Meadows
Behavioral Healthcare announced today that Jenni Schaefer has joined
the organization as a Senior Fellow for its continuum of treatment
services and advocate for its specialty eating disorder program, The
Meadows Ranch.
Meadows
Behavioral Healthcare announced today that Jenni Schaefer has joined
the organization as a Senior Fellow for its continuum of treatment
services and advocate for its specialty eating disorder program, The
Meadows Ranch. In this role, Schaefer will be instrumental in
supporting the program’s leading-edge approach to neurobehavioral
health treatment, which is integrated with trauma services. She will
also share her knowledge, experience, and expertise with patients and
staff.
Schaefer
graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University with a degree
in biochemistry and knows first-hand the devastating consequences of
an eating disorder. Since recovering from her own eating disorder,
she has carried her message of self-acceptance and triumph over
adversity to the public.
Schaefer
has authored several books, including Life Without Ed: How One Woman
Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too,
and contributed to anthologies like the Chicken Soup for the Soul
series. She is a sought-after speaker on addiction and food
disorders, relationships, depression, and career. She has appeared on
Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, The Today Show and Entertainment Tonight, as well
as in print coverage from Cosmopolitan and The New York Times. She is
a blogger for The Huffington Post, and her work has appeared in
Publisher’s Weekly, The Chicago Tribune, Glamour, Shape, The
Washington Times, Woman’s World, Seventeen, and more.
“Jenni
is a multi-faceted individual and has a real passion for helping
people overcome adversity and flourish in life,” said Sean Walsh,
CEO of Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. “Her personal experience and
knowledge of eating disorders and trauma, along with her high-energy
message of the power of self-acceptance in overcoming self-sabotage,
is a great lesson that will benefit the patients we help every day at
The
Meadows Ranch.”
Schaefer
is Chair of the Ambassadors Council of the National Eating Disorders
Association (NEDA) and recipient of their Westin Family Award for
Excellence in Advocacy and Activism. She is a member of the
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, the
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and of the
Academy of Eating Disorders.
“After
battling the debilitating effects of both an eating
disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, I now know that a
deep healing is possible. I am incredibly grateful that my role as
Senior Fellow will give me the chance to share this hope with others:
recovery happens, and life can unfold in the most incredible,
unimaginable ways,” Schaefer said. “Joining the team at The
Meadows Ranch, alongside many of my heroes in the mental health
field, is such a full circle—and surreal—story for me. Years ago,
another Senior Fellow’s book, Dr. Peter Levine’s Waking the
Tiger, provided me with the clarity and inspiration that I needed to
face my own trauma. I am deeply honored to work with a program and
team that I have admired ever since I began my work as an advocate.”
About
Meadows Behavioral Healthcare
Meadows
Behavioral Healthcare is the industry leader in providing treatment
for people struggling with addiction, eating disorders, trauma, and
related mental health conditions through its advanced integrated
trauma resolution approach. The company’s programs — The
Meadows, Claudia
Black Young Adult Center, Gentle
Path at The Meadows, Willow
House at The Meadows, The
Meadows Ranch, The
Meadows Outpatient Center, and a variety of intensive workshops
offered at Rio Retreat Center — are the premier choice for
patients, families, and behavioral health professionals.
