Helping people find healing and freedom

It’s no secret. Life can be difficult and challenging.

Did you know that…

• “The amount of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder increased from 36.4-41.5% between August 2020 and February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” *
• “34% of married men and women under age 55 reported that the pandemic has increased stress in their marriage.” *
• “31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, 13% reported having started or increased substance use, 26% reported stress-related symptoms, and 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days. These numbers are nearly double the rates we would have expected before the pandemic.” *

But thankfully, there are people and places who are passionate about helping people navigate life by giving them the mental, emotional and relational tools they need to be successful. People and places like Freedom Path Counseling and Chad and Heidi Potts and their team.

“At Freedom Path Counseling, we seek to serve those struggling in our community with a faith-based approach,” said Co-founder/Executive Director and Pastoral Counselor Chad Potts. “We’re a nonprofit Christian Counseling organization that employs Board Certified Pastoral Counselors and Professional Counselors with varying licenses to provide the best possible care for a variety of issues faced by today’s families.”

They’re also growing. They recently relocated from a four-room shared office to a private 2,000 square foot suite, thanks to the generosity of supporters – and they’ve added counselors and specialties.

“Our capacity for counseling services in the new office have increased from 690 to 1,250 per month. In addition, we have a dedicated training room to offer group counseling, counselor training and various community workshops,” Chad said. “ 12 months ago we had 5 counselors, 1 office manager and 1 intern. Now we have 9 counselors (with 2 more starting in October), 1 office manager, and 1 intern. One of the new staff counselors is a trauma specialist and another specializes in addiction.

Freedom Path Counseling is also one of our newest nonprofit fundholders, something they’ve wanted to become for a while.

“Our friend and mentor [and professional advisor] David Bearchell introduced us to the Community Foundation in 2016. Since that time, we’ve been blessed with countless introductions, incredible training opportunities, and the ability to join the vast number of local nonprofit organizations working to transform our community,” Chad said.

“Becoming a fundholder has been one of our goals since day one. We desire for the critical services provided at Freedom Path Counseling to not only expand, but to also secure long-term sustainability. This fund makes it possible for supporters to make legacy contributions, with the added benefit of expert financial management.”

For Chad and Heidi their goal for the fund encompasses three main things: the long-term sustainability Chad mentioned, strengthening community relationships and pursuing types of gifts previously inaccessible to an organization of their size.

“Over the past five years, we’ve seen the Community Foundation orchestrate, influence and lead efforts to help make Gwinnett County and the surrounding Northeast Georgia area a place that truly cares,” Chad said. “The Community Foundation’s deep roots in the nonprofit community, combined with its desire to connect generous donors with causes that matter has made a profound effect in the lives of individuals and families in need.

“If an organization wants to multiply their impact in service or support of the local community, becoming a fundholder is exactly what they need to accelerate their goals.”

*https://www.hcplive.com/view/cdc-mental-health-covid-19

*https://impakter.com/covid-19-impacts-on-marriage-and-divorce/

*https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

Who They Are
Freedom Path Counseling is a not-for-profit Christian Counseling organization. We seek to serve those struggling in our community with a faith-based approach to navigating life’s difficulties and challenges. We employ Board Certified Pastoral Counselors and Professional Counselors with varying licenses to provide the best possible care for a variety of issues faced by today’s families.

Why They Exist
At Freedom Path Counseling, we’re driven by a single goal; to help our clients experience healing in their lives. We believe healing opens the door to freedom from destructive behaviors, victory over life’s difficult circumstances, and the restoration of relationships. We exist to see transformation in the lives of hurting people. Through counseling, we join those struggling in the process of moving from frustration, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness to having a clear plan for creating a life characterized by inner joy and true peace.