Meet Dana Colthart—Therapist at Best Therapists

Dana Colthart, is a licensed therapist and the founder of Clear Light Therapy in Englewood, New Jersey. She specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and relationship concerns, providing both in-person and virtual therapy across New Jersey. Dana is trained in evidence-based modalities, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She takes a compassionate, skills-based approach to help clients break free from cycles of fear, avoidance, and self-criticism so they can live with greater freedom and authenticity. With extensive experience supporting adolescents and adults, Dana has developed a reputation for her ability to combine warmth and directness, making difficult therapeutic work feel safe and effective. She is especially passionate about working with individuals who feel misunderstood or misdiagnosed, helping them find clarity and confidence in their treatment journey. Dana is committed to reducing stigma around mental health and regularly creates psychoeducational content to make effective treatment more accessible. Her practice emphasizes self-compassion, harm reduction, and a nonjudgmental, inclusive approach that honors each client’s unique values and goals. Dana is dedicated to guiding clients toward meaningful change, resilience, and a life less dominated but OCD and eating disorders.

If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of fear, anxiety, or self-criticism, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep doing this on your own. I help people who are struggling with OCD and eating disorders finally find relief from the thoughts and behaviors that feel overwhelming and impossible to control. Living with OCD or an eating disorder can be exhausting. Maybe you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, battling intrusive thoughts, or feeling trapped in rituals that don’t give you peace. Maybe food, body image, or perfectionism consumes so much of your energy that it’s hard to enjoy life the way you want to. My role as your therapist is to give you both the tools and the support to break free from these patterns. In our work together, I use proven approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and CBT. These therapies are highly effective in helping you face fears, quiet the inner critic, and build a more fulfilling life that’s aligned with your values. What matters most to me is creating a space where you feel understood, supported, and challenged in the right ways. Therapy with me is compassionate but active—you’ll learn strategies you can practice in real life, not just talk about feelings in session.

Masters of Social Work | Fordham University, 2018