Welcome to Beacon Counseling
We believe that hope is a beacon, a light on the journey. We want to journey with you on that path to live wholeheartedly and fully engaged lives. Our heart is to foster and provide a safe harbor for your healing.
We are Licensed Psychiatrists and Licensed Professional Counselors, who use our clinical training to address your body, soul, and mind.
Your first appointment will consist of an assessment, where you will be collaborating with your therapist to develop a plan for ongoing care. Then the journey begins!
Due to COVID-19, please call 770-383-1228 or call your therapist directly to discuss scheduling changes. We want to help slow the spread of Coronavirus across our community. Whenever possible we are conducting telehealth appointments. We are limiting the number of people in our offices. Our office are located in Atlanta, Georgia and Cartersville, Georgia. However, if you are in the state of Georgia, we can see you via telehealth services if appropriate.


Team of Professionals
Jon A. Parker, PhD, MAMFT, LPC, LMHC, NCC, is a licensed counselor in Georgia and Florida. Jon has over 15 years of experience as a Counselor/Therapist and life coach. Jon is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. His therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help people effectively address personal life challenges.
Read MoreMary graduated from Butler University’s Physician Assistant program in 2006 and has worked in family practice, emergency medicine, disaster response, and urgent care prior to her start with Beacon. Extensive experience caring for individuals, families, and communities enduring traumatic events compelled her to sharpen her clinical focus on the psychiatric component of human wellness.
Read MoreDebby Thomas PA - C is dedicated to providing compassionate care to individuals navigating mental health challenges. She has extensive experience in many fields of medicine but specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
Read MoreDr. Thomas recently relocated to Atlanta, GA. She completed her Psychiatry Residency at Duke University Hospital in 2011. She is also board certified in Family Medicine; however, she spends most of her time providing psychiatric care as her goal is to improve her patients' quality of life, which mental illness can greatly affect.
Read MoreSandra Thomas
Psychiatrist
Certificates & awards


Book An Appointment
YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE
MEDICAL BILLS
(OMB Control Number: 0938-1401)
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.
What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?
When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care – like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.
You are protected from balance billing for:
Emergency services
If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.
Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center
When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.
If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections.
You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.
When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:
-
You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.
-
Your health plan generally must:
-
Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).
-
Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.
-
Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.
-
Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.
If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact: Brad Raffensperger 4040-656-2881, soscontact@sosga.gov
Visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/model-disclosure-notice-patient-protections-against-surprise-billing-providers-facilities-health.pdf for more information about your rights under Federal law.
Visit sos.ga.gov for more information about your rights under Georgia.

Suicide Prevention Hotline unveils new 988 number
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.
For everyone across the United States
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
For County residents
Multnomah County Behavioral Health Call Center: 503-988-4888
sesassions year
clients weekly
sesassions year
clients weekly