Leadership Staff

Richard McDonnell

Richard McDonnell has served as the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Center since 2006.  He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Seton Hall University.  Mr. McDonnell has been working in the human services field since 1975, specifically in the community behavioral health care system since 1981.  He has worked as a clinician, clinical supervisor, Director and Executive Director in both residential and community mental health center settings.

“To listen, to respect, to engage, to support, to empower; these are the essential elements in helping people to chart their recovery from mental health or substance use disorders.  Helping people to understand and gain insight into their problems, helping them to realize and utilize their innate strengths and abilities to achieve their goals in life; that is the essence of successful treatment.”

Bill Stover

Bill Stover is the Associate Executive Director of the Family Guidance Center of Warren County. He has been with the Center since 1995. Bill has a Master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven and a Master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. He is responsible for overseeing all the outpatient programs of the Family Guidance Center as well as the Prevention Connections program.

“If you change nothing, nothing will change”

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”.

Darrell Buckner

Darrell Buckner has been employed by the Family Guidance Center of Warren County since 2007. From 2007 to 2009, he served as Coordinator of the Intensive Family Support Services program. Since 2009, he has served as Coordinator of the Crisis Intervention Unit. Areas of responsibility include the Emergency Services/Screening Unit, the Family Crisis Intervention Unit, the Involuntary Outpatient Commitment Program, and the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Warren County.

Mr. Buckner has worked in the behavioral health and health care fields since 1987. He earned his Master’s degree in social work from the Rutgers School of Social Work (New Brunswick, NJ) in 1992 and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in psychology from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA).

Mr. Buckner is a Licensed Social Worker (State of New Jersey) and possesses the following certifications: Mental Health Screener (State of New Jersey), Graduate Business (Seton Hall University), Post-Traumatic Stress Management (Traumatic Loss Coalition of NJ) and Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention (Rutgers University)

Darrell lives in Warren County with his wife, two cats and a dog. His interests include: kayaking, photography, music and travel.

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.”

Barbara Collina

Barbara Collina is the Director of Finance and is responsible for the overall financial planning and budget development. Ms. Collina is responsible for the administration of budgets, fiscal analysis and planning, financial reporting and forecasting. Ms. Collina has over 34 years of finance and accounting experience.

Ms. Collina has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Rider University.

“I knew very little about the Family Guidance Center of Warren County before joining the staff. For 12 years serving the Center, I’m proud to be part of its passionate effort in helping the mental health community.”

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.”