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Substance Abuse Counseling

A substance abuse counselor is a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders, and other behavioral issues. They teach individuals how to modify their behavior with the intention of full recovery. Because clients are susceptible to relapses, many substance abuse counselors work with clients on an ongoing basis.
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Other Duties Include

Meeting with Clients

To evaluate their health and substance problem

Identifying Issues

And create goals and treatment plans

Teaching Clients

Coping mechanisms

Helping Clients

Find jobs or reestablish their career

Leading

Group therapy sessions

Providing Updates

And progress reports to courts

Referring Clients

And create goals and treatment plans

Setting Up

Aftercare plans

Meetings

With family members and provide guidance and support

Meeting with Clients

To evaluate their health and substance problem

Identifying Issues

And create goals and treatment plans

Teaching Clients

Coping mechanisms

Helping Clients

Find jobs or reestablish their career

Leading

Group therapy sessions

Providing Updates

And progress reports to courts

Referring Clients

And create goals and treatment plans

Setting Up

Aftercare plans

Meetings

With family members and provide guidance and support

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Dr. Ranga Rao

Dr. Ranga Rao

Psychiatrist | Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Specialist

Dr. Ranga Rao is an experienced psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent mental health, serving as the lead provider for Child and Adolescent Services at New Beginnings Today in Albany, Georgia. He brings a strong clinical background in both hospital-based and public mental health settings, with a focus on delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to children, adolescents, and their families.
Dr. Rao provides psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, and medication management for a range of behavioral health conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and behavioral challenges. In his role, he is responsible for the medical oversight and clinical direction of youth services, ensuring that care is safe, structured, and aligned with best practices in behavioral health treatment.
His professional experience includes work with postgraduate (PGY) training programs in Brooklyn, New York, as well as service with the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health, where he supported the delivery of comprehensive mental health services across diverse communities.
Dr. Rao earned his medical degree from Sri Venkateswara Medical College in Tirupati, India. He is committed to improving access to quality mental health care and works collaboratively with families, therapists, and care teams to develop personalized treatment plans that support long-term emotional wellness and stability.
Known for his thoughtful and patient-centered approach, Dr. Rao helps young patients and their families navigate challenges with confidence, clarity, and care.

Patricia Rakestrau, M.S.

Patricia Rakestrau, M.S.

Office Manager | Behavioral Health Operations & Team Leadership

Patricia Rakestrau is a highly experienced Office Manager and behavioral health professional, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the mental health and human services field. Since joining New Beginnings Today in 2011, she has been a cornerstone of the organization’s operational leadership, staff development, and administrative excellence.
Patricia provides day-to-day leadership, supervision, and direction for clinical and administrative staff, ensuring that operations run efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of patient care, compliance, and organizational performance. Her leadership supports a culture of accountability, teamwork, and consistent service delivery, which is critical in delivering effective mental health and substance abuse services.
Her background includes extensive expertise in behavioral health operations, addiction counseling, staff management, and human services, allowing her to effectively bridge the gap between clinical care and administrative execution. Patricia is known for fostering strong team dynamics through clear communication, performance expectations, and recognition of outcomes, helping staff stay aligned and motivated.
Patricia holds an Associate’s degree in Education, a certificate in Addiction Counseling from Darton College, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Albany State University, and a Master of Science in Social Work and Human Services from Capella University.
Guided by her personal philosophy—“The quality of your communication is the quality of your life”—Patricia leads with clarity, intention, and a deep commitment to both team success and patient outcomes.

Juan Zermeno, M.A.

Fatima Zermeno, LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse | Mental Health & Patient Care Support

Fatima Zermeno is a dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) specializing in mental health and patient care, bringing a compassionate, patient-first approach to her role at New Beginnings Today. A graduate of Chamberlain University College of Nursing, Fatima entered the nursing profession with a clear purpose—to serve and support individuals on their path to healing.
In her role, Fatima provides direct nursing care to individuals with mental health and behavioral health challenges, supporting daily clinical needs through patient monitoring, medication support, and individualized care assistance. She works closely with the clinical team to ensure patients receive consistent, respectful, and high-quality care in a safe and supportive environment.
Known for her empathy and genuine connection with patients, Fatima helps create a welcoming, judgment-free space where individuals feel valued and understood. Her ability to build trust through daily interaction plays a vital role in supporting patient engagement and overall treatment success.
Driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, Fatima finds deep fulfillment in her work—bringing compassion, dedication, and a strong commitment to mental wellness and patient-centered care each day.

Juan Zermeno, M.A.

Juan Zermeno, M.A.

Program Director | Mental Health Counselor & Behavioral Health Leader

Juan Zermeno is a dedicated Program Director and mental health counselor with over five years of experience delivering high-quality care in both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings. He specializes in helping individuals navigate life’s complexities through compassionate, evidence-based mental health support.
Juan provides comprehensive behavioral health services, working with individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, and emotional distress. His approach is rooted in patient-centered care, consistency, and trust-building, creating a supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow.
As Program Director, Juan plays a key role in overseeing clinical program development, service delivery, and care coordination, ensuring that patients receive structured, effective, and outcomes-driven treatment. He is known for his patience, reliability, and commitment to each individual’s healing journey, helping clients build resilience and achieve meaningful progress.
Juan holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Argosy University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Louisiana State University, further advancing his expertise in mental health treatment and clinical leadership.
Driven by a deep belief in the healing power of human connection, Juan approaches each day with purpose—helping individuals move toward mental wellness, stability, and long-term personal growth.

Melissa Bing

Melissa Bing

Operations Manager | Healthcare Operations & Behavioral Health Leader

Melissa Bing is a seasoned Operations Manager in healthcare and behavioral health, bringing over 25 years of experience driving operational excellence, organizational growth, and community impact at New Beginnings Today.
In her role, Melissa leads the day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and business development efforts that keep the organization running efficiently and effectively. She oversees critical functions including budgeting, financial reporting, auditing, and regulatory compliance, ensuring that all programs meet the highest standards of performance and accountability.
Melissa’s expertise extends to healthcare operations management, regulatory and legal compliance, and process improvement, allowing her to navigate complex systems while maintaining a strong focus on quality care delivery. She has a proven track record of developing and executing strategies that improve business performance, optimize resources, and expand service capacity.
Known for her ability to align operations with mission, Melissa plays a key role in ensuring New Beginnings Today remains a trusted provider of mental health and substance abuse services in the communities it serves. Her leadership supports sustainable growth while strengthening the organization’s impact across diverse populations.
With a deep understanding of both the operational and human sides of healthcare, Melissa ensures that every system, process, and resource contributes to delivering consistent, high-quality, and community-centered care.

Nychelle Pascal

Nychelle Pascal

Quality Assurance Manager | Healthcare Compliance & Operations Leader

Nychelle Pascal is an experienced Quality Assurance Manager in healthcare with over 10 years of industry expertise and a decade-long commitment to excellence at New Beginnings Today. Since joining the organization in 2015, she has played a critical role in strengthening compliance, operational performance, and quality standards across clinical and administrative functions.
Nychelle specializes in healthcare compliance, policy and procedure development, quality improvement, and process optimization. She ensures that all programs align with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and best practices in behavioral health and patient care, helping the organization deliver safe, consistent, and high-quality services.
With a strong foundation in operations and process engineering, Nychelle identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall patient and provider experience. Her work directly supports the delivery of reliable, compliant, and outcomes-driven mental health and substance abuse services.
Driven by her personal philosophy—“If you want to be successful, be consistent”—Nychelle leads with discipline, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Her focus on consistency and excellence ensures that every patient interaction reflects the highest standards of care.

Mona Lisa Rogers

Nurse Mona Lisa Rogers, RN

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Nurse | Behavioral Health Specialist

Nurse Mona Lisa Rogers is a highly experienced Registered Nurse specializing in mental health and substance abuse treatment, with over 20 years of clinical experience across acute and behavioral healthcare settings. Her diverse background includes acute care, pediatrics, cardiac and telemetry nursing, home health, and behavioral health services, giving her a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care.
Currently focused on mental health and addiction recovery, Mona Lisa provides expert nursing assessments, medication management, and patient education to support individuals navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. She works collaboratively with physicians, therapists, and care teams to deliver coordinated, evidence-based behavioral health treatment that drives meaningful outcomes.
Mona Lisa is known for creating a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where patients feel respected and empowered. Her approach emphasizes compassionate care, clear communication, and individualized treatment planning, ensuring that each patient’s unique experiences and goals are fully understood and addressed.
By building strong, trust-based relationships, Mona Lisa helps patients stay engaged in their care, strengthen coping strategies, and move confidently toward long-term mental wellness and recovery.

Dr. Marcus Green

Dr. Marcus Green

Clinical Director

Dr. Marcus J. Green, Ed.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of New Beginnings Today, LLC, a behavioral health organization established in 2007 to provide comprehensive, whole-person care to individuals and families. He also serves as a Board Member of NAMI Georgia – National Alliance on Mental Illness Georgia.

For nearly two decades, Dr. Green has led efforts across Georgia to improve mental health outcomes through a combination of clinical care, community engagement, and supportive services. His approach goes beyond traditional treatment—focusing not only on diagnosis, but on understanding the full person, their environment, and the challenges they face.

Under his leadership, New Beginnings Today has grown into a multi-location practice with offices in Atlanta and Albany supported by a team of more than 60 professionals and a network of over 100 community partners. The organization serves more than 400 patients, delivering a broad range of services including individual and family counseling, psychiatric and psychological evaluations, case management, substance abuse treatment, and community-based support programs.
Dr. Green’s work is rooted in compassion, access, and impact—extending care into underserved and rural communities across the state of Georgia. Prior to founding New Beginnings Today, he served in various clinical roles throughout the Atlanta area and worked extensively with the homeless population.
He holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University, a Master’s degree from Troy University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Morris Brown College.