Leadership Staff

Michele Eichorn

Michele M. Eichorn, Executive Director, joined the Family Guidance Center August 2018. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LCADC).

Ms. Eichorn received the 2015 Lester Z. Lieberman “Humanism in Healthcare Award” from the Healthcare Foundation of NJ and is featured in the Edge Magazine article entitled, “Now In My Backyard: Tales from the front lines of New Jersey’s heroin epidemic.”

Ms. Eichorn served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. She obtained her Masters Degree of Social Work (MSW) from Columbia University in 2004 and is currently attending the part-time Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree from Rutgers University. 

Akhtar Hossain, MD

Dr. Hossain has been a physician for over 27 years, he has graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree from prestigious Peoples Friendship University, Moscow, Russia. He did his Psychiatry residency in Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Bronx Lebanon Medical Center and completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry from University of Medicine and Dentistry Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He is a board certified psychiatrist and a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Hossain was the Medical Director of Behavioral Health services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset prior to joining the Family Guidance Center of Warren County as a Medical Director in April, 2015. He has been actively involved with patient care as well as supervising ten other physicians and nurse practitioners throughout the agency. He has been playing a vital role in improving the quality of care we provide here in the agency.

“Mental illnesses unfortunately still carry a huge stigma in our society, our goal is to reach out to everyone in the community who desperately needs our help”.

Annette Smith

Annette Smith has been employed by the Family Guidance Center since 2013. She currently is the Coordinator of the Crisis Intervention Unit. Her areas of responsibility include the Emergency Services/Screening Unit, the Family Crisis Intervention Unit (FCIU), the Involuntary Outpatient Commitment Program (IOC), and the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Warren County (TLC).

She earned her Master’s degree in counseling psychology from Centenary University and her Bachelor’s degree in political science from American University. Mrs. Smith is a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor.
Mrs. Smith also served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 2001.

“When I left the Marine Corps, I struggled to find a career that gave me the same feeling that I was helping to make the world a better place. I can honestly say, that every day at Family Guidance, I feel we are helping people change their lives and the community for the better. “

Barbara Lear

Barbara Lear, MA LPC ACS is a licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor who has been employed by the Family Guidance Center since 1984. As the Coordinator of Rehabilitative Services Barbara provides supervision to the Gateway Partial Care program, the Supported Employment Program, and the Quality Commercial Cleaning crew business. In addition she acts as a consultant to the Better Future Self-help Center. Over the years she has been involved in numerous committees, and boards representing and advocating for the needs of those with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders and their families.

“Never give up on someone with a mental illness. When “I” is replaced by “We”, Illness becomes Wellness.”

Dana E. Deacon

Ms. Deacon, Director of Administrative Services, began employment with Family Guidance Center in 1996 as a Receptionist and Secretary in the Phillipsburg office site.  On her journey to Director of Administrative Services Ms. Deacon held several administrative support positions including Administrative Assistant, Accounting Clerk and Supervisor of Administrative Services.  Ms. Deacon received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Salisbury University.  The responsibilities of the Director of Administrative Services include direct management of facilities, computer network, electronic health record system, corporate compliance and administrative support staff; administration of human resources and benefits, commercial and medical insurance policies; and staff liaison to the Board of Trustees.  This position is also responsible for the oversight of front desk, billing, information management and secretarial support operations.

“As an adolescent and young adult I had envisioned a career in public service.  I now know the public I was meant to serve are those who face the challenges presented by emotional distress, mental illness and substance abuse disorders.  I have personally seen consumers with mental illness live full lives and those with substance abuse disorders prevail over their addiction.”

Laurie Boehm

Laurie Boehm, Director of Program Services, received her MSW from Rutgers School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor and has worked in the behavioral health field since 1976. She has worked at the Family Guidance Center since 1990 as the Director of Program Services where she is responsible for overseeing crisis intervention services, rehabilitative services and family support services. Ms. Boehm is also the Center’s Privacy Officer and is responsible for the implementation of all Quality Assurance activities at the Center. Over the years, Ms. Boehm has served on numerous State- and County-wide Committees, Task Forces and Work Groups focusing on developing and improving behavioral health services for consumers and their families.

“At the Family Guidance Center, we’re helping people make positive changes to improve their lives. We believe “Although no one can go back and make a new beginning, anyone can start over and make a new future.”

Jeffrey Greenfield

Jeffrey Greenfield, MSW, LCSW is Director of the School Based Youth Services Programs.

Jeff joined the Family Guidance Center of Warren County in April of 2013 as Director of the School Based Youth Services Programs (SBYSP) at the Warren Hills Regional School District (WHRSD). He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in psychology at Rutgers University in 1993 and his Master of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995. Jeff started his professional career in Seattle, WA working in a supportive housing program for chronically mentally ill homeless adults. He returned to New Jersey and worked twelve years with Family Intervention Services’ Kid Connection program which delivers in-home therapeutic and case management services to youth and families involved with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly DYFS).

Jeff now provides clinical supervision, leadership and managerial oversight of the SBYSP at the middle school and high school of WHRSD, and administrative support to FGC’s After School Programs at the Washington Borough Schools. He is delighted to lead the fine staff of SBYSP and declares:

“School Based is that program everyone wishes they had in their school. It features a staff of patient, caring adults promoting the resiliency and wellness of youth in the throes of adolescence (and even more acute challenges) and gives students a safe place to connect, to relax and to give and receive much appreciated support.”