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4 April, 2024.

Family Counseling Center Welcomes New Staff Members

The Family Counseling Center of Fulton County has welcomed three new staff members to their team during the first quarter of 2024. The group joins an organization focused on building a healthy community through support, engagement, and empowerment, and includes the following individuals:

  • Emily Prawdzik, Mental Health Therapist
  • Rachel Van Avery, Senior Director of Behavioral Health

The new team members join a growing organization with deep roots in the community. Founded in 1976, The Family Counseling Center continues to be focused on helping individuals and families build better, healthier lives through the organization’s Behavioral Health Clinic, Children and Family Services Program, Domestic Violence Program and more. Programs and services offered by the agency address behavioral and mental health with the goal of personal empowerment and long-term success. In 2023, The Family Counseling Center worked with nearly 5,500 clients.

Rachel Van Avery joins The Family Counseling Center as its new Senior Director of Behavioral Health.

Rachel Van Avery has joined The Family Counseling Center’s leadership team in the newly developed role of Senior Director of Behavioral Health. This position will aid in preparing The Center’s organizational infrastructure as they prepare for future growth. The role oversees the Mental Health Clinic Director and new Substance Abuse Clinic Director. “Rachel’s 20 years of experience in healthcare provide us with a wealth of knowledge and expert perspective,” said Michael L. Countryman, Executive Director. Van Avery’s experience includes ten years with Bassett Medical Center along with management roles at Albany Medical Center.

“I am inspired by the entire agency and admire their dedication. We want to develop a place for our clients to come and obtain services without having to go elsewhere. This helps to break down barriers to care and ensure more engagement in treatment,” said Van Avery. “The urgency of addressing behavioral health services is undeniable and I am motivated to continue to cultivate the agency’s culture of care and adaptability in order to meet our community’s needs. I am elated to be a part of this process and pave the way to success for our agency.”

Van Avery will also play a vital role in the agency’s efforts to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC). CCBHCs are specially designated clinics across the country that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. CCBHCs serve anyone who walks through the door, regardless of their diagnosis and insurance status.

“We are excited to welcome all of our new team members to the Family Counseling Center. They are important, dedicated individuals who work tirelessly each and every day to help create positive change in the lives of our clients and our community,” added Countryman.