We are the only center in the United States with a multi-dimensional approach to weight-loss designed — in one program — to provide you with all of the missing pieces necessary to create lasting change, achieve improved health and wellness, and build a better life.

Congratulations!

You’ve taken the first step by acknowledging the need to change your relationship with food in order to have the life you desire and achieve lasting weight loss.

Our Mission

At The Bariatric Counseling Center of San Antonio, we are here to help you by providing the counseling, education and support you need to embrace the behavioral changes that will help ensure that the weight you take off, stays off.

We provide an Intensive Outpatient Program that is geared towards assisting people whose prior weight loss attempts have not been successful because their dieting habits were unsustainable. We focus on creating that change through insight and awareness into one’s relationship with food and developing realistic habits that you can sustain throughout your life. In our program, you will establish adaptive coping mechanisms to reduce the use of food as a way to cope with stress and emotions and eliminate binge eating and other problematic behaviors. We come together as a community to prepare and eat a meal at each session, learning new cooking and eating habits that support your success. You will do all of this in a community who understands the struggle — and who are all working toward change and success.

Staff

Our staff is specially trained to help patients identify and address the physical, emotional, societal and psychological dynamics that are crucial for understanding the causes of obesity and binge eating.

From cooking and nutrition skills; to physical fitness regimens; to understanding the personal needs or issues that drive overeating — our team will equip you with the tools you need to transform your life.

With nearly 100 years of combined experience, we’re here to support your long-term success by providing the education, therapy, counseling and insights you need to change your relationship with food. Our ultimate goal is to help you to embrace healthier lifestyle choices in areas like eating, exercise and relationships.

Dietary  

Chasley Fortune

Chasley Fortune, RD, LD

Director of Dietary Services

Dietitian

About

Chasley is a Registered Dietitian who is licensed to practice in Texas. She was born and raised in San Antonio, attending private school from 4k-12th grade and participated in multiple sports growing up. She graduated from the University of Texas of San Antonio Coordinated Dietetics program with a Masters in May 2019. Chasley has a Fiancé, an older sister, and my two parents who also live in San Antonio. Chasley hopes to show everyone how to have a loving relationship with food in their lives and to spread to joys of nutrition knowledge.

Chasley Fortune

Rosye Rodea, RD, LD

Dietitian

 

About

Rosye is Registered Dietitian who is licensed to practice in Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas of San Antonio Coordinated Dietetics program with a Masters in May 2019, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health. Rosye specializes in medical nutrition therapy for transplant recipients and has her certified clinical transplant dietitian (CCTD) certification. Rosye’s goal for every client is to provide tools that will help individuals feel empowered to make the best decision for their personal health goals, that are backed by evidenced based research.  

Rosye enjoys reading, socializing, trying new activities and recently joined a kick ball team.    

Chasley Fortune

Montse Tolentino, RD, LD

Dietitian

 

About

Montse is a Registered Dietitian to be, who recently graduated from the University of Texas of San Antonio Coordinated Dietetics program with a Masters in May 2023. She was born in Mexico City and raised in San Antonio. She enjoys traveling, reading, playing volleyball and spending time with friends and family. Montse’s aspiration is to instill confidence in clients, enabling them to make informed dietary choices and develop a positive relationship with food that leads them to achieve their health and wellness goals.

Clinical

Dr. Sara Hamilton

Dr. Sara Hamilton

Director of Clinical Services

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

About
Dr. Hamilton believes long-term weight loss success comes from healing mind and body together. Much of Dr. Hamilton’s academic and clinical efforts have been devoted towards considering the ways in which practicing mindfulness facilitates improved emotional health, bodily awareness, and self-compassion. Dr. Hamilton particularly enjoys working with clients in the midst of life transitions and values the opportunity to help our clients as they explore new ways to meet their weight loss goals. To facilitate achieving and maintaining weight loss success, she is invested in helping clients explore how their relationships with food and with others impact their eating and exercise habits. Dr. Hamilton brings a compassionate and empathic presence to her work in which she seeks to empower clients as they discover new avenues of happiness in their lives. In addition to acting as a staff psychologist, Dr. Hamilton is tasked with researching and evaluating the success of our program.
Nancy Albus LPC, NCC, CEDS-S

Nancy Albus LPC, NCC, CEDS-S

Clinical Advisor

About

Nancy Albus joined the BCC in June of 2017 to assist with the expanding the clinical mission in San Antonio. She has extensive experience as a former Chief Executive Officer managing and growing nationally accredited eating disorder treatment facilities. Nancy is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with extensive training and over 18 years of experience in eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationships and family therapy. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor by International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and brings that specialization to the program, staff and clients as the Clinical Advisor.

She is passionate about access to mental healthcare, removing the stigma associated with therapy and assisting the clients with a process leading to empowerment and improved quality of life.

Marie Lewis LPC

James M. Gemino LPC

Therapist

About

James often suggests to his clients that the first step to experiencing external change is to make an internal change. He also believes that adjustments in mentality and perspective are critical when hoping to achieve the long-lasting happiness he insists all people deserve. James was awarded his Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling by Long Island University, where his holistic and person-centered approach helped clients to realize that they are so much more than just their diagnosis. He spent his early career working in a residential treatment center where he was part of a team that helped clients to manage the symptoms of their eating disorder, generalized anxiety, bipolar, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder diagnoses. Having recently relocated to San Antonio from New York, James continues to help clients work towards finding their own self-love and inner peace. James is also a professional musician and is always considering how music can be used to enhance client experience.

Libby Benavides LPC-I

Sara Broussard R-DMT, LPC

Therapist

About

Sara Broussard is a licensed professional counselor and a registered dance movement therapist with over six years of diverse counseling experience. She earned her BA in Religion from Mount Holyoke College, and her MA in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago. She incorporates expressive movement and body-based interventions into talk therapy sessions. She works with folks who have disconnected from their bodies in order to cope with stress, trauma, and societal expectations. Sara offers a safe, non-judgmental space to heal the mind, body, and spirit. In addition to counseling, Sara is a yoga instructor. She loves practicing yoga in the sunshine, camping in the Texas hill country, spending time with her partner and rescue dog, and cheering for the San Antonio Spurs.

James M. Gemino

Jennifer Arce

Lead Clinical Assistant

About

Jennifer is excited to serve as a clinical assistant and often joins sessions to assist the clinical team with various needs. Her favorite part of being a member of the BCC team is engaging with clients to work on goal setting and supporting them in their journeys to achieve those goals. She also enjoys her role of working with clients to track their progress throughout the program. Jennifer is currently completing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas in San Antonio and is eager to begin working as a licensed counselor. She is passionate about meeting new people, learning their stories, and hopes to inspire success and fulfillment in everyone she has the privilege of working with. Apart from her time at BCC and in school, Jennifer loves spending time with her family and friends and travels as often as she can. She is eager to spend time getting to know everyone who comes to BCC and hopes they will find it to be the inviting and special place it has become for her. 

 Christi Brooks LPC-I

Marissa Villarreal

Clinical Assistant

About

Marissa is from a small town in Midlothian, Texas which is just a few minutes south of Dallas, Texas. She graduated as a first-generation student at the University of Texas at San Antonio with her Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Her goals, values, and making her family proud have pushed her towards continuing her education and graduating May 2023 with her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and hopes to obtain her LPC. Marissa loves being a part of the BCC family as she offers guidance, support and assistance with clients and her team. Her passion is to live open-minded, lead with spirit and dedication, and to always strive on doing the right thing. Her goals are to help navigate each and every client she meets while helping them through their journey at BCC and helping them form a strong foundation towards their own successes. Aside from her studies and career dedication, Marissa loves spending time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include a variety of things from dancing, to arts and crafts, enjoying the outdoors, going on adventures, and even staying in to just watch movies. Marissa is passionate about helping each and every client she encounters, hoping to leave long lasting positive impacts on the clients and her team.

Culinary

George Cram

Head Chef

About

George Cram is a recent graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has trained in some of the most popular restaurants in San Antonio; his skills and experience range from high-end dining to brunch. George is also proud to be an Eagle Scout and knows to always be prepared. Whether planning a complex multiple-course menu with drink pairings or fixing something simple with on-hand ingredients, he approaches tasks with ease and comfort. George is just as passionate about learning new techniques and methods as he is about sharing his knowledge and culinary expertise with BCC clientele. 

Medical

Chasley Fortune

Alicia Coderoni, RN, NC-BC

Holistic Nurse Health Coach

About
Alicia Coderoni, has been a registered nurse since 2016 and enjoys working closely with her patients helping them reach their health goals through a holistic lens.  She recently has become a Nurse coach to enhance her practice and help facilitate a closer patient relationship. She is originally from NJ and moved to Texas 12 years ago. She is a mom of a 14 year old girl and two 6 year old mini Schnauzers. She loves listening to music, being outdoors and spending time with her family at the beach.

Administrative

Toi Butler

Todd McCord

President

About

Having worked previously in the insurance and energy sectors, Todd set out in 2020 pursuing an entrepreneurial path that would have a more direct community impact in his home state, specifically helping people in need meaningfully change and improve their lives.  In the midst of the pandemic in the summer of 2020, Todd took the helm of the Bariatric Counseling Center.  No work in his life has been more humbling and fulfilling than supporting the gifted and compassionate team at the Bariatric Counseling Center as they provide life-changing care and education to the center’s clients.  Todd is passionate about supporting the Center as it furthers its mission and grows in outreach throughout greater San Antonio and across Texas. 

Teresa Tipton

Autumn Hernandez

Director of Admissions

About

Autumn is the smiling face or the helpful person you reach when you call the Center or as most patients like to call her “the one who sends the emails”. She works with Intake team and the clinical team to coordinate admissions and client schedules. Autumn loves Sharks and her hobbies include hanging out with my family and friends, reading, swimming, and preaching. She looks forward to meeting each client and hopes to make your experience at BCC more enjoyable.

Autumn Hernandez

Leloni Gonzales

Referral & Marketing Coordinator

About

Hello! My name is Leloni, and I am a part of the intake team here at BCC. I am the sweet and friendly voice you will hear when you call to schedule an appointment or inquire about services. I love butterflies and monkeys, and I enjoy shopping or playing soccer with my daughter. I have been described as a compassionate, outgoing, and loving individual who will always strive to help those in need. I look forward to supporting each and every client as they go through their journey!

Facility

From the very beginning, we set out to create an environment that is as comfortable as it is functional. Designed specifically to accommodate people of size, our therapy and counseling areas have a warm, welcoming ambiance. Our executive chef teaches healthy cooking in our teaching kitchen, which is on par with culinary schools around the country. We want our clients to be excited about enjoyable healthy options, avoiding the feelings of deprivation that often accompany the diets that lead to failure.

We also offer telehealth services to clients throughout Texas over our HIPPA compliant platform that enables them to participate in all programming virtually, as if they were present.

If you feel that our program is right for you, we encourage you to visit our facility. Contact us to arrange a tour so you can see firsthand the caring environment and positive results that await our patients.

Bariatric Counseling Center Lobby
Bariatric Counseling Center Kitchen
Bariatric Counseling Center Kitchen Corner
Bariatric Counseling Center Kitchen
Bariatric Counseling Center Dining Room
Bariatric Counseling Center Dining Room