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.

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

Marie Lewis LPC

Outpatient Therapist 

About

Marie Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor earning her master’s in clinical Mental Counseling from Troy University and is currently a Doctoral Student with Northcentral University. Before becoming a Therapist, Marie was a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, who served honorably for 24 years. She was a Paralegal, Navy Master Training Specialist, and Military Guidance Counselor.

Marie specializes in Military Marriage and Family Therapy and regularly attends training sessions to showcase education and certification techniques. Her areas of focus are mental, emotional, and behavioral issues in a variety of healthcare settings. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking, she enjoys working with families, individuals, groups and couples on issues ranging from substance abuse, psychoanalysis, and learning disability counseling. Marie enjoys exercising, traveling and spending time with her husband and family.

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

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.
 Christi Brooks LPC-I

Stephanie Valdez-Herrera, LPC, CCH

Therapist

About

Hello! My name is Stephanie Valdez-Herrera. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2012. Since then, I’ve competed EMDR Basic Training by Rick Levinson in 2018, as well as, completed training to become a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist from The Wellness Institute in late 2019. My passion for growth and education continues as I am currently in training to become a Certified Sound Bath Practitioner in the Auster Sound Method with Sara Auster which is expected to be completed April 2023.

My passion is to help clients achieve their goals and help guide them in reaching their full potential by providing a safe and non- judgmental environment, by tailoring services to the client’s specific need, and by implementing a Person- Centered and Holistic Approach.

My experience and history includes working with various populations to include but not limited to domestic violence (primarily men who batter), chronic illness, LGBTQIA+, and CPS families. Areas of focus includes Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, trauma, life transitions, and building healthy relationships to name a few.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 beautiful children. I’m also a huge music lover and enjoys a great concert from time to time to relax, unwind, and let go.

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.

Dietary  

Chasley Fortune

Chasley Fortune

Director of Dietary Services

Registered 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

Registered 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.    

Culinary & Movement

Dr. Kimberly Tovar, PT, DPT

Sam Martinez

Kinesiologist, Chef, Nutritionist

About

We are excited to welcome Sam Martinez to the team as the new Assistant Chef. Having recently graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and with a background as both a Nutritionist and Kinesiologist, Sam brings a wealth of culinary, dietary, and movement knowledge to the BCC team. 

Sam joins Byron Young, BCC’s Executive Chef, in the state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, educating BCC’s clients on food preparation and meal planning that is healthy while also being tasty, cost effective, and time effective to prepare.  The culinary team instills food preparation skills that are both realistic and sustainable, so clients have the tools to succeed with their dietary improvements long after they leave the program.

Administrative

Toi Butler

Leloni Gonzales

Referral & Marketing Coordinator

About

Hello! My name is Leloni, and I am apart 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!

Teresa Tipton

Jennifer Arce

Lead Program 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. 

Autumn Hernandez

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.
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. 

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