CLINICAL TEAM

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-Boyd, MS, Employee Liaison & 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.

Victoria “Tori” Payton, MS, LD, RD

Tori joined Manna in May, 2021. She comes to Manna with a wealth of dietary experience. 

Sandra Peterson, PMHNP

Sandra Peterson is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  She has been a registered nurse for over 30 years with an extensive background in pediatrics, she previously worked for Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta for over 10 years.  After raising a family, she returned to complete her Masters Degree in Nursing and discovered a passion for mental health.  Her integrative approach to patient care includes a holistic approach including mind, body and spirit.  Sandra strongly feels that working with the client to create the best plan of care is an important aspect of success.  When not working, she enjoys time on the lake with her husband, spending time with her 5 children and 2 grandchildren, traveling and her 3 pet bunnies!

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.

Kelsey Sander, LCSW

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, LPC

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.

Vanessa Chambers, MS, NCC, APC

Vanessa received her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. During her studies, Vanessa became an advocate for athletes struggling with mental health as mental wellness is for everyone. She has experience working with athletes, treating eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues, and spirituality. Vanessa uses a person centered and strength- based approach to empower adolescents and young adults in both performance and their lives. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out, and traveling.

Courtney Chaney, LPC

Courtney received her Masters of science in clinical mental health counseling from Mercer University and her bachelors in science in psychology and minor in child and family development from Georgia Southern University. Courtney is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. Her services include individual therapy for women and Christian counseling. She specializes in eating disorders, body image issues, trauma, and self-esteem and self-worth issues. She has a passion for helping individuals find their true authentic selves and gain freedom, purpose and empowerment through the process of therapy. Courtney believes in the process of therapy and the transformation therapy can have on people’s lives. Together, we will explore all of you, bring your authentic self to light, and create a positive relationship with yourself. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of the therapy process, and I strive to be an empathetic therapist who will build a strong, healthy relationship with you.I will walk with you through your journey, and provide you with a safe, comfortable environment to be exactly who you are. You want something more- something better- something satisfying. I’m glad you are here. It means you’re ready to take the first step into creating the life you’ve always imagined.

Madison Giles, APC

Madison Giles is a Nationally Certified Mental Health Counselor and graduated from Mercer University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2020. Madison joined Manna in January 2021 as a Clinical Therapist and Event/Marketing Coordinator. During her undergraduate degree, Madison was a Teaching Assistant at Kennesaw State and taught the Eating Disorder track of an Abnormal Psychology course. She completed a college thesis on bullying and developed a Bully Prevention Program for elementary through high school aged students who struggle with bullying and trauma from bullying. Madison has experience working with Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, ADHD, Body Dysmorphia, and ARFID. Manna’s motto is Surviving, Thriving, to Leading, and Madison works hard to lead by example after overcoming a vicious battle with eating disorders throughout her adolescent and early adult years. Working at Manna has been an absolute dream being able to work as a therapist by day and market by night!

Lisa Janik, LD, RD

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.

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

Sassy – Dr. Burnett’s assistant