How it Started
A Better Choice: Rise Up Counseling
A Better Choice: Rise Up was founded by Gemimah Kerner in 2007. After working for another company and providing counseling for over 15 years she wanted to make treatment easy and accessable for everyone, so she decided to start her own company. In 2008 she added another counselor Joany Rosales to the company and they are both passionate about helping the community and helping those who struggle with addiction, alcohol dependancy and more. Their goal is to make sure everyone who visits A Better Choice can leave different than when they came and leaves equiped to make a better choice for themseleves.
Meet Our Team
Gemimah Kerner MA, CADC
Gemimah Kerner MA, CADC
Gemimah Kerner MA, CADC
Executive Director
Gemimah is one of our counselors and has been a counselor for over 38 years. Originally from Cuba she moved to the United States in 1992 and has been passionate about helping her community with a focus on the hispanic community. She has an extensive background in substance abuse and family counseling and was featured in Cary magazine as one of the Women of Western Wake in 2015.
Joany Rosales CADC
Gemimah Kerner MA, CADC
Gemimah Kerner MA, CADC
Program Director
Joany is one of our counselors has been working as a counselor for over 17 years. He joined the team in 2008 and he specializes in substance abuse counseling. He is passionate about helping others and is currently in school for his masters degree in social work. When he is not in the office you can find him fishing, traveling with his family or watching a panthers game.
Robert Kerner CADC
Gemimah Kerner MA, CADC
Robert Kerner CADC
Counselor
Bob is one of our counselors and has been with us for a few years. He has a law degree from Wake Forest University and has 5 years of experience as a substance abuse counselor. In his free time he enjoys walking, golf, and reading.
Sarai Couch
Joe Hazel MDIV, LADC, CCS
Robert Kerner CADC
Office Manager and billing
Sarai recently joined the team as our office manager and billing coordinator but it feels like she has been with us forever. She has several years of experience and knowledge in managment and marketing as well as customer service. She is dedicated to making sure all of our clients have the best expereince with us.
Joe Hazel MDIV, LADC, CCS
Joe Hazel MDIV, LADC, CCS
Joe Hazel MDIV, LADC, CCS
Clinical Director