About Us >  Mission   Philosophy   History   Staff   Board of Directors  

 

Mission

Human development is ever changing. Genesis Centers is a nonprofit organization that believes in the possibility of growth and transformation for every individual. It is our mission to provide the therapeutic support, care and education to aid people in reaching their goals while they manage the symptoms of mental illness or strive to overcome the destructive effects of chemical addiction.

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Philosophy

Genesis Centers offer therapeutic counseling for recovery from addictions and for mental health concerns. This centers around our centers' core beliefs that:
Fulfillment occurs through a process of making positive changes in a caring environment, with the support of qualified highly motivated and empathic counselors.
Treatment often involves the entire family.
Recovery from addictions can occur with the help of constructive techniques intended to promote abstinence from substance use.
An individual can be empowered to confidently manage difficult feelings and emotions.
Mental health problems can be addressed through group, family and individual counseling, education, and peer support.

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History

Established in 1979 by its current Executive Director Gabriel L. Guerrieri, Genesis Counseling Center, a non profit organization, has earned a reputation in Southern New Jersey as one of the finest Mental Health and Addictions treatment centers in the area

The "genesis" of Genesis was Gabe 's conviction to provide high quality and innovative mental health and addictions counseling to people in a caring way, and within their financial means. With this singular guiding ideal, Genesis has evolved from a grassroots organization offering limited mental health services in a second floor walk up, to a comprehensive human services agency offering over two dozen mental health and addictions programs to hundreds of individuals across Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

Genesis, which opened its door with only one counselor, now consists of over 40 well trained and highly educated program staff members, including masters level therapists, licensed social workers, certified addictions counselors and a licensed psychiatrist.

Today, many children, adolescents, adults, families and seniors receive caring comprehensive treatment through the various innovative programs run by Genesis. As a counseling center that believes a community is only as healthy as the individuals in it, Genesis has stepped to the forefront, offering unique programs like the Student Assistance Program (now in more than 20 schools in four counties), the Collingswood Sunrise Program, the counseling program at the Camden County Correctional Facility, the OakWood Program in Oaklyn and Woodlynne, the Comprehensive Adjustment Program in Camden for adolescents on parole from Jamesburg Prison, and the nationally recognized Camden County Adolescent and Adult Drug Court Programs.

There's no mistaking that the world at large and Collingswood, NJ have changed tremendously in the past 28 years. Genesis Counseling Center has always prided itself on being there to assist with that change and to provide avenues for individuals to grow within this evolving world. In the future, look for Genesis Counseling Center to develop more distinctive programs and services in our never ending mission to provide that high quality care and support originally envisioned by Gabe Guerrieri.

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Staff Biographies

Gabe Guerrieri, Executive Director

Gabe Guerrieri M.Div., M.Ed., M.A.C., L.P.C.,., began Genesis Counseling Center over 28 years ago with a vision to provide quality, inventive and caring mental health and addictions counseling to those who need it, regardless of their economic status or ability to pay. Gabe graduated from St. Vincents College and Theological school in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1963 with a BA in Philosophy and in 1967 a M. Div. in Theological Studies.

Gabe also graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1972 with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. Gabe served as a guidance counselor at Camden Catholic High School, in Cherry Hill, for five years. He then moved to Houlton Maine, and worked as a counselor at the Aroostook County Mental Health Center for three years. Gabe then served as Associate Professor of Psychology and Dean of Students at Ricker College, before moving back to New Jersey.

Upon moving back to New Jersey Gabe served as the Director of Alcoholism at Achievement through Counseling and Treatment (ACT) in Philadelphia before becoming The Director of the Comprehensive Alcoholism Program at the James C. Giuffre Medical Center, also based in Philadelphia.

In 1979, after seeing a need for change, and wanting to help those in the community, Gabe founded Genesis Counseling Center. At that time is was a one room walk-up office on Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey and over 25 years Genesis has expanded to two locations, and a much larger space, but still remains in Collingswood, New Jersey.

Barry Bailey, Director of Camden Initiative/PR Coordinator

Barry graduated from Madison University with a BS in Chemical Depedency Counseling. Barry has worked in the counseling field for over 20 years and specializes in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment. Barry joined Genesis in 1987 and has worked as a Student Assistance Counselor, Adolescent IOP Counselor, and CAP Program Director a program of which he was in charge of creating several years ago.

Barry has worked in the parenting group for the Adolescent IOP Program for many years and is responsible for developing the AdolescentIOP Program to the high standards it meets today. Barry is now in charge of the Program Expansion in Camden and public relations, as well as overseeing some aspects of the Corridor Program. He also remains in the Adolescent IOP Program and oversees the CAP Program as well.

Kevin Gregan, Director of Clinical Operations

Kevin graduated from Antioch University with Masters Degree in Educational Counseling. Kevin has worked in the counseling field for over 30 years and specializes in Adult Substance Abuse Treatment. Kevin joined Genesis in 1996 as a therapist and in 2003 was made Director of Clinical Operations. Kevin has helped to develop new programming such as the IDRC treatment, Adult IOP treatment in both Camden and Collingswood, and the Adult OP treatment programs in Collingswood.

Charles Short,
Director of Community Prevention and Education

William Weiley, Vice President of Finance

William graduated from Glassboro State College with his MA in1971. Bill joined Genesis in 2005 and has worked as both HR Coordinator and in Public Relations. Bill has worked in the educational field as guidance counselor for over 16 years and worked as controller of a transportation company for over seventeen years.

Lyne Purul, Human Resources Coordinator

Karen Vernon, Office Manager


James Jackson, Director of Addictions

James has worked in the Addictions field for over 20 years and has a LCADC from NJ Department of Health. He is also a certified HIV counselor. James joined Genesis in 2003 as a therapist for the Adult IOP program in Camden and a therapist in the Jail Second Chance Program. In 2004 James was promoted to Addictions Coordinator for the Camden programming and has been responsible for helping to develop this program to the high standards it achieves today. Now, in 2006, James has become Addictions Supervisor.

Scot Ailes, Mental Health Supervisor

Scot graduated from The University of Michigan with a Masters in Social Work. Scot has had over 25 years experience in the counseling field and specializes in Mental Health services. Scot joined Genesis in 1990 as a Mental Health Therapist. In 1993 Scot became Clinical Director and then in 2003 became Mental Health Supervisor. Scot has been responsible for guiding Genesis in obtaining Mental Health Licensure through the State of New Jersey. Scot has also ensured that Genesis maintains a high standard of Clinical Excellence, through Quality Assurance, and licensure standards.

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Board of Directors

Tony Messina (Chariperson)
Salvatore Siciliano, Esq. (Vice Chair)
Terry DiMedio(Secretary)
Trish O'Callaghan (Tresurer)
Christopher Feery
Tony Mahon II
Dr. Robert Stagliano
Wendy Morze
Bryant Cyrus Jr.
David Johnson
Yvonne Schultes Riley

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