California-based Alsana, which provides assistance to people with eating disorders, has opened its 10th in-person treatment center in Huntsville. The firm already operates a center in Birmingham.
The Huntsville facility is a 14-bed site on 2.3 acres that offers group sessions, movement sessions and quiet time for its participants. The program is led by Rebecca Barach, who is regional executive director for Alsana Huntsville Program. Barach has been helping clients in recovery heal from their eating disorders since 2011.
“It is an honor to serve as part of our dedicated team to provide hope, healing, compassion, and community for adults who are struggling with eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions,” Barach said. “I am especially proud of the work we’ve done to ensure that our treatment offerings are inclusive, affirming, and safe.”
Announcing the new facility, Alsana says, “People in larger bodies often face obstacles and challenges, such as stigma, bias, or weight discrimination, when they attempt to access care. This creates significant and unnecessary risks for this demographic’s mental and physical health. Alsana Huntsville RTC was designed to be environmentally and programmatically inclusive for clients of all body sizes and abilities.
Alsana CEO Gayle Devin says that the Huntsville RTC comes at a time when the demand for eating recovery services and mental health intervention has never been higher. “I believe the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a significant need for eating disorder treatment services, which have required that we expand our programs to meet the moment. As a clients-first eating recovery community, Alsana has kept all levels of care safe and open when clients need help the most.”
In addition to its two Alabama facilities, Alsana has in-person centers in California and Missouri and a virtual option.
