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About Our Practice
Our Dedicated Staff
New Jersey's premiere intensive mental health program specialists — board-certified psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed counselors, and social workers, united around one goal: helping you build a life worth living.
Who We Are
An elite team,
built around you
We offer unmatched mental health counseling services that can give you the tools and support to heal from, and handle, different mental health concerns. At Innerspace Counseling in Old Bridge, we take an interdisciplinary approach by using individualized treatment planning for each client, which creates personalized care tailored specifically toward their needs.
Our facility is equipped with ample parking and space for our guests, as well as different suites and settings for the myriad of patients and situations we encounter. Keep reading to see how our therapists bring their personalities to the space while maintaining the healing environment found throughout the office.
Leadership
Clinical Leadership
The team guiding the vision, the standard of care, and the programs behind every client's journey.
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Founder / CEO
Ajita Shah
LPC, NCC, ACS, PMH-C
Ajita has been dedicated to creating and enhancing mental health and counseling programs across New Jersey for two decades. Her commitment to high-quality care led her to open Innerspace Counseling in 2014, creating an environment where clients feel safe, empowered, and heard.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor, she has treated clients from age 8 through adulthood using a behavioral and trauma-informed approach, and as a certified perinatal mental health provider she promotes awareness, prevention, and treatment of perinatal mood disorders.
2016, 2017 & 2020 Best of Old Bridge Award in Mental Health Counseling · 2017 Women of Distinction Award Recipient
Medical Director
Elizabeth Lobel
MD
Dr. Lobel is a double board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist with over a decade of experience across private practice, hospitals, community health centers, and telepsychiatry settings, as well as additional training in early childhood and perinatal mental health.
She takes a collaborative, personalized approach — often recommending cognitive strategies, behavioral techniques, and mentalization alongside or instead of medication.
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Director of Clinical Services
Ira Hays
LCSW
Ira oversees our evidence-based programs, trained in Exposure Response and Prevention (ERP) with a specialty in school attendance concerns and anxiety-related conditions including OCD, emetophobia, and agoraphobia.
A frequent keynote speaker, he also serves as Clinical Advisor to BIA, a technology platform delivering attendance and anxiety protocols to schools, offices, and homes.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Gloria Akunna
DNP, PMHNP-BC, APN
Dr. Akunna is a doctorate-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience across the lifespan in inpatient, outpatient, PHP, and IOP settings.
Her holistic, patient-centered approach focuses on depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, ODD, and psychotic disorders.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Ololade Ekwere
PhD, APN, PMH-C
Dr. Lola has practiced for over 12 years across healthcare settings, beginning as an ICU nurse before pursuing further training in psychiatric and mental health care.
She treats anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, and sleep disorders, working collaboratively with each patient using evidence-based guidelines.
Program Manager
Stuart Luther
MS, LPC, NCC
Stuart Luther oversees Innerspace Counseling’s adolescent and adult IOP and Partial Care Programs, bringing expertise in DBT, ERP, ACT, and trauma-informed care.
Previously with Rutgers University, he supported statewide school mental health initiatives and continues to advance youth mental health advocacy in New Jersey.
Our Clinicians
Primary Therapists
The licensed counselors and social workers who walk alongside clients day to day.
Primary Therapist
Britney Cantel
MS, LAC, NCC
Works with children, teens, and adults using person-centered, CBT, and DBT approaches, building an inclusive space grounded in empathy and unconditional positive regard.
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Primary Therapist
Lia Legregin
MA, LAC, R-DMT, NCC
Brings a Dance/Movement Therapy concentration alongside Person-Centered, CBT, and DBT approaches, with experience across inpatient, PHP, and IOP settings.
Primary Therapist
Jacqueline Koren
LAC, NCC
Draws from CBT, DBT, Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, and Strength-Based approaches, integrating mindfulness to help clients stay grounded and engaged.
Primary Therapist
Benjamin Yavelberg
LSW
Focused on trauma and complex family systems, using a strengths-based approach with CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and DBT.
Primary Therapist
Kayla Kelly
MA, LAC, NCC
Licensed Associate Counselor experienced in PHP and IOP settings who uses CBT, DBT, ACT, and person-centered approaches to help adolescents and adults build resilience, healthy coping skills, and lasting change.
Primary Therapist
Kelly Litterer
LAC, NCC
Licensed Associate Counselor experienced in PHP and IOP settings who uses ACT, DBT, and person-centered approaches to help children, teens, and adults build coping skills and create meaningful change.
Primary Therapist
Maria Voskoboynikova
LSW
icensed Social Worker experienced in IOP and PHP settings who uses DBT, CBT, ACT, and person-centered approaches to support children, teens, and adults in achieving positive change and healing.
Our Clinicians
Per Diem Therapists
Specialists who lead groups and bring additional depth to our IOP and PHP programs.
Per Diem Therapist
Anthony Zazzarino
PhD, LPC, ACS, CPRP
A per-diem group therapist since 2016 and Assistant Professor at Rutgers University, presenting nationally on multiculturalism, psychiatric rehabilitation, and supervision practices.
Per Diem Therapist
Grace Montes
MA, LPC, NCC, ACS
In the field since 2007, leading IOP and PHP groups with a focus on empowering high-achieving women through anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
Per Diem Therapist
Mariette Marino
MA, LAC, R-DMT, NCC
An eclectic, person-centered humanistic approach blending CBT, DBT, and Dance/Movement Therapy across PHP and IOP settings.
Per Diem Therapist
Dominique McGrath
MS, LAC, NCC
A Licensed Associate Counselor and National Certified Counselor, she uses person-centered, trauma-informed, and creative approaches to support clients navigating mental health, substance use, and recovery.
Per Diem Therapist
Danielle Rizzo
MA, LAC
An experienced individual and group counselor, she uses CBT, DBT, and humanistic approaches to help clients build coping skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and lasting positive change.
PER DIEM GROUP THERAPIST
Tamara Casseus
MSW, LSW
A Licensed Social Worker with 15+ years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families, Tamara uses strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches to build coping skills, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
PER DIEM GROUP THERAPIST
Caitlin Regan
LPC, LMHC
Licensed in NJ and FL with 15+ years of counseling and teaching experience, Caitlin is a certified Accelerated Resolution Therapy therapist and trauma specialist focused on mental health, addiction, advocacy, and empowering individuals and families.
Behind the Scenes
Program Development
Building the systems and partnerships that strengthen care across our community.
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Director of Program Development & Quality Assurance
Melissa Maranzano
MA
With 20 years in nonprofit and mental health, Melissa trains professionals and community members, using program planning and a trauma-informed lens to build protective factors in homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
Caring and empowering
by design
Every clinician at Innerspace shares the same foundation: empirically based treatment, genuine compassion, and a belief that education, training, and proper supervision are key to the highest quality of care — for every client, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
In a mental health crisis right now? Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in case of emergency. For non-urgent screening, the form below or 732-332-8270 are the right starting points.
Take the First Step
Ready to meet
your team?
A free 15-minute screening with our intake team is a low-stakes way to find the right clinician and the right level of care for you or your family.
Phone line open 24/7 — call any time
One business day response from a licensed clinician
Or call us directly: 732-332-8270
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