Offices & Staff of
Family Counseling Center
Meet our FCC Team
Counseling is a relationship process to help each individual and family heal through change. This involves more than just talking about problems or getting advice. Counseling is an effective way to help you adjust, heal and grow. Healing takes place as you talk about what is important to you with someone you can trust, who can help you plan and take steps toward adjusting. You will find it rewarding to meet with someone who is accepting, compassionate and determined to understand you. Unlike other relationships, your counselor is jointly focused on your needs, problems, and best interests.
Call 931.723.0380 during the below times to schedule an appointment at any office.
To accommodate the working individual counseling appointments are also available at times other than what is listed below.
Meet Our Staff
David Pate,
MRE
Executive Director & Founder
David is the founder and executive director of the Family Counseling Center. He has a BA in Music (with a minor in Psychology) and a Masters degree in Religious Education and Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Tulane University.
David sees individual, family, and marriage counseling clients in our Manchester and McMinnville Offices.
David frequently appears in the area courts to testify on behalf of children and families.
Susanne Blackwood,
MS, LPC-MHSP
Clinical Director
Suzanne Blackwood is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider. She received her Master of Science degree in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University. Suzanne serves as Clinical Director and Internship Supervisor for the Family Counseling Center and enjoys helping beginning counselors discover and reach their potential through their professional development. Suzanne also serves as public relations chair for the Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors and is an active member of the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselor Association.
A few years ago, she became heavily involved in client advocacy and now serves as co-chair for the Emergency Departments Committee of the Tennessee Diversion Coalition. Suzanne lives in Murfreesboro with her husband Scott.
Not currently taking new clients
Dionne Swink,
MA
Master's Level Pastoral Counselor
Dionne earned her master’s degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling for Colorado Theological Seminary and has experience working with marriage and family therapy. She has completed additional training to be a Certified Temperament Counselor and holds advanced degrees in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Integrated Marriage and Family Therapy.
Dionne takes a cognitive and faith-based approach to counseling. Dionne sees clients for marriage, family, and couples counseling in many of our offices.
Kevin Brown,
Ma
Master's Level Counselor
Kevin is a recent transplant from Virginia, where he graduated with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. While in Virginia, Kevin primarily worked in a residential substance abuse treatment center.
Kevin sees adolescents and adults for counseling in substance abuse/recovery, grief, depression, and anxiety especially with adolescents and young adults.
Tomasa Rosanna
Brito,
BS
Counseling Intern
Tomasa Rosanna Brito graduated from the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Middle Tennessee State University. She has lived in Murfreesboro for most of her life and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MTSU. Tomasa worked for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse for three and a half years.
She has served as a College Ministry leader and Young Adult Ministry leader for churches in the Nashville area and has led women’s groups for victims of domestic violence and women struggling as single parents. She is dedicated to serving God, her family, and the community with all that she has had the honor to receive.
Not currently taking new clients
Rod Shrader,
Ms
Pastoral Counselor
Rod started his career over 40 years and has a true passion for helping individuals, families, and marriages through counseling.
If you find yourself needing another pair of ears and an open heart to help you through difficulties, trauma, or daily life struggles. Rod would love to help you elevate the stress and become whole as an individual, in your marriage, or as a family.
Bryan Buchanan,
MDiv
Master's Level Counselor
Bryan is a native of Tennessee and has lived in Fayetteville with his wife and four children since 2010. Bryan, who has been married for 19 years.
Bryan studied at Liberty University, where he received a master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling. Bryan has also completed certifications in SYMBIS and Prepare-Enrich modules for premarital counseling.
Bryan’s favorite sayings are “You cannot have a marriage without fights, but you can have a marriage worth fighting for” and “What one says and hears is not always what we hear them say.” Bryan is seeing clients for both individual and couples therapy.
Amy Avey,
MEd
Counseling Intern
Amy joined the Family Counseling Center in the fall of 2020 as a counseling intern. In August of 2021, graduated from Lindsey Wilson College with a Master of Education in Counseling.
Amy enjoys working with families and children, particularly children with adverse childhood experiences. She currently sees clients at the Manchester and McMinnville offices.
Not currently taking new clients
Manchester Office
Serves Bedford, Moore, Franklin, & Lincoln Counties
McMinnville Office
Serves Cannon, White, & Putnum Counties
Shelbyville Office
Details Coming