A Center for Eating Disorders, formerly known as The Alabama Center for Eating Disorders, proudly announces a new title, reflecting its foundation in community and collaboration. The center offers accessible, affordable and comprehensive treatment to those nationwide struggling with an eating disorder.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Center for Eating Disorders (ACED), formerly known as The Alabama Center for Eating Disorders, adopted a new title to represent its comprehensive and adaptive treatment philosophy.

While the center remains in the heart of Alabama, the inclusive title speaks to individuals outside Alabama who seek the individualized and holistic program that’s unique to ACED. The center also stands apart in its fundamental belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. In fact, many of its staff members, including Founder and Executive Director Renée Miller, are fully recovered from the illness.

The staff brings to ACED this personal experience, as well as more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders at the most renowned centers nationwide. ACED’s treatment team – including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, dietitians, yoga instructors and others – partners with fellow professionals in the community, who offer specialized services and talents, to provide comprehensive care for every client.

This collaborative effort creates a solid resource to anticipate and meet the needs of clients and their loved ones. The ultimate goal is to create a program that complements the therapeutic support clients have or will establish with a therapist and other professionals in the community.

ACED is affordable and accessible, and as a result, draws individuals living outside Alabama in areas that lack such resources. There is a dangerous gap in this country between expensive inpatient/residential treatment that many insurance providers don’t cover, and individual therapy that is not structured enough to treat those with serious eating disorders.

This is one reason why nine out of 10 people with an eating disorder don’t receive treatment, and why more than 45,000 people die of eating disorders in this country each year. ACED aims to reduce these numbers with a healing, compassionate community.

Miller, other ACED staff members, and current and past clients of Miller are available for interviews and pictures by contacting Leigh Bell. See contact info below.

__________________________________________________

About Renee Miller

● licensed marriage-and-family therapist and trained in art therapy

● adjunct professor of Psychology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham

● founder of first residential treatment center for eating disorders in Alabama

● worked with eating disorders for more than a decade in various settings

About A Center for Eating Disorders

● most comprehensive outpatient program statewide

● operates six full days a week, with evening groups

● much more affordable but equally as comprehensive as residential treatment, which can cost upwards of $2,000 per day

● treatment staff includes experts – many themselves recovered from an eating disorder – who are respected by fellow eating-disorder treatment providers and the local therapeutic community

Eating disorder statistics

● At least 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder.

● Millions more have binge-eating disorders.

● More than 45,000 people die of eating disorders each year in America.

● Eating disorders are the most fatal psychiatric illness.

– National Eating Disorders Association

Contact:

Leigh Bell, Communications Director

A Center for Eating Disorders

Cell: (205) 304-4640

l.bell@acenterforeatingdisorders.com

www.acenterforeatingdisorders.com

Immediate Release

Contact:
Leigh Bell, ACED Communications Director
Cell: (205) 304-4640
l.bell@acenterforeatingdisorders.com
www.acenterforeatingdisorders.com

ACED will open Feb. 23 and now accepts new clients. Full recovery is possible.

The staff is complete, touting more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders. The newly renovated neighborhood facility is complete. The state’s most comprehensive treatment center for eating disorders opens its doors to complete, lifelong recovery.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Center for Eating Disorders, formerly known as the Alabama Center for Eating Disorders, is excited to announce its opening February 23 and now welcomes new clients to its waiting list. ACED is founded on the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible for anyone given the right support.

“Recover for life,” as Founder and Executive Director Renée Miller says.

The center, located in the heart of Birmingham, is one of the most comprehensive outpatient treatment program in the state. The much-needed program fills a dangerous gap between expensive inpatient/residential treatment that many insurance providers don’t cover and individual therapy that is not structured enough to treat men and women with serious eating disorders. This is one reason why nine out of 10 people with an eating disorder don’t receive treatment.

ACED is unlike any other statewide. Miller and many staff members are themselves recovered from eating disorders or have helped a loved one struggling. Each can honestly say, “I’ve been there.”

Yet, the treatment team understands paths to healing are unique for everyone, so they created a program that adjusts to each client’s individual needs.

“You don’t have to be recovered from an eating disorder to effectively treat one,” Miller says. “Of course, it requires education and experience. However, I believe I have a deep empathy, understanding and respect for my clients, for anyone seeking recovery. The relationship is what heals. And maybe the fact that I’m recovered helps me navigate the relationship a little better.

“Maybe it gives me an edge, but it’s not the keystone of effective treatment.”

ACED recognizes that community fosters healing and recovery. The experienced staff – psychologists, physicians, a dietitian and yoga instructor — partner with fellow professionals in the community offering specialized services and talents to provide comprehensive care for every client.

This collaborative, community effort creates a solid resource to anticipate and meet the needs of clients and their loved ones. The ultimate goal is to create a program that complements the therapeutic support clients have or will establish with a therapist and other community service providers.

__________________________________________________

About Founder and Executive Director Renée Miller

● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and trained in art therapy.
● Adjunct professor in the Psychology Department of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
● Founder of first residential treatment center for eating disorders in Alabama.
● Has worked with eating disorders for 12 years in various settings.

About ACED

● Founded on the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
● Most comprehensive outpatient program in Alabama.
● Staff has more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders and partners with community therapists, consultants and physicians who offer specialized services.
● Structured on the recognition that community fosters recovery.
● Operates six full days a week, with evening groups.
● Offers additional outpatient services, such as assessments, nutritional management, and individual, group and family therapy.
● Equally effective as residential treatment, but one-half to one-third the cost of that treatment option, which charges cost upwards of $2,000 per day.

Eating disorder statistics

● At least 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder.
● Millions more have binge-eating disorders.
● More than 45,000 people die of eating disorders each year in America.
● Eating disorders are the most fatal psychiatric illness.
– National Eating Disorders Association

Immediate Release

Contact:
Leigh Bell, ACED Communications Director
Cell: (205) 304-4640
l.bell@acenterforeatingdisorders.com
www.acenterforeatingdisorders.com

Local therapist launches ACED, an innovative eating-disorder treatment center, to share recovery with those struggling

A Center for Eating Disorders, formerly known as the Alabama Center for Eating Disorders, breaks ground in Birmingham early next year as the state’s most comprehensive outpatient treatment program. The innovative center harmonizes the experience and compassion of its founder, licensed therapist Renee Miller. After personally winning the battle against anorexia, Miller dedicated her professional life to help others conquer similar fights.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – It is a hometown story of triumph. After full recovery from an eating disorder that one national expert called “terminal,” Renee Miller became a licensed psychotherapist to guide others toward recovery.

A decade later, she and a team of experienced professionals – all highly respected by fellow eating-disorder treatment providers and the local therapeutic community – are about to launch the state’s most comprehensive outpatient program to treat eating disorders.

A Center for Eating Disorders, ACED, will open early next year and is already accepting new patients for the waiting list. Learn more at www.acenterforeatingdisorders.org.

The much-needed program fills a dangerous gap between expensive inpatient/residential treatment that most insurance providers don’t cover and individual therapy that is not structured enough to treat men and women with serious eating disorders. This is one reason why only one in 10 people with an eating disorder receive treatment.

ACED is unlike any other statewide. Its treatment team works with the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible for anyone given the right tools –“Recover for life,” as Miller says.

The team understands paths to healing are unique for everyone, so they created a program that adjusts to each client’s individual needs. Miller and many ACED staff members are themselves recovered from eating disorders. They can honestly say they’ve been there.

“You don’t have to be recovered from an eating disorder to effectively treat one,” Miller says. “Of course, it requires education and experience. However, I believe I have a deep empathy, understanding and respect for my clients, for anyone seeking recovery. The relationship is what heals. And maybe the fact that I’m recovered helps me navigate the relationship a little better.

“Maybe it gives me an edge, but it’s not the keystone of effective treatment.”

Miller spent nearly five years in medical or treatment facilities for severe anorexia. There, professionals doubted she would live to age 25. “Untreatable,” they said. Miller began to believe it.

Then she found treatment where professionals used words like “100-percent recovery” instead.

Peace – Miller experienced brief moments of it. After long, hard work and with the support of a collaborative treatment community, those peaceful moments stretched even further. Recovery became attainable.

Miller returned to school, earned her license as a marriage-and-family therapist, and then devoted her life to those fighting an eating disorder. She has worked with clients in a variety of settings, from inpatient to individual therapy, and founded the first residential treatment center for eating disorders in Alabama. She practices with the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is attainable. “Recover for life.”

Miller, other ACED staff members, and current and past clients of Miller are available for interviews and pictures by contacting Leigh Bell.

www.acenterforeatingdisorders.org.

__________________________________________________

About Renee Miller

● licensed marriage-and-family therapist and trained in art therapy

● adjunct professor of Psychology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham

● founder of first residential treatment center for eating disorders in Alabama

● worked with eating disorders for more than a decade in various settings

About the Alabama Center for Eating Disorders

● most comprehensive outpatient program statewide

● operates six full days a week, with evening groups

● much more affordable but equally as comprehensive as residential treatment, which can cost upwards of $2,000 per day

● treatment staff includes experts – many themselves recovered from an eating disorder – who are respected by fellow eating-disorder treatment providers and the local therapeutic community

Some story ideas to consider:

● Birmingham native Renee Miller turns tribulation into triumph and opens the Alabama Center for Eating Disorders with the belief that full recovery is possible.

● A story of hope for the holidays: Yes, people do recover from eating disorders. Renee Miller is living proof.

● Holidays filled with food and family interaction flare eating-disorder symptoms. Expert and licensed therapist Renee Miller shares advice for those suffering, as well as their loved ones.

● Miller and/or ACED medical director comment on new study published in the December issue of Radiology showing anorexia in girls diminishes bone density and causes bone abnormality.

● Recent news shows an increasing number of adult women with eating disorders. Miller discusses why middle-age issues, including the sunken economy, cause eating disorders to resurface.

Eating disorder statistics

● At least 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder.

● Millions more have binge-eating disorders.

● More than 45,000 people die of eating disorders each year in America.

● Eating disorders are the most fatal psychiatric illness.

– National Eating Disorders Association

Immediate Release

Contact:
Leigh Bell, ACED Communications Director
Cell: (205) 304-4640
l.bell@acenterforeatingdisorders.com
www.acenterforeatingdisorders.com

A Center for Eating Disorders (ACED) holds Open House Feb. 8-9. Community gets a sneak peek before opening day on February 23.

It’s an exclusive opportunity to preview the center, ask questions about the program’s community-based collaborative treatment model, and learn about the center’s philosophy and programming.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Center for Eating Disorders, formerly known as the Alabama Center for Eating Disorders, and its expert treatment team welcome colleagues, friends and family to drop by the Open House from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, February 8 and 5-8:30 p.m. Monday, February 9.

The center is a bright, inviting home in a neighborhood near the Homewood and Southside enclaves.

ACED staff and team of community consultants will be there to answer any questions about their personal roles in the program. ACED is a collaborative effort between its core staff — therapists, physicians, psychologists, a dietitian and yoga instructor – and fellow community professionals to provide the most comprehensive outpatient treatment in the state.

About Founder and Executive Director Renée Miller
● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and trained in art therapy.
● Adjunct professor in the Psychology Department of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
● Founder of first residential treatment center for eating disorders in Alabama.
● Has worked with eating disorders for 12 years in various settings.

About ACED
● Founded on the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
● Most comprehensive outpatient program in Alabama.
● Staff has more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders and partners with community therapists, consultants and physicians who offer specialized services.
● Structured on the recognition that community fosters recovery.
● Operates six full days a week, with evening groups.
● Offers additional outpatient services, such as assessments, nutritional management, and individual, group and family therapy.
● Equally effective as residential treatment, but one-half to one-third the cost of that treatment option, which charges cost upwards of $2,000 per day.

Eating disorder statistics
● At least 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder.
● Millions more have binge-eating disorders.
● More than 45,000 people die of eating disorders each year in America.
● Eating disorders are the most fatal psychiatric illness.
– National Eating Disorders Association

Immediate Release

A Center for Eating Disorders (ACED) names expert treatment team with more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders in many settings nationwide.

The core staff of therapists, psychologists, physicians, a dietitian and a yoga instructor collaborates with fellow professionals in the community to offer the state’s most comprehensive outpatient treatment center for eating disorders.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Recognizing that community fosters healing and recovery, A Center for Eating Disorders, formerly known as the Alabama Center for Eating Disorders, names a skilled team of staff members and community consultants.

With more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders, ACED core staff partners with fellow community therapists, consultants and physicians who offer specialized services. Empowered with experience and talent, the collaborative treatment team, as a whole, can anticipate and meet the individual needs of clients and their loved ones.

The ACED mission to connect with the community creates a solid resource, not only for clients and their families, but also for fellow professionals who encounter situations related to eating disorders.

The ultimate goal for the program is to complement therapeutic support clients have or will establish with a therapist and other outpatient service providers in the surrounding community. The ultimate goal for clients is complete recovery from an eating disorder.

Contact:
Leigh Bell, ACED Communications Director
Cell: (205) 304-4640
l.bell@acenterforeatingdisorders.com
www.acenterforeatingdisorders.com

Staff Members

●Renée Miller, MA, LPC
Founder and Executive Director

●Elizabeth McMurray, MA
Clinical Director

●Caroline West, MA, LPC, NBCC
Program Therapist

●Judith Harrington, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT
Program Therapist

●Christianne Strang, ATR-BC
Art Therapist

●Nancy Berland, PhD
Program Psychologist

●Sophia Lal, DO
Medical Director

●Sonya Grisham, MS, RD, LD, CDE
Primary Dietitian

●Leslie Hurley Black, RN
Program Nurse

●LeAnn Nequette, MA, ALC, CYT
Yoga Instructor and Associate Program Therapist*
*Supervisor: Judith Harrington, LPC-S

●Lillian Barnwell, MA, ALC
Associate Program Therapist*
*Supervisor Kim Brindley, M. Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S

●Jessica Leven, MA, ALC
Associate Program Therapist*
*Supervisor: Anita Neuer LPC-S

Community team

●Mary Boggiano, PhD
Research Consultant

●Anne-Laura Cook, MD
Community Physician

●Mary Ellen Capps, MA, LPC
Community Therapist

●Shirley Richards, LPC
Community Therapist

●Sandra Frazier, MD
Consulting Physician

●Gayle Janzen, PhD
Consulting Psychologist

●Lisa Altamirano PT, MS, CSCS
Consulting Physical Therapist

__________________________________________________

About Founder and Executive Director Renée Miller
● Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and trained in art therapy.
● Adjunct professor in the Psychology Department of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
● Founder of first residential treatment center for eating disorders in Alabama.
● Has worked with eating disorders for 12 years in various settings.

About ACED
● Founded on the belief that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
● Most comprehensive outpatient program in Alabama.
● Staff has more than 75 years combined experience treating eating disorders and partners with community therapists, consultants and physicians who offer specialized services.
● Structured on the recognition that community fosters recovery.
● Operates six full days a week, with evening groups.
● Offers additional outpatient services, such as assessments, nutritional management, and individual, group and family therapy.
● Equally effective as residential treatment, but one-half to one-third the cost of that treatment option, which charges cost upwards of $2,000 per day.

Eating disorder statistics
● At least 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder.
● Millions more have binge-eating disorders.
● More than 45,000 people die of eating disorders each year in America.
● Eating disorders are the most fatal psychiatric illness.
– National Eating Disorders Association