Debbie Atkins, MAC, LPC is Vice President of Growth at Carelon Behavioral Health. A licensed professional counselor with 30 years of front-line and executive experience, she blends deep clinical insight with nationally recognized crisis-system expertise.
At Carelon, Debbie leads business development and strategy, expanding crisis-care solutions in multiple states since she joined Carelon in 2022. Her public-sector tenure includes over seeing a 31-county behavioral health region and directing Georgia’s statewide crisis continuum, where she initiated the launch of the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and built data-driven frameworks that continues to guide service delivery.
Beginning her career in community-based agencies as a clinical director, clinical operations director and state director, Debbie has honed a leadership style that marries clinical acumen, fiscal savvy, and systems thinking. Today she is a sought-after advisor for states and health plans seeking to build compassionate, outcome-focused crisis services that help individuals achieve their best lives