Therapists

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Brenda Santos, Ph.D Student, MBA, LPC, LCADC, CCS, ACS, NCC, EMDR-Trained

Owner & Founder, Therapist, Executive Director, Grace & Healing Psychotherapy – Red Bank, NJ

Brenda is licensed in NJ, NY, and in FL.

Brenda Santos is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly a decade of clinicial experience. She is a doctoral student in Psychology who is deeply dedicated to helping adolescents, adults, and families build resilience and experience authentic healing. With dual licensure (LPC & LCADC) and multiple advanced certifications (CCS, ACS, NCC), she brings a comprehensive, integrative approach to her work at Grace & Healing Psychotherapy. Brenda has numerous clinical specialties highlighting her dedication to building her skillset to best serve clients in their healing.

Brenda’s expertise includes working with trauma and PTSD, substance use, anxiety, and depression—particularly in teens and young adults. She is trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
   
• Motivational Interviewing
   
• Mindfulness-Based CBT
   
• Faith-Based Therapy
   
• Play Therapy
   
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
   
• Positive Psychology
   
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma recovery

• Christian Counseling

• Eating Disorders

• Nurtured heart parenting

• Perinatal Counseling
   

Brenda is known for blending warmth, humor, and empathy with evidence-based interventions. She believes that healing begins when clients feel both safe and challenged in the therapeutic space. Her work emphasizes self-compassion, skill-building, and personal growth—empowering clients to develop resilience, release old patterns, and move toward a life of balance and purpose.

With her clients, Brenda focuses not only on symptom relief but also on uncovering the underlying roots of emotional pain. She encourages clients to approach themselves with kindness while learning the tools and strategies needed to thrive in everyday life.

• Individual Therapy: Private one-on-one sessions (in-person or telehealth)

• Family Therapy

• Couples Therapy
   
• Group Therapy: CBT-based specialty groups for adults in Red Bank and Virtual  (rates: $150–$200 per session; Insurance accepted)
   

• Adolescents and adults navigating trauma, addiction, anxiety, or major life transitions
   
• Individuals seeking faith-affirming, Christian-aligned therapy (per request only*)
   
• Clients who prefer out-of-network, self-pay options for privacy and personalized attention
   

Brenda is recognized as “brilliant, energetic, and dynamic”—valued as both a compassionate advocate and a skillful guide who challenges clients toward meaningful growth.

Dr. Clarissa Mulligan Attara, Ph.D., LPC, LCADC, LMHC, CCS, ACS, NCC, EMDR Certified Clinician

DBT Certified Clinician, CCTP, EMDRIA Consultant in Training (CIT), EFFT Trained, DBR Trained

Owner & Creator, Clinical Director & Lead Therapist, Grace & Healing Psychotherapy – Red Bank, NJ 

Dr. Attara is licensed in NJ, NY and PA.

Dr. Attara is a nationally recognized clinician specializing in trauma, PTSD, addiction recovery, and LGBTQ+ affirming counseling for adolescents, adults, and families (ages 9+). Her work is rooted in the belief that true healing requires addressing both the mind and the body, and she skillfully integrates a wide spectrum of therapeutic approaches to meet clients exactly where they are on their journey. Dr. Attara is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

She is certified in and incorporates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting)—powerful trauma-processing modalities that access the brain and body’s natural capacity to resolve unresolved pain. In addition, she draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), attachment-based therapy, mindfulness practices, poly-systemic frameworks, and compassion-focused methods. This integrative approach allows her to tailor each session to the unique needs of her clients, fostering deep emotional repair, nervous system regulation, and sustainable transformation.

Beyond individual therapy, Dr. Attara also offers intensives and family coaching. She frequently works with individuals and families navigating complex relationship dynamics, cycles of chronic relapse, gender and sexual identity concerns, and openness in relationship structures. With a grounding in attachment theory, she helps clients explore the core beliefs that shape their experiences—compassionately guiding them to rewrite painful narratives, release long-held shame, and embrace their authentic selves. As she reminds her clients, “the body truly keeps the score,” and healing often begins when those unspoken stories are finally given space to transform.

Grace & Healing is designed as a boutique, concierge-style practice that emphasizes privacy, personalization, and an elevated therapeutic experience. Clients have the option to engage in therapy through both in-person sessions at the Red Bank, NJ office and secure virtual sessions, with flexible scheduling that includes morning, evening, and weekend availability. This approach makes high-quality care accessible for clients with demanding schedules or those who prefer the convenience of telehealth.

Individual sessions are offered, and couples sessions. Payments are accepted via credit/debit card and HSA accounts, ensuring convenience and flexibility. Grace & Healing also accepts major insurance providers, including Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, Magnacare, Multiplan, and UnitedHealthcare. However, many clients choose the private-pay model to prioritize discretion, continuity of care, and the freedom to schedule sessions without the limitations of insurance.

This concierge model allows Dr. Attara to maintain a more personalized, responsive therapeutic environment—ensuring that every client receives not only clinical expertise, but also the dedicated time, care, and attention they deserve.

• Adolescents, adults, and families navigating the effects of trauma, PTSD, or unresolved grief
   
• Individuals in recovery from addiction or cycles of relapse seeking both structure and compassionate accountability
   
• LGBTQ+ youth and adults exploring identity, relationships, or navigating unsupportive environments
   
• Couples and families working through conflict, communication barriers, or transitions in relationship structures
   
• Clients seeking intensives to address complex trauma or accelerate progress in a focused, supportive format
   
• Those desiring faith-sensitive care, where spirituality and emotional health can be integrated without judgment
   
• Clients prioritizing privacy and continuity through a concierge, private-pay model that ensures personalized attention
   

Dr. Attara is most effective with individuals who are ready to engage in meaningful work, even when it feels difficult. She provides a compassionate, steady presence while offering the challenge and skill-building necessary for lasting change.

 What Clients Appreciate

Dr. Attara is celebrated for her deep curiosity, empathy, and ability to create trust. Endorsed as an outstanding educator in EMDR, peers highlight her “compassionate, diligent” style and safe, skill-centered therapeutic environment 

Ideal Clients

She partners with high-functioning professionals, executives, athletes, student athletes, adolescents & adults, creatives, and families seeking meaningful change:

• Reclaiming balance post-trauma, burnout, or addiction
• Examining attachment dynamics and relationship patterns
• Exploring identity, including LGBTQ+ and non-monogamy considerations
• Healing family systems and generational wounds

 Ready to Prioritize Yourself?
Whether you’re seeking relief from trauma, clarity in life transitions, or empowerment in relationships, Dr. Attara offers a compassionate, expert-guided path to profound growth. 

Amelia Ortman, LPC, NCC, EMDR-Trained

Clinical Supervisor & Therapist, Grace & Healing Psychotherapy – Red Bank, NJ

Amelia is licensed in NJ with NY licensure pending.

Amelia Ortman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor whose clinical work is rooted in a trauma-informed perspective. She is passionate about helping both adolescents and adults move through the weight of distressing experiences toward resilience, confidence, and long-term healing. As an EMDR-trained clinician, Amelia brings advanced training in trauma resolution, using evidence-based practices to empower clients in rewriting painful narratives and finding freedom from the struggles that hold them back.

Amelia specializes in treating:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
   
• Phobias and anxiety-related concerns
   
• Complex trauma and PTSD
   
• Attachment wounds and relational difficulties
   

She works with adolescents, young adults, and adults who may feel stuck in cycles of fear, avoidance, or self-doubt. Amelia integrates EMDR therapy with cognitive-behavioral and attachment-based approaches, providing clients with a safe, structured space to face and resolve the experiences that continue to shape their daily lives.

Amelia is known for her warm, compassionate style and her ability to create a nonjudgmental space where clients can feel both supported and understood. She blends empathy with evidence-based techniques, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs and pace of healing.

Her work focuses on strengthening resilience, developing practical coping skills, and addressing the deep roots of emotional distress. By combining EMDR with trauma-informed practices, Amelia helps clients move beyond managing symptoms and instead build lasting emotional health and self-trust.

Amelia provides both individual therapy and opportunities for collaboration with families when needed. Services are available in-person at the Red Bank office and via secure telehealth for clients who prefer virtual care.

Her therapeutic services are designed for those seeking meaningful change—whether it’s addressing the impact of trauma, overcoming anxiety, or repairing the patterns of attachment that influence relationships.

• Adolescents and young adults navigating OCD, phobias, and anxiety
   
• Adults with a history of trauma or PTSD seeking to process unresolved experiences
   
• Individuals struggling with attachment wounds or relational patterns that create disconnection
   
• Clients ready to engage in EMDR therapy for trauma healing and emotional regulation
   
• Clients who value a compassionate, client-centered, and evidence-based approach
   

At Grace & Healing, Amelia provides therapy within a boutique, concierge-style model that emphasizes privacy, personalization, and an elevated care experience. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions, with flexible scheduling that includes morning, evening, and weekend options.
 

Payments are accepted via credit/debit card and HSA. While Grace & Healing is in-network with insurance providers such as Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, many clients prefer the private-pay model to ensure maximum privacy, continuity of care, and flexibility in scheduling.

This concierge framework allows Amelia to devote more focused attention to each client, ensuring a therapeutic experience that is both deeply personal and clinically effective.

What Clients Appreciate

Clients describe Amelia as deeply empathetic, approachable, and insightful. She is recognized for her ability to balance gentle support with practical strategies, creating a therapeutic space where clients feel safe enough to be vulnerable and strong enough to begin the work of transformation.

Licensed Associate Counselor

School Counselor Certified

Grace & Healing Psychotherapy – New Jersey (Virtual)

Meagan is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families across New Jersey. With experience in multiple levels of care—including detox, residential, and outpatient settings—she brings a grounded, compassionate, and trauma-informed perspective to her work at Grace & Healing Psychotherapy. Meagan is also a certified school counselor. She was a substance use counselor for several years before returning to her roots as a school counselor for the last 4 years. Using the skills she has developed in those settings she has decided to embark on a new journey with Grace and Healing to help in another capacity.

Meagan is dedicated to helping clients improve emotional wellness, build healthier relationships, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. Her clinical experience includes working extensively with adolescents, young adults, and individuals navigating substance use and addiction recovery.

Meagan supports clients experiencing:

• Anxiety disorders
   
• Depression
   
• Low self-esteem
   
• Emotional dysregulation
   
• Life transitions
   
• Substance use and addiction recovery
   

She works with:

• Children and adolescents (including at-risk youth and students with IEPs)
   
• Young adults
   
• Adults and families
   

Meagan’s approach is rooted in empathy, connection, and collaboration. She believes that meaningful healing begins with a genuine, trusting relationship between therapist and client. Her style is:

• Relational & collaborative: Clients are active partners in the therapeutic process.
   
• Structured yet flexible: Meagan helps clients identify goals while remaining adaptive to their evolving needs.
   
• Holistic & growth-oriented: Sessions integrate emotional awareness, patterns of behavior, and practical coping skills to promote long-term resilience.
   

Meagan supports clients who want to:

• Function better in daily life by improving decision-making and stress management
   
• Develop healthy and sustainable coping strategies
   
• Build self-awareness around thoughts, feelings, and patterns
   
• Improve relationships and strengthen communication and boundaries
   
• Focus on personal growth, overcome obstacles, and gain clarity about what they want for their future
   

• Individual therapy (telehealth)
   
• Family therapy
   
• Support for adolescents and young adults
   
• Counseling for clients navigating substance use and recovery
   

• Children, teens, and young adults seeking emotional regulation and coping skills
   
• Adults navigating anxiety, depression, or major life transitions
   
• Individuals seeking support with addiction recovery or relapse prevention
   
• Clients looking to deepen self-awareness and create meaningful personal growth
   

Shweta Jain, MSW, LCSW, LCADC

Therapist, Grace & Healing Psychotherapy – Red Bank, NJ

Shweta Jain is a dual-licensed therapist with credentials as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2017 and has been serving in the mental health field since 2013. With over a decade of experience across a range of settings—including long-term residential programs, drug court services, detox centers, and outpatient substance abuse facilities—Shweta now brings her expertise to private practice, offering individualized care for adults ages 18 and older.

Shweta specializes in supporting clients through:

• Substance use and addiction recovery
   
• Anxiety disorders
   
• Clinical and situational depression
   
• Self-esteem and identity challenges
   
• Life stressors and adjustment difficulties
   
• Trauma and trauma-related concerns
   
• Anger management and emotional regulation
   

Her years of facilitating both individual and group therapy allow her to create spaces where clients can build resilience, practice new coping skills, and explore deeper emotional healing.

Shweta’s approach is individualized, flexible, and collaborative. She views therapy as a partnership—working as a “we team” with her clients to address both immediate challenges and long-term goals. Drawing from a mix of behavioral, psychodynamic, and person-centered practices, she incorporates:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
   
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
   
• Solution-Focused Therapy
   
• Mindfulness-based practices

In sessions, clients can expect a blend of coping skill development, relapse prevention strategies, and deeper exploration of emotions and behaviors—all tailored through a thorough initial assessment to meet their unique needs.

• Individual psychotherapy for adults (18+)
   
• Group therapy based on client needs and themes
   

Sessions are available in-person at the Red Bank office or through secure telehealth for clients who prefer virtual care.

• Adults in recovery from addiction or substance use
   
• Clients struggling with anxiety, depression, or overwhelming stress
   
• Individuals coping with identity challenges, low self-esteem, or relationship issues
   
• Adults working through unresolved trauma or anger concerns
   
• Clients seeking a culturally attuned therapist who is flexible, collaborative, and approachable
   

At Grace & Healing, Shweta offers therapy within a boutique, concierge-style model that prioritizes privacy, personalization, and flexibility. Clients may choose between in-person or telehealth sessions, with options that include mornings, evenings, and weekends.
 

Grace & Healing accepts insurance. Many clients, however, choose private-pay to prioritize discretion, continuity of care, and scheduling flexibility.

This concierge model allows Shweta to provide a deeply personalized therapeutic experience that fosters both safety and meaningful progress.

With roots in India and fluent in both English and Hindi, Shweta brings a multicultural lens to her clinical work, offering therapy that is both inclusive and culturally responsive. Her lived experience enriches her ability to connect with clients navigating identity, belonging, and cultural complexities.

Clients describe Shweta as compassionate, understanding, and collaborative. She is appreciated for her ability to balance structure with flexibility, empowering clients to gain practical skills while also engaging in deeper emotional healing.

 Hello! My name is Zoë, I was recently trained in EMDR by an approved EMDRIA Trainer. This means I can provide EMDR to clients I have the privilege to work with. I am completing my Master’s in Social Work at Monmouth University with a concentration in clinical practice with families and children. I am currently interning with Grace and Healing as I grow my skills and experience under the support of my mentors and clients.

I chose this path because I am passionate about helping people through life’s challenges with empathy and support. Becoming a therapist feels natural to me, as it allows me to combine my skills and passions in service to others. I believe therapy is most effective when we can accept ourselves fully, recognize what strengthens us, and work collaboratively to create achievable steps toward change — all within a space where we feel safe, seen, and supported.

My approach is rooted in self-examination, collaboration, and empowerment, with the understanding that growth and healing matter more than striving for perfection. I value holistic perspectives that recognize the mind–body connection as well as the ways our environment shapes who we are and how we experience the world. I draw from evidence-based practices such as CBT, IFS, working to implement a trauma-informed lens, person-centered wellness, and mindfulness to guide my work.

Through my internship, I am building my clinical skills while learning directly from mentors and clients. It is an honor to be welcomed into someone’s healing journey, and I aim to provide the support needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

I am especially interested in serving adolescents, adults, trauma survivors, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people struggling with depression/anxiety, and people with ADHD and Autism. My prior professional experience includes working in care and support roles for individuals who are neurodivergent and/or have developmental disabilities.

I would be honored to be part of your healing journey at Grace and Healing, and support you through life's changes and challenges.