Eating Disorder Treatment in Birmingham, Alabama

Compassion-focused, evidence-based residential eating disorder treatment for adults of all genders.

Alsana Birmingham
is here for you

5101 Cyrus Circle
Birmingham, AL 35242

(855)915-0213

Residential Eating Disorder Treatment in Birmingham, AL

Clients benefit from a community of compassionate, expert providers with vast experience and specialized training in eating disorder treatment.

Located in the rolling hills of Birmingham, Alabama, this location offers the highest quality of care, clinical, nutritional, and medical support led by a multidisciplinary team of treatment professionals committed to providing compassion-focused support for individuals recovering from the following eating disorders:

Learn more about how our eating disorder treatment centers can assist in your recovery, and contact our team to start your treatment journey.

Diabulimia Care
Individuals struggling with diabulimia need to know that diabetes management doesn’t have to revolve around weight loss or restriction. Diabulimia treatment requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Our Alsana Birmingham care teams provide evidence-based, whole-person care for individuals with eating disorders and co-occurring diabetes (ED-DMT1 “diabulimia).

Residential Program Features

  • Home environment
  • 24 hour care, including on-site nursing
  • 2 individual sessions/week with Primary Therapist
  • 1 supportive other session/week
  • 2 nutrition counseling sessions/week
  • 1 nursing assessment/week
  • 1 psychiatry session/week
  • 5 group sessions/day

Residential Program Features

  • Home environment
  • 24 hour care, including on-site nursing
  • 2 individual sessions/week with Primary Therapist
  • 1 supportive other session/week
  • 2 nutrition counseling sessions/week
  • 1 nursing assessment/week
  • 1 psychiatry session/week
  • 5 group sessions/day
  • Medical touchpoints as needed

Meet Our Alsana Birmingham Care Team

Our clients come first and are the center of our universe. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, affirming treatment environment where you can focus on healing.

Mary Elizabeth Akinaka, LPC, CEDS-S

Regional Executive Director

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Mary Elizabeth Akinaka, LPC, CEDS-S

Mary Elizabeth Akinaka currently serves as Regional Executive Director at Alsana in Birmingham, AL. She is an LPC and CEDS-S and has been working in the eating disorder community and with Alsana for almost a decade. Mary Elizabeth is passionate about leading a team who have a compassionate drive for serving clients with intentional, effective, and individualized care. She enjoys being a part of a space that allows clients to have a brave space to work on their recovery journey.

Mary Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in Collaborative Special Education from Auburn University. She received  her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and a Certificate of marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Mary Elizabeth loves interacting with individuals from all walks of life and is a believer that a significant aspect of our growth as human beings is through interaction, specifically those who stories look different from our own. In her spare time she loves spending time with her husband and two boys.

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Ronda Cannon, BS

Regional Director of Development, East Region | she/her/hers

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Ronda Cannon, BS

Ronda believes that one of Alsana’s most important guiding principles is “clients first,” and that the team will be there every step of the way. As the Regional Executive Director at the Alabama location, Ronda loves her job because she feels that everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission in an environment where everybody is there for each other.

Ronda currently oversees all day to day operations and administration for Alsana’s programs in Alabama and she enjoys being able to witness the journey of our clients from beginning to end, and to watch as the road of recovery unfolds.

Prior to Alsana, Ronda spent several years as the program coordinator for Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention in the state of Washington, developing eating disorder prevention programs and creating several presentations and publications on the subject. Ronda also has a strong research and analytical background having worked as a program manager for the Department of Medicine and Anesthesiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ronda graduated magna cum laude from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Outside of work, Ronda enjoys spending time with her friends and family, sitting in nature and feeling the sunshine on her face, taking long walks on the beach and feeling the sand between her toes, traveling to distant places, listening to music, going to the theater, and losing herself in a good book. Ronda is proud to share that all her pets since 1977 have been named after Star Wars characters, the greatest movie franchise in existence.

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Lindsey Dale

Program Director | she/her/hers

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Lindsey Dale

Lindsey started with Alsana in 2020 as a Direct Care Staff following graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently working on her Master’s in Social Work at Samford University. Lindsey has moved through different leadership roles such as lead DCS to Program Coordinator and is currently the Program Director at Alsana Birmingham RTC, a 20-bed residential facility in Birmingham, AL.

In her time with Alsana, Lindsey’s passion for working in the eating disorder field has grown from watching our clients go one step further than they believe is possible every day. She values walking alongside clients in every stage of recovery, from the moment they walk through the doors to the moment they move to the next part of their recovery journey.

In her free time between work and school, Lindsey enjoys exploring nature and creating designs on her Cricut.

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David Jordan

Nurse Manager | he/him/his

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David Jordan

David joined Alsana as a staff nurse in 2021. Before joining Alsana he worked in a hospital on the intensive care unit. He is passionate about helping people with the medical aspect of their treatment. As the nurse manager, he works closely with the psychiatrists and medical doctors to provide the best care possible for our clients. He loves working at Alsana because of its holistic approach to client care.

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Katherine C. Jordan, MS, RDN, LDN, CEDRD-S

Director of Clinical Services | she/her/hers

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Katherine C. Jordan, MS, RDN, LDN, CEDRD-S

Katherine interned at Alsana and would leave each day fulfilled from spending time with the amazing clients. Now a dietitian with Alsana, she is inspired daily by clients’ bravery and courage. She also appreciates the cohesive team that pushes her to not only become a more effective dietitian, but also a better person.

Katherine loves supporting clients as they gain a healthy relationship with food. This includes experiencing the enjoyment and nourishment of food in harmony, creating an environment for individuals to trust their bodies as well as the food they use to fuel it. She believes it is an honor that our clients share their story and their recovery journey with us day in and day out. She values seeing clients’ relationships with food transformed and true freedom entering their lives—mind, body, and soul.

Katherine graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Food and Nutrition. As a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist, she is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor, a member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Katherine loves cooking, boxing, traveling, and anything that involves being outdoors. She’s traveled to 11 countries including China, Tanzania, and Cuba.

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Jordan Pfeffle, MS, RDN, LD

Lead Dietitian | she/her/hers

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Jordan Pfeffle, MS, RDN, LD

Jordan has been working with Alsana since 2021, first as a program dietitian before becoming the lead dietitian. As lead dietitian for Alsana, Jordan is responsible for overseeing the nutrition, culinary, and movement dimensions at our residential program. Jordan knew she wanted to work with Alsana after learning about the program during a nutrition conference and really appreciating the holistic treatment approach including the Adaptive Care Model. Jordan is most passionate about sharing her nutrition knowledge while guiding clients to heal their relationships with both food and their bodies.

Jordan graduated summa cum laude with both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Food and Nutrition from the University of Alabama, roll tide! Jordan is a member of the local Birmingham Dietetic Association and national Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Jordan is currently working towards becoming a Certificated Eating Disorders Specialist.

In her free time, Jordan enjoys shopping around local farmers markets, joining classes at True40, and exploring Birmingham. Jordan’s ultimate happy place is the beach with friends and family where you might find her most weekends in the summer!

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Alyssa Brown, LPC, NCC

Lead Therapist | she/her/hers

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Alyssa Brown, LPC, NCC

As the lead therapist at Alsana, Alyssa loves getting to know the clients and helping them find the hope they need to step toward recovery every single day. It’s the team environment at Alsana in Birmingham that makes her enjoy stepping through the doors each morning.

Knowing that everyone cares for each other and is passionate about the work makes this such an amazing career. Alyssa has been working with eating disorder clients since her first internship in 2016.

Alyssa graduated from the University of Montevallo after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Art and Psychology and her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

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Johnny Williamson, MD

Psychiatrist | he/him/his

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Johnny Williamson, MD

Prior to joining Alsana, Johnny served as the Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center in the Chicagoland area, caring for individuals diagnosed with various eating disorders.  He has over 6 years of experience in the treatment of eating disorders.

Dr. Williamson completed his undergraduate degree at the University Of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He earned his medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.  Subsequently, he completed both general psychiatry and child and adolescent residencies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Dr. Williamson spent much of his early career in community psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and hospital-based work.  More recently Dr. Williamson provides care in a mix of inpatient work, residential treatment and private practice.

Dr. Williamson is board-certified in General and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has over 20 years of experience in mental health.

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Eating Disorder Treatment Programs

A continuum of care for your healing journey. We want you to succeed and we know the ...

first step is often the hardest. At Alsana in Birmingham, Alabama we currently offer three levels of care for adults: residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient. We also offer Virtual Treatment Options for IOP.

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In Their Own Words

Let Alsana help you write your own story of hope and healing. Alsana Birmingham would like to be your eating recovery community.

  • The staff at Alsana proved to be extremely talented in the art and the skill of not colluding with my eating disorder while...

    also not treating me as if  I was an eating disorder. They treated me like the real, whole person that I had lost sight of. They have an ability to hold nuance gently and they aren’t afraid to wade into the hardest waters, which is so much more helpful than receiving treatment that is guided by a rigid manual. There is an unbelievable amount of safety at Alsana because of this and my gratitude is crazy high!
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    Sydney
    Sydney
  • As I began to apply the knowledge I gained from Alsana into my daily life, I found that my anxiety, guilt, shame ...

    and self-criticism steadily faded like a candle flickering on its last legs. I found authentic joy in things I used to reprimand myself for doing. I took, and continue to take pride in the progress I made and continue to make. Most importantly, I am now capable of self-acceptance and self-love whether I succeed, fail or anything in between.
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    Paul
    Paul
  • Before coming to Alsana, I had never had a treatment experience in which the “how” and “why” of the eating ...

    disorder were addressed. This has proven to be essential in my treatment at Alsana and also in my daily life as a member of society. Alsana providers led me through so much illuminating self-reflection about topics that I had never before considered relevant to my treatment, recovery, or self in general. Alsana staff appreciate and treat the individual, and I felt this in and outside of therapy sessions. They always humored my random geography facts and propensity to trail glitter wherever I went. 🙂 Ultimately, my treatment experience at Alsana taught me how to be a shamelessly authentic individual, and it gave me a sense of safety to explore what it means to be myself.
    With so much love,
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    Kate
    Kate

PHP/IOP Treatment
Program

Birmingham, AL

Our Alsana Birmingham day treatment facility is conveniently located to provide seamless care for clients transitioning out of our residential program. PHP/IOP levels of care are well-suited to support individuals ready to hone their recovery skills with more autonomy. Our team is happy to assist clients in securing recovery-minded housing nearby.

Exterior view of Alsana Birmingham PHP/IOP Facility in AL

Our Alsana Birmingham day treatment facility is conveniently located to provide seamless care for clients transitioning out of our residential program. PHP/IOP levels of care are well-suited to support individuals ready to hone their recovery skills with more autonomy. Our team is happy to assist clients in securing recovery-minded housing nearby.

Adaptive Care
Model®

Our Adaptive Care Model® reflects our integrative approach to eating disorder treatment. We focus on the total health and well-being of each client by empowering these areas: medical, therapeutic, nutrition, movement, and relational practices.

Alsana leadership and treatment teams work collaboratively to develop, train, and create consistency within all of our clinics. Within this framework, we put the client first, offering the client essential tools as well as support to achieve a fully-recovered life.

Alsana's Adaptive Care Model for eating disorder recovery
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Medical Treatment

We heal bodies and minds.

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Nutrition Icon for Alsana's Adaptive Care Model

Nutrition

We believe in and practice all-inclusive nutrition.

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Yoga icon to represent movement in Alsana's Adaptive Care Model for Eating Disorders

Movement

We support movement for every body.

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Therapeutic

We cultivate compassion.

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Relational

We are accepting of all lived experiences.

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Residential Treatment Programs

PHP/IOP Treatment

Birmingham, AL

The location has been renovated and updated to fully provide for your healing journey and comfort. We’ve brought together a welcoming team of experienced eating disorder professionals who are committed to your care.

Birmingham

Alsana Birmingham is a preferred in-network provider for all major insurance companies.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Logo
Anthem Blue Cross logo - health insurance
Beacon health options logo
blue shield California logo
Kaiser Permanente logo- eating disorder insurance coverage
Multiplan logo- eating disorder coverage
aetna health insurance logo
Cigna health coverage logo
Humana health insurance logo
MHN Healthnet logo
Optum logo- eating disorder coverage

Alsana Residential Programming Is Also
Available At These Locations

Monterey, CA

Our historic, residential location in Monterey, California is renowned for its natural beauty, seasonal monarch butterflies, and grazing deer.

The location has been renovated and updated to fully provide for your healing journey and comfort. We’ve brought together a welcoming team of experienced eating disorder professionals who are committed to your care...READ MORE

Our historic, residential location in Monterey, California is renowned for its natural beauty, seasonal monarch butterflies, and grazing deer.

The location has been renovated and updated to fully provide for your healing journey and comfort. We’ve brought together a welcoming team of experienced eating disorder professionals who are committed to your care...READ MORE

Santa Barbara, CA

Alsana Santa Barbara’s residential eating disorder treatment program offers a soft landing for adults who can benefit from the structured support of inpatient eating disorder care. Our compassion-focused approach to eating disorder care is built on the foundation of Alsana’s Adaptive Care Model®, which delivers...READ MORE

Santa Barbara

Alsana Santa Barbara’s residential eating disorder treatment program offers a soft landing for adults who can benefit from the structured support of inpatient eating disorder care. Our compassion-focused approach to eating disorder care is built on the foundation of Alsana’s Adaptive Care Model®, which delivers...READ MORE

St. Louis, MO

Alsana’s residential eating disorder treatment program in St. Louis (Ballwin area) rests on a serene 55-acre campus, where our clients can enjoy peaceful walks and group activities while in treatment. This residential treatment center is led by a team of dedicated eating disorder professionals who provide compassion-focused support...READ MORE

Alsana’s residential eating disorder treatment program in St. Louis (Ballwin area) rests on a serene 55-acre campus, where our clients can enjoy peaceful walks and group activities while in treatment. This residential treatment center is led by a team of dedicated eating disorder professionals who provide compassion-focused support...READ MORE

Thousand Oaks, CA

Located in Ventura County, Alsana in Thousand Oaks is our newest residential eating disorder treatment program, welcoming adult clients of all genders.

This six-bed program serves clients struggling with anorexia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED/EDNOS, and co-occurring mental health conditions...READ MORE

Located in Ventura County, Alsana in Thousand Oaks is our newest residential eating disorder treatment program, welcoming adult clients of all genders.

This six-bed program serves clients struggling with anorexia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED/EDNOS, and co-occurring mental health conditions...READ MORE

Westlake Village, CA

Alsana’s residential eating recovery community in Westlake Village offers evidence-based, structured care for adults recovering from eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our multidisciplinary team of treatment professionals is dedicated to meeting each unique client...READ MORE

Alsana’s residential eating recovery community in Westlake Village offers evidence-based, structured care for adults recovering from eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our multidisciplinary team of treatment professionals is dedicated to meeting each unique client...READ MORE

Alsana Birmingham is Here to Support Your Recovery Journey.

Call Us Today. (855)915-0213

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