MARCELL GARDNER SPATES, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a deep desire to help others. I once believed that calling would lead me into traditional medicine, but midway through my undergraduate journey, I realized my passion was no longer in the medical field. Through prayer—and a few well-timed, wise words from my grandmother—I found my true direction in the field of psychology. That decision led me to earn a graduate degree in school counseling and eventually become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

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My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s one marked by grace, growth, and purpose. I lost my mother to cancer when I was just nine years old and navigated much of life without the level of parental support I hoped for. Yet, through every loss, question, and hardship, God was equipping me. Each experience has shaped my heart for counseling and prepared me to walk with others through their own struggles.

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Today, I have the privilege of serving as a high school counselor, helping students grow academically, socially, emotionally, and in their career development. Outside of work, I’m a proud husband to my amazing wife, Sharika, for over 12 years, and a devoted father to our three wonderful children—Marcell Jr. (MJ), Sydney, and Matthew.

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My ultimate goal is to walk beside you as you face life’s challenges and help you move from a place of feeling stuck to a place of healing and hope. As one of my professors used to say, “Counselors help people get out of the place and feeling of stuckedness.”

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I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve through Freedom Path Counseling, and I look forward to the healing and transformation that can only come through Christ.

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“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” — Matthew 6:33

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Membership & Affiliations

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Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapist: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) #LPC014636