Brenda Santos, PhD Student, MBA, LPC, LCADC, CCS, ACS, NCC, EMDRIA Certified
Founder, Co-Owner, Chief Operating Officer
Brenda is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Florida
As COO and Founder of Grace & Healing LLC, Brenda brings a comprehensive, integrative leadership approach to behavioral health operations, program development, and organizational excellence. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Doctoral student in Psychology with nearly a decade of clinical experience in behavioral health.
Professional Background
Brenda's expertise spans trauma-informed care, substance use, anxiety, and depression—particularly in adolescent and adult populations. Her dual licensure and multiple advanced certifications (CCS, ACS, NCC) reflect her deep commitment to clinical excellence and her ability to lead and develop high-quality behavioral health programs. Her programmatic leadership is informed by her training in EMDR and a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
Leadership Approach
Brenda is known for blending warmth, strategic vision, and evidence-based thinking into her leadership. She believes that exceptional behavioral health organizations are built when clinical integrity and operational excellence work in tandem. Her work emphasizes staff development, program quality, and creating environments where both clinicians and clients can thrive.
Areas of Operational Expertise
- Behavioral health program development and oversight
- Regulatory compliance and licensure
- Clinical staff leadership and training
- Trauma-informed organizational practices
- Perinatal and adolescent program development
- Faith-based and culturally responsive programming
What Colleagues Say
Brenda is recognized as "brilliant, energetic, and dynamic"—valued as both a compassionate advocate and a skilled leader who drives meaningful growth within behavioral health organizations.
Serrina Hutka, HR/Compliance Officer
Serrina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University and her Master of Arts in School Counseling from Centenary College (now University). With more than a decade of counseling and leadership experience, she now supports our therapists and leadership team in the areas of compliance, operations, and human resources.
Dedicated, detail-oriented, and passionate about organizational excellence, Serrina brings a steady and supportive presence to our practice.
Outside of work, Serrina enjoys spending time at the beach, running, and small group fellowship.
For all internship and employment inquiries, please reach out to her at hr@graceandhealing.co
Gabriella Milagres, Director of Practice Experience
With over 10 years of experience in caregiving and direct support, Gabbie brings a strong foundation of compassion, patience, and relationship-building to her work in behavioral health and recovery services. In 2022, she transitioned into the behavioral health field, beginning her career as a House Technician within a sober living program. Through her dedication and commitment to supporting individuals in recovery, she advanced into roles as an Office Manager and ADC Intern at a substance use treatment facility, gaining experience in both direct care and the administrative and clinical operations of behavioral health services.
Gabbie is passionate about helping people build the skills and confidence needed to navigate challenges, strengthen healthy relationships, and make positive choices. Her compassionate and trauma-informed approach allows her to create supportive relationships while encouraging accountability, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the development of healthy coping strategies. She values meeting each person where they are and helping them recognize their strengths while working toward greater independence and personal growth.
Gabbie understands the importance of consistency, trust, encouragement, and teamwork when supporting clients and families. She works collaboratively with individuals, families, and treatment teams to promote meaningful progress and reinforce skills that can be carried into everyday life.
Gabbie is fluent in English and Portuguese.