At Esperanza Eating Disorders Center, our goal is to provide a supportive, empowering environment for eating disorder recovery. Our team of experienced, multidisciplinary clinicians utilize evidence-based treatment approaches to provide individuals with a wide range of skills and healthy coping behaviors to guide them to a life of fulfilling recovery. As a locally owned facility, Esperanza is able to provide individualized care plans that are both effective and flexible.
Our cornerstone philosophy is Recovery by Doing. Patients do not just hear about what to do, they get hands-on experience doing recovery. Integrative therapies as well as grocery shopping, cooking and plating their own meals and activities like restaurant outings are all part of our hands-on approach to healing.
We look forward to doing recovery with families and professionals in the South Texas community.
Contact us at (210) 253-9763 to take the first step.
With Shared Hope,
Susan C. Mengden, PhD
Certified Eating Disorders Specialist/iaedpTM Approved Consultant
Certified Group Psychotherapist
Founder and Executive Director
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
At Esperanza Eating Disorders Center, we believe healing cannot exist without acceptance. We aim to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where diversity is celebrated, and every patient can receive care grounded in dignity and respect. We recognize that eating disorders affect people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences, and we strive to create a compassionate, inclusive, and supportive space where every person is respected, heard, and valued.
Our approach to care is centered around understanding and honoring the unique needs of individuals from diverse communities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, body size, and cultural background. We strongly believe in providing equitable access to treatment, ensuring that all individuals receive the care they deserve; care that celebrates and honors their identities. From intake to discharge, we collaborate with patients to identify and meet the needs associated with their intersecting identities. Some of our healthcare equity efforts include helping patients access funds for treatment and grocery costs, providing LGBTQIA+ affirming spaces, facilitating access to a free clothing closet for patients of all sizes/genders, and assisting patients in developing budgeting skills.
As treatment providers, a key part of our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is respecting body size diversity and promoting body liberation. We are dedicated to creating a space that challenges harmful body ideals and weight stigma so that our patients can cultivate relationships with their bodies that are free from shame and judgment.
As a staff, we are committed to educating ourselves and our community about the impact of systemic inequality, bias, and the harmful effects of stigmatization. We seek out, host, and attend trainings on topics including antiracism in eating disorder treatment, the impacts of microaggressions in group therapy, body size inclusivity in body image work, substance use, and assisting patients in accessing community resources. We continuously work to challenge these issues to create an environment where people of all backgrounds feel seen, valued, and empowered on their recovery journey. We engage in this work, not only to ensure patients receive compassionate and inclusive care but also to promote social justice in the broader community.
Emily Prentice, LMSW | DEI Committee Chair