Manna Fund

The Missing Piece in Eating Disorder Recovery

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Genie Burnett, Psy.D, CEDS-S; CEO and Clinical Director

Dr. Burnett has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 1999. She is the founder of Manna Treatment & Counseling, PC and Manna Scholarship Fund, Inc, both of which began in January 2006. She obtained her Doctorate Degree in Psychology from Argosy University in Atlanta. Since graduation, Dr. Burnett has specialized in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults suffering from eating disorders. Dr. Burnett has provided individual, family, and group therapy at two previous private practice settings, the Christian Psychological Center in Memphis, Tennessee and at AlphaCare Therapy Resources in Atlanta. She has provided services at every level of care (inpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, mental health center).

Utilizing a multifaceted approach in her treatment style, Dr. Burnett focuses on uncovering and healing emotional pain and/or trauma that typically underlies eating disorders or other psychological problems. She believes that treatment from eating disorders involves a multi-faceted approach, including processing the dynamics of family interactions, individual therapy, and group interaction. Individual therapy with Dr. Burnett involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) approaches. EMDR is a specialized treatment approach specifically designed to help individuals process traumatic episodes from their past. Dr. Burnett also specializes in the treatment of other acting-out behaviors that often begin in adolescence, including self-mutilation, sexual acting out, and other addictive behaviors.

In 2014, Dr. Burnett obtained her CEDS, the national Certified Eating Disorders Specialist designation. In 2016, she obtained the credentialing to be a supervisor for those undergoing training for their CEDS designation.

Jania Bailey, MS, Executive Director & Intensively Trained DBT Therapist

Jania is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She has decades of experience in taking care of people. She has worked with adolescents in recreational therapy, adults in a therapeutic nursing environment, and the geriatric population and their families in adult care. Gifted with her validating and encouraging manner, Jania is able to teach and help some of the most distressed of patients. Most weekends, you will find Jania out on the ball field cheering on her son’s soccer team.

 

Aleema Zakers, MD, Medical Director

Dr. Zakers joined Manna in October 2019. She is our PHP Medical Director and is supervising our APRNs, who provide direct care of program and non-program clients. Dr. Zakers has experience in working with Children, Adolescents, and Adults.

 

Barbara Luttrell, MSN, APRN, CNSPMH, BCBarbara Luttrell, MSN, APRN, CNSPMH, BC, IOP Medical Director

Mrs. Luttrell is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatry and Mental Health. She is Board Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Association. After many years of employment as a registered nurse, she earned a Masters Degree in Nursing from Georgia State University in 2004. She held the position of President of the American Psychiatric Nursing Association in 2006 and currently is a member of the Metro Atlanta Advanced Practice Nursing Group.  Mrs. Luttrell brings eight years of practice experience in the treatment of mood disorders and research.  At the Atlanta VA she was involved in treatment with patients experiencing a diagnosis of PTSD.  She is trained in therapeutic approaches such as:  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), and Spiritual counseling. Her treatment philosophy is holistic. The conceptual framework being that a person is body, soul, and Spirit. (Physical, Mental/Emotional, and Spirit). She provides psychiatric evaluations with medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, public speaking, and case management consultation services.

 

Farah Rahim, PMHNP

Farah Rahim attended Emory University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her enthusiasm for mental health awareness and empowerment led her to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing at Georgia State University. Farah is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Farah has over six years of nursing experience at Peachford Hospital, an inpatient psychiatric hospital dedicated toward crisis stabilization of children, adolescents, adults and older adults with a wide variety of mental health issues. She currently also serves as a mental health clinical instructor at Georgia State University. As a PMHNP, Farah uses a body-mind-spirit approach when working with adolescents and adults who are struggling with mental health issues. In her practice, she emphasizes sleep, nutrition, physical exercise, social engagement, thoughts/beliefs, mindfulness and the client’s sense of purpose. From brief psychotherapy to medication management, Farah assists her clients in finding tools that help them to feel empowered by their healing. provides her clients the tools that work best for them to feel empowered by their healing.

Emily Sessions, LCSW, Clinical Co-Director, Internship Program Director

Emily brings a deep passion and diverse knowledge to help clients access resources for health, healing, and rejuvenation. She provides individual, marriage and family counseling, as well as play therapy for children and adolescents. Emily specializes in guiding clients through healing from trauma and managing mood & eating disorders. She utilizes a number of strength-based methods and skills-based approaches in her work including CBT, ACT, DBT, and mindfulness. Credentials: Master’s Degree, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

 

Erin Schulberg, MS, RD, LD;
Adult Program Director; Clinic Dietitian

Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in Nutrition and Dietetics. She interned with OSU in the Portland, Oregon area working with clients struggling with eating disorders as well as various other disease states. Erin practices from a Health At Every Size, non-diet perspective and aims to help clients heal their relationship with food and with themselves. She empowers and challenges clients to change behaviors in a sustainable way. Erin has been in Georgia since July of 2018 and thinks that it already feels like home!

 

Kelly Conlon, LAPC; CARF LiaisonKelly Conlon, LAPC

Kelly received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood and Family Development from the University of Georgia.  Kelly was one of two students in her graduate program selected by her professors to intern at the Pepperdine Counseling Center to work with college students and/or provide spiritual counseling. After graduating and moving back to Georgia, Kelly gained experience working in mental health hospitals, outpatient substance abuse treatment centers, and residential eating disorder treatment centers prior to joining the Manna team.

Kelly is passionate about working with adolescents and young adults struggling with eating disorders, in addition to working with co-occurring problems such as: anxiety, mood, OCD, self-esteem, body image, and family dynamics. Kelly uses various therapy styles tailored to each client’s needs. She focuses on meeting the client where they are, yet gives them the push needed to learn they are worthy of feeling empowered and confident to take on life’s challenges.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring, hiking, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her friends, family, and fur-children.

 

Kelsey Sander, LMSW

Kelsey received her Masters of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Furman University. During college, Kelsey completed a thesis project about the impact of media on body image and took her senior seminar on eating disorders. Throughout her studies, Kelsey completed internships in a psychiatric hospital, mental health resource center, and youth residential treatment center. Kelsey also worked throughout graduate school as an in-home counselor, preventing out of home placement for many youth. After graduation, Kelsey worked at Peachford Hospital, honing her clinical skills and assisting adults, adolescents, and children manage crises and learn coping skills to live safer, healthier lives.

Kelsey is excited for new opportunities to help clients grow at Manna Treatment. Kelsey uses a person-centered, strength-based perspective and utilizes tools from both CBT and DBT therapies. Kelsey is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults struggling with eating disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and interpersonal and family issues. Kelsey believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship to create lasting change. In her free time, you will find Kelsey spending time outside playing with her dog, hiking, or sipping a glass of wine with her friends or family.

 

Christina Alston, MA, LAPC

Christina earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University. She has experience in treating eating disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, and spirituality. Christina understands that oftentimes the problems we face seem like insurmountable obstacles. Mental health is an important part of overall wellness and should not be ignored. Christina is honored to have the opportunity to meet clients where they are and walk alongside them as they navigate difficult challenges. She’s here to help equip you with the tools and support you need to cope and improve your self-esteem and relationships. Christina is passionate about serving others and helping them achieve wellness holistically (body, mind, and spirit). Every person is unique, so she tailors her approach to each client’s individual needs.

 

Anushka Fussell, LAPC

Anushka received Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. She gained experience working in the school system, mental health hospitals and residential eating disorder treatment facilities with children, adolescents, and young adults. Anushka utilizes a person-centered and collaborative approach to meet clients where they are and to assist in creating awareness and empowerment. She is passionate about working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem and relationships.

 

Sierra Marcus, MA, Therapist and Insurance Liaison

 

 

 

Araya Jackson Office Manager

Araya Jackson earned her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University in 2017. She also holds a Master of Business Administration. After graduating, Araya gained valuable experience interning with various nonprofit organizations and working in her family’s business. Araya has a passion for helping nonprofits and small businesses to achieve growth and increase the positive impact on their communities.

 

Walker Bachman, Billing Director

Walker grew up with a brother and sister in upstate New York. In 1981, his family moved to Georgia, where he has lived ever since. He has worked in a number of different fields, and owned his own business for a number of years. In 2004 he became a Certified Professional Coder and entered the medical billing field. Since then he worked for a number of different practices and specialties before finally landing at Manna. He currently lives in Alpharetta with his fiance.

 

Cassandra Parks, Insurance Liaison

Cass has worked in the medical field since she graduated from Augusta State University. She knows her purpose in this life is helping others, which she enjoys doing. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, her boyfriend and friends. Her passion is crafting – from making cards to embroidered hand and bath towels.

 

Megan Gibbs, Office Assistant

Megan began working at Manna in October 2020. For the last 4 years Megan has worked in a variety of medical offices, with specialties ranging from ophthalmology to cardiology. She is excited for the opportunity to support the staff and clients here at Manna by working in the front office alongside Araya. In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and their sweet dog, reading, hiking, grabbing coffee with friends, and visiting her family.

 


Meet our CEP: Chief Executive Paw-ficer
(when life gets Ruff!)

Sassy – Dr. Burnett’s assistant

About Us

Manna Scholarship Fund, Inc. (Manna Fund) was developed to provide payment assistance towards treatment costs due to the inadequate insurance coverage for people with eating disorders. The scholarships given help alleviate the high cost of specialized care. By supporting the community, Manna is also helping families avoid the often difficult decision between treatment for a loved one and the exorbitant cost of care. … Read more

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Whatever your reason, Thank you! How would you like to donate? Online Gift - Donate You can change or even save a life. We invite you today to participate and support Manna Scholarship Fund as we continue to provide therapeutic services and scholarship funds for those in need. Through your kindness today, we can make an impact in our community. To make a gift with a credit card over the phone, … Donate now...

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Manna Fund strives to place our recipients in qualified treatment programs, and will continue to work with many of the programs listed as a part of the REDC. They have created standards for residential care, and Manna Fund also has a "credentialing process" by which we incorporate new treatment facilities into our network. We are also incorporating a yearly re-credentialing process for each treatment center in order to ensure up-to-date information … Read more

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