About Us / Our Story
A Legacy in Motion: Summit’s Milestones
For 35 years, Summit Counseling Center has been a trusted source of hope, healing, and transformation in North Metro Atlanta. From our humble beginnings to becoming a multi-faceted mental health organization, Summit’s journey is marked by innovation, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving our community. This timeline highlights the key milestones that have shaped our growth—from expanding school-based services and launching specialized programs to building lasting partnerships. Each moment reflects our unwavering dedication to making mental health care accessible, impactful, and rooted in connection.
1990
Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church (MPUMC), located at 9820 Nesbit Ferry Rd., Alpharetta, GA, began offering counseling services to both church members and the broader community.
1998
The counseling center was officially incorporated in the State of Georgia under the name United Methodist Psychological and Counseling Services, Inc.
2000
A strategic planning initiative identified counseling as the second highest ministry priority for the MPUMC congregation.
2002
The organization’s name was officially changed to The Summit Counseling Center, Inc. through the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.
2004
MPUMC launched a capital campaign, which included a $1 million commitment to fund a new facility shared by Summit and A Beacon of Hope Pregnancy Care Center.
2006
Groundbreaking and construction began on the new facility at 2750 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek, GA.
2007
Officially moved into the newly completed facility. Offering mental and behavioral health services to individuals, couples, and families in North Fulton County.
2010
Granted full accreditation by Solihten Institute. Formerly DBA The Samaritan Institute, the largest network of faith-integrated counseling centers in the United States.
2013
Established a partnership with CURE Childhood Cancer to provide counseling for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
2014
Began offering Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) counseling and a DBT Skills Group program. Opened first satellite counseling location at 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, GA in partnership with Johns Creek United Methodist Church (JCUMC). Established a “Business Partnership” agreement with Fulton County Schools, allowing Summit to join school counselors in crisis response and to collaborate on programming in the best interest of students. Began offering psychological testing and assessments.
2015
Expanded partnership with CURE Childhood Cancer to create and administer a network of counselors in the state of Georgia to serve children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Established a school-based pilot project with Fulton County Schools to place therapists in 6 high schools in North Fulton County.
2016
Founded the North Fulton Mental Health Collaborative at an afternoon meeting featuring the Honorable Patrick Kennedy, former U.S. Representative from Rhode Island. The Collaborative was designed to bring together all community mental health stakeholders including hospitals and healthcare providers, mental health advocacy organizations (NAMI Northside), governmental partners (city, county and state), area school system representatives, faith community leaders, funding partners (United Way and FDHA), and consumers and their families.
A team of five therapists completed a six month “Intensive Training Program” in DBT and presented their final project at a meeting led by The Linehan Institute’s Behavior Tech in San Diego, CA.
Established a partnership with Dunwoody United Methodist Church (DUMC) to provide counseling services at the Dunwoody Professional Building, 5054 Nandina Lane, Dunwoody, GA.
2017
Registered as a Charitable Organization with the Office of the Secretary of State, Georgia.
Through the generosity of Sunshine On A Rainey Day (SOARD), a Roswell-based nonprofit, two new Play Therapy rooms were constructed to support the growing demand for children’s services.
Three new schools were added to the Fulton County Schools school-based program, bringing the total number served to 9 schools.
2018
Established a new community-based satellite located at Bethany Bend, 13680 Highway 9, Unit G-500, Milton, Georgia.
Eight new schools were added to the Fulton County Schools school-based program, bringing the total number to 17 schools.
2019
Awarded a Fulton County Community Services Program (CSP) Grant in support of a partnership with the North Fulton Mental Health Collaborative to begin the Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Program to provide training to equip adults who interact with children and youth with the necessary skills and information to support these vulnerable students.
The First Responders pilot counseling program began with the City of Johns Creek to provide counseling services to first responders (and their families) serving the Johns Creek community.
A major flood impacted the Old Alabama Rd. office. Business interruption insurance enabled Summit to secure nearby office space for both clinical and administrative staff.
Seven new schools were added to the Fulton County Schools school-based program, bringing the total number to 24 schools.
Joined the video-therapy pilot program initiated by our accrediting organization, Solihten Institute.
Established a school-based program partnership with Dekalb County Schools.
2020
Fulton County Commissioners voted to approve and fund a school-based mental health services program. As a sub-contractor of this program, The Summit received funding to help subsidize our program in 28 Fulton County Schools.
Summit’s clinical staff made a pivot from in person counseling services to video therapy services due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Entered the 2020-21 school year serving 28 Fulton County Schools and 2 Dekalb County Schools.
Started our first school-based program at a private school in partnership with Greater Atlanta Christian School.
Partnered with Sugar Hill United Methodist Church aka “Church on the Hill” to establish a new satellite counseling location. The center is located at 4600 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill, GA.
2021
Celebrated the reopening of the Old Alabama Rd. location after nearly two years of closure caused by two floods and the global pandemic.
Closed the office on Nandina Ln. and relocated to newly renovated offices on the campus of Dunwoody UMC at 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA.
2022
Partnered with Milton First Responders Foundation to provide counseling services to first responders (and their families) serving the Milton community.
Partnered with North Fulton Community Charities to add a Spanish speaking therapist onsite in their education building.
2023
Opened a new office located at 3800 Mansell Rd., Alpharetta, Ga. In addition to clinical services and psychological testing, this space also houses Summit’s administrative and operational staff.
Partnered with Fulton County Schools to provide school-based services for The LEAP program, bringing the total number of schools being served to 32.
2025
Partnered with Sandy Springs EAP to provide counseling services to first responders and city employees (and their families) serving the community.
2026
Combined our administrative and leadership teams into our main location, Johns Creek Office (Old Alabama Rd), Johns Creek, GA.
Celebrated by David M. Smith as The Summit Counseling Center Executive Director for the past 25 years.
Our Accreditations
The Solihten Institute
The Summit Counseling Center is accredited by The Solihten Institute (
Charity Navigator
With more than 225,000 charities rated, our comprehensive ratings shine a light on the cost-effectiveness and overall health of a charity’s programs, including measures of stability, efficiency, and sustainability. The metrics inform donors of not just where their dollars are going but what their dollars are doing. In 2022, The Summit earned a 4 Star Rating and 97% overall score.
Guidestar By Candid
Candid was formed in 2019 when GuideStar and Foundation Center merged. Candid is a nonprofit that provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector.Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. We find out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it. Based on a review of our most recently available financials, Candid has awarded The Summit the 2023 Gold Seal of Transparency.
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