CRC Health Group Opens Austin Sendero

Granger, Texas is the newest site for one of CRC Health Group's latest start up eating disorder treatment facilities. Capable of housing up to 14 male and female patients, ages 17 and above, Austin Sendero is unique with the fitness component that is incorporated into the treatment plan.

Fitness and exercise play an integral part in many of our lives, however, when exercise is taken to the extreme, and food and nutrition are lacking, eating disorders often develop. Austin Sendero's mission includes fitness in the treatment program teaching patients healthy exercise habits, and how to process feelings once changes in the body are recognized. For someone with an eating disorder, it is a frightening experience to gain even healthy weight when they have fought for so long to maintain their low weight condition.

Austin Sendero's therapeutic staff includes licensed therapists, a registered dietician, on-site chef, access to personal trainers, and clinical treatment team with a registered nurse and psychiatrist.

Austin Sendero's opening, February 25, coincided with the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week of February 24-March 1, 2008, which was perfect timing. According to Executive Director, Brad Kennington, "We could not have had a better time to open than with the national recognition of Eating Disorders Awareness week." Kennington goes on to say that his experience as a licensed therapist, and working with both male and female patients who suffer from eating disorders, makes him sensitive to the needs and issues each patient is going through. "Eating disorders can disrupt not only the patient's life, but also the entire family's, and it is important to get treatment that is unique to each patient and their family.", Kennington says.

Austin Sendero is also unique in the treatment of male patients suffering with eating disorders. Kennington knows from his therapeutic experience that males have been overlooked in the treatment process, as anorexia and bulimia are largely seen as a female issue. "This couldn't be further from the truth, and males often times do not seek treatment due to that stigma", Kennington states.

Austin Sendero was designed to be gender neutral by creating an atmosphere where both male and female patients can feel at home. The interior environment was chosen to provide patients with a soothing and tranquil setting. Shelly Underwood, Professional Relations Coordinator for Austin Sendero, states, "For effective healing to take place, we felt it was necessary to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that would appeal to both male and female patients. This is our patient's home for the time they are with us, so we want to make their stay as comfortable as we can so they can concentrate on getting healthy." Austin Sendero's goal is to assimilate one's home environment implementing skills needed for long-term recovery."

For more information about Austin Sendero or to schedule a tour, please contact Shelly Underwood, Professional Relations Coordinator at 512-213-9762 or by email at sunderwood@crchealth.com. For referrals, please contact Sarah Barrera, Intake Coordinator, at 512-213-9765. Our website is www.austinsendero.com.

If we may be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Austin Sendero at 512-819-9149. We look forward to hearing from you.