draws on evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and family systems frameworks, to help young people and their families move from crisis to connection, and build lasting tools for growth and recovery.

In 2026, Ben authored Lighting the Way: A Parent's Guide to Walking With Teens and Young Adults Through Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges, bringing his clinical expertise and personal insight to families navigating one of the hardest journeys a parent can face.

Ben founded Searchlight Therapy to create a space where adolescents, young adults, and families can access high-quality, compassionate, and truly individualized care. At the heart of everything Ben does is a simple but powerful belief: healing happens when the whole family is seen, supported, and understood.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER & LEAD THERAPIST

Rachel’s journey to becoming a psychotherapist is deeply rooted in her own personal path of recovery. Having navigated her way through substance use and maladaptive coping strategies, Rachel found healing through the support of compassionate, dedicated professionals. Inspired by the care and guidance she received, Rachel felt called to give back and support others facing their own challenges.

Before becoming a licensed therapist, Rachel worked on the front lines of recovery as a Peer Specialist in NYC hospitals. She also served as a Recovery Coach and Case Manager in various substance use treatment centers, gaining firsthand experience in supporting individuals through some of their most vulnerable moments.Motivated to deepen her impact, Rachel went on to earn her Master of Social Work (LMSW) from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Since then, she has brought her clinical skills to a wide range of treatment settings throughout New York City, facilitating individual therapy, family sessions, intensive outpatient (IOP) groups, and providing clinical supervision. Her work has spanned across age groups and clinical needs, always with a focus on meeting people where they are.

Rachel’s therapeutic approach is strengths-based, holistic, and rooted in the belief that trust and connection are the foundation of meaningful healing. She draws from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care to tailor treatment to each individual. Whether someone is navigating recovery, trauma, anxiety, or life transitions, Rachel provides a compassionate and grounded space for clients to explore, grow, and thrive on their wellness journey.

PRIMARY THERAPIST & GAMBLING SPECIALIST

Daniel is a licensed clinical social worker who is passionate about helping individuals improve their lives and confront their fears. He specializes in addiction, substance use disorders, and problem gambling, and has developed a therapeutic approach focused on building confidence, gaining insight, and developing practical life skills to manage mental health challenges.

He is trained in Motivational Interviewing and Accelerated Resolution Therapy and believes strongly in the importance of evidence-based treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and gambling disorder. His clinical work is also informed by principles of Stoic and existential philosophy, emphasizing personal responsibility, acceptance of what cannot be controlled, and the pursuit of meaning through deliberate action.

With experience working with people of all walks of life, Daniel has built a reputation for creating a safe, welcoming, and compassionate clinical environment. Much of his career has been dedicated to working with adolescents and young adults, developing a style of therapy that is lighthearted while remaining grounded in depth and clinical integrity.

Having begun his personal recovery journey as a college freshman in 2009, Daniel has dedicated his career to helping individuals find hope and meaning in their lives. His work focuses on helping clients clarify their thinking and develop tangible skills to confidently move into the next chapter of their lives.on goes here

SENIOR CLINICAL ADVISOR

With over 25 years of clinical and leadership experience, Wendy Caplan brings deep expertise in addiction treatment, trauma recovery, and family work. During her tenure as Program Director at Caron Treatment Centers, Wendy worked extensively with individuals and families navigating the complex intersections of substance use, trauma, and co-occurring emotional challenges. Her work was grounded in an integrative, relational approach that emphasizes b​oth stabilization and long-term healing.

Trained as an experiential therapist, Wendy incorporates somatic awareness, psychodynamic principles, and attachment-based interventions to help clients access and process emotions that are often beyond words. She has specialized training in trauma-informed care and utilizes a blend of experiential, cognitive, and mindfulness-based modalities to promote resilience and self-regulation. Wendy’s clinical style is characterized by warmth, authenticity, and a strong belief in the power of the therapeutic relationship to foster change.

Wendy’s approach is rooted in the understanding that nurturance, mindfulness, and resilience are essential foundations for recovery. She supports individuals and families in developing greater self-compassion, emotional flexibility, and connection — the cornerstones of sustainable healing. In her advisory role at Searchlight Therapy, Wendy provides clinical consultation, program development guidance, and mentorship to the team, while also maintaining a limited caseload of clients