Meet Our Team

Susan DeAraujo Benedek, L.A.c., MAOM, R.N.

Founder of Be Well Holistic Center,
Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, & Registered Nurse

Susan DeAraujo Benedek is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and registered nurse. She opened the Be Well Holistic Center with a vision to provide the Southeastern Massachusetts community with a comfortable healing space for Oriental/alternative Medicine and integrative therapies, which, with other practitioners, has now grown to include: mental health counseling, nutritional and dietary counseling, therapeutic massage, and energy healing. Originally trained in Western Medicine as a Registered Nurse, Susan began studying Easxtern Medicine when she found it personally effective for a variety of different health concerns for her and her young family that allowed her to take a more pro-active approach and avoid allopathic medicines and unnecessary procedures. She has embraced the concepts that allow health and wellness care, by natural means, to tap into individual’s ability to heal and she brings that healing to her patients.

Susan received her Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture in 2004 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth in 1981. She also attended the Master’s Degree Program of Holistic Counseling at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.

Susan is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine for Acupuncture and has practiced acupuncture, full time, for 20 years (2004-2024)  She is a currently licensed Registered Nurse (1981-2024) with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and worked for 14 years @ a variety of local hospitals, bringing that clinical experience to her acupuncture practice.  As an RN she worked extensively in the care of adult patients in the ER, ICU/CCU, respiratory care,  and general medical/surgical units.   She was certified in Auricular Acupuncture by the Auriculotherapy Institute and she is a current Diplomate of Acupuncture, certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental medicine (NCCAOM). 

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Bridget Hennessey, MA, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Bridget B. Hennessey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Bridget founded Westport Counseling Associates in fall 2023. Before founding Westport Counseling Associates, Bridget worked for the Justice Resource Institute (JRI) as a Program Director for a clinical program helping latency aged children and their families who struggled with maladaptive behaviors and acute mental health disorders. Additional experience includes having worked at a therapeutic respite program for adult aged individuals transitioning back into society after a long term stay in a hospital or prison setting. Bridget also worked on a community college campus providing therapy to adult aged students presenting with a wide range of mental health obstacles.

Bridget received her Master’s Degree from William James College and her Bachelor’s Degree from Quinnipiac University.

Bridget is passionate about bringing mindful awareness and therapeutic psychoeducation to the clients and families she works with. She hopes to bridge the connection between mind-body health and wellness. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic and includes a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,  Somatic Therapy, Ecotherapy, Mindfulness and Animal-Assisted Therapy. 

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Laura Girard, MSW, LICSW, PMH-C

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Laura Girard is an Independently Licensed Social Worker (LICSW) who is certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and the owner of Coastal Calm Therapy. 

She has spent the last 10 years working in fast paced hospital settings with men and women of all ages with a variety of needs. She most recently worked with women navigating motherhood, grief and loss, substance use and mental health challenges as a maternity social worker in a local maternity unit. Prior to this, she worked as a medical social worker in the emergency room (during COVID!) at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital where she focused on trauma and crisis intervention therapy. Laura also provided individual and group therapy to patients and families at Emerson Hospital’s inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse unit.

Laura is passionate about working with women navigating life transitions in an ongoing therapy setting. Laura recently became certified in sound healing and is a yoga enthusiast. She is passionate about holistic health and the connection between mind and body. Laura hopes to help her clients embody confidence with a self-paced, goal-oriented approach embedded with a holistic mindset. She looks forward to working alongside like minded practitioners at Be Well Holistic Center!

Laura received her Masters Degree at Simmons School Of Social Work and her Bachelors Degree at Lesley University.

You can find more information about Laura on her website at: CoastalCalmtherapy.com. 

Carly Denardis, MA, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Carly Denardis is a dedicated Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, Carly brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her practice, helping individuals and couples navigate through their mental health challenges.

Carly obtained her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from William James College and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of New Haven, where she developed a strong foundation in therapeutic techniques and counseling practices. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a specialized therapy proven effective in treating trauma and related disorders.

Carly has worked with adults, teenagers, and couples, tailoring her therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. Her approach is integrative, drawing from cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness and somatic practices, and trauma focused principles to foster healing and personal growth.

In her practice, Carly creates a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions, gain insight into their patterns, and develop coping strategies. 

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Sarah DeCosta, MS, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Sarah DeCosta is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and owner of her own private practice.  Sarah has worked in the death, dying and grief field for nearly a decade and has supported children, teens, adults and elderly folks on their caregiving and grief journey.  She also has experience treating depression, anxiety, stress and trauma and works with individuals, families and couples.  During her time in hospice work, she led many groups, remembrance ceremonies, and directed a children's grief support camp in addition to seeing individual clients.  

Sarah earned her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rhode Island College and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Sarah is dedicated to supporting the clients and families she works with through her Person-Centered approach.  She also provides a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, MIndfulness, Existential Therapy, and others.  Sarah is passionate about providing a holistic approach of mind-body connection and has special interest in how chronic stress impacts the body. 

 Sarah is thrilled to join the team at the Be Well Holistic Center as of November 2024!

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Katlynn Kisla, MS, RD, LDN

Registered Dietitian

Katlynn Kisla is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Massachusetts Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist.

Through personalized nutrition interventions, she helps clients build foundational knowledge, form healthy relationships with food/exercise, and evokes habits that nourish the whole self. Her practice uses motivational interviewing, mindfulness techniques, promoting awareness of body hunger cues, and practical lifestyle adjustments. She can support clients manage nutrition-related medical conditions, improve their training results, and foster overall balanced living.

Katlynn has a particular passion for perinatal nutrition- encompassing stages from preconception to lactation- to optimize nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, and overall health for mothers and their families.

Her background in community nutrition and public health spans roles from Cape Cod to Rhode Island, serving diverse populations through programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Coastline Elderly and Meals on Wheels, and the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program. As an Adjunct Instructor at Johnson and Wales University, she educates future culinary professionals on the fundamentals of nutrition. Katlynn holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Dietetics. Professionally trained in a transitional science, she recognizes the importance of staying at the forefront of nutritional science to provide evidence-based recommendations.

With a strong commitment to sustainability, Katlynn often integrates sustainable nutrition practices and advocates for an equitable food system benefiting individuals, communities, and our local environment.

In 2024, Katlynn founded Crua Nutrition LLC to expand nutrition strategies and services available to communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. That is also when she joined Be Well Holistic Center to promote holistic health alongside like-minded wellness practitioners.

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Alma Montanez, LMT

Licensed Massage Therapist

Working as a massage therapist for the past 21 years has been rewarding.  The capability to assist individuals in a drug-free environment, has given me a purpose to continue learning how to best help individuals. 

I learned about massage and its benefits as a child from my grandmother.  As a young adult, I did long-distance cycling.  I joined a bicycle club whereas, I was the only female on the team.  It was then that the coach taught me how to massage, stretch, and relax my teammates before, during, and after races. 

Today, using the modalities of Swedish, acupressure, myofascial release, deep tissue, and other hands-on approaches, I’ve developed a custom protocol to assist individuals with fast results.  I’ve become exclusively sought after for therapeutic massages by professionals in my field.

It would be my pleasure to meet with you and discover if the skills I offer can benefit you. 

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Franny McGarry, LMT

Licensed Massage Therapist

Franny specializes in reiki and healing energy.

By appointment only.

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Meghan Toromino, LMT

Licensed Massage Therapist

Providing spa services and overall wellness in a therapeutic setting.

By appointment only: Sundays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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