Author Archives: Dunn Firm - Morgan Claire Dunn

BMI … Barely Medically Important

In the past few years, the State of Colorado and the American Medical Association reviewed the use of BMI, (Body Mass Index, or perhaps it should be known as Barely Medically Important) as a tool to measure health.

The Colorado legislature implemented a new law. 

The AMA adopted a new policy on how BMI should be used as a measure in medicine.

Both instances represent a more thorough understanding of health, eating disorders and medical and mental health issues. And they are both good starts. But as in all things, there are issues.

American Medical Association

In June 2023, the AMA adopted a new policy clarifying the role of BMI as a measure of medicine.  Aspects of the policy can be found here:

https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/ama-use-bmi-alone-imperfect-clinical-measure#

In short, the policy states, “Under the newly adopted policy, the AMA recognizes issues with using BMI as a measurement due to its historical harm, its use for racist exclusion, and because BMI is based primarily on data collected from previous generations of non-Hispanic white populations. Due to significant limitations associated with the widespread use of BMI in clinical settings, the AMA suggests that it be used in conjunction with other valid measures of risk such as, but not limited to, measurements of visceral fat, body adiposity index, body composition, relative fat mass, waist circumference and genetic/metabolic factors. The policy noted that BMI is significantly correlated with the amount of fat mass in the general population but loses predictability when applied on the individual level.”

The AMA also modified existing policy on eating disorders calling on the AMA to:

Encourage training of all school-based physicians, counselors, coaches, trainers, teachers and nurses to recognize abnormal eating behaviors, dieting and weight-restrictive behaviors in children and adolescents and to offer education and appropriate referral of adolescents and their families for evidence-based and culturally informed interventional counseling, and;

Consulting with appropriate, culturally informed educational and counseling materials pertaining to abnormal eating behaviors, dieting and weight-restrictive behaviors.

Interesting and somewhat forward-thinking policies which have been debated for quite some time in the eating disorder community.

The Colorado Law

According to data sourced from the Center for Disease Control, Colorado ranks as the second healthiest state in the United States. Its high ranking is attributed to its active lifestyle culture, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, and a strong focus on healthy eating. It is also known for having a number of tree hugging, Birkenstock wearing, pot smoking, hippie libruls. [I kind of respect that last aspect.]

With its liberal politics and lifestyle and focus on health, it should come as no surprise that Colorado politicians wanted to do away with the much criticized BMI as an indicator of health. And so, the Colorado legislature passed a bill which greatly limited the use of BMI

This bill can be found here:

Click to access 2023a_176_signed.pdf

If you can work your way through this bill and then reach a place of partial understanding, there is much to embrace.  And much which provides confusion.

On the one hand, the some of the substance of the bill states, “… SHALL NOT UTILIZE THE BODY MASS INDEX, IDEAL BODY WEIGHT, OR ANY OTHER STANDARD REQUIRING AN ACHIEVED WEIGHT WHEN DETERMINING MEDICAL NECESSITY OR THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH AN EATING DISORDER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BULIMIA NERVOSA, ATYPICAL ANOREXIA NERVOSA, BINGE-EATING DISORDER, AVOIDANT RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDER, AND OTHER SPECIFIED FEEDING AND EATING DISORDERS AS DEFINED IN THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS.

But then, the next part of the bill states, “SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY WHEN DETERMINING MEDICAL NECESSITY OR THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA, RESTRICTING SUBTYPE, OR BINGE-EATING/PURGING SUBTYPE; HOWEVER, BODY MASS INDEX, IDEAL BODY WEIGHT, OR ANY OTHER STANDARD REQUIRING AN ACHIEVED BODY WEIGHT MUST NOT BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR WHEN ASSESSING MEDICAL NECESSITY OR THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA, RESTRICTING SUBTYPE, OR BINGE-EATING/PURGING SUBTYPE.”

Ok, so I am a reasonably intelligent human being. But, what in the blue hell does the language of the bill mean? On the one hand, BMI, ideal body weight or any other standard requiring an achieved weight can only be applied to anorexia nervosa – restricting subtype and binge-eating/purging subtype so long as they are not the determining factor? Well, that doesn’t seem too vague, confusing and subject to interpretation!

It would also appear as if the bill, albeit well intentioned is having adverse effects.  Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, the Regional Medical Director for the Mountain and West regions at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center was interviewed by an NBC news local affiliate. This interview can be found here:

https://www.9news.com/article/news/health/doctor-warns-law-designed-to-expand-eating-disorder-treatments-creating-barrier-to-care/73-9ac527d4-9d38-4d67-b212-6067fe53d714

In the interview, Dr. Wassenaar stated:

“On face value, I 100% agree with this legislation,” Wassenaar said. “I absolutely want to see every person who needs eating disorder treatment be able to access it.  And I never want to see someone be discriminated against because of the size of their body, especially when it comes to receiving care for their eating disorder.”

“Unfortunately, what we are seeing is that patients who are in small bodies who are malnourished are actually being excluded from care or being asked to step down before they are ready because we can’t consider their degree of malnutrition as a part of their degree of severity of illness.”

“And the reality is when you have a statute that makes this sort of determination, then it takes the decision out of the hands of the medical providers who are taking care of people with these patients.”

Indeed.

Which brings up the seminal question …

The Question

With BMI being an incredibly troubling issue regarding its use (or non-use) with eating disorders, why hasn’t a definitive policy or statement been released from experts in the eating disorder community? A unified, collaborative statement so strong, so authoritative, that legislatures, organizations and health insurance providers alike adopt it as THE definitive word on BMI.

After all, the research, study and treatment of eating disorders are the raison d’être for our experts’ existence.

Shouldn’t the continued existence of BMI, or the genesis of its demise lie with the recognized experts in the eating disorder community? Those who study it and either use it or decry it as a diagnostic tool.

Envision if you will, some of the most renowned experts worldwide in the field of eating disorders coming together to brainstorm, to share research and ideas. And then issuing a comprehensive study supported by all of the eating disorder organizations and treatment entities. Including representatives from the health insurance industry.

If ever a time existed for this wisdom, this type of collaboration, this coming together as one, that time is now.

And so, the last question is … who is going to step to the plate and turn this into a reality?

HOUSTON … WE HAVE A PROBLEM

On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Houston Eating Disorder Specialists (HEDS) organization was scheduled to hold a seminar entitled, “The Ethics of Modern Eating Disorder Care … Exploring Nuances and Opposing Perspectives.” [Stay tuned for irony in its most quintessential form.]

A few of the topics to be covered included “Healing Beneath the Surface: Psychedelics and Eating Disorder Recovery” and “GLP medications & Body Autonomy: Considerations for HAES providers.”

To conclude the day, Gloria Lucas was scheduled to make a keynote presentation. And that is when life, social injustice and radicalism got in the way, the wheels came flying off and the car went soaring off the cliff Thelma & Louise style.

Now, I have not met nor spoken with Ms. Lucas. I don’t believe I have read any material authored by Ms. Lucas. I have no opinion about Ms. Lucas.  But apparently many people in the eating disorder community do have an opinion. Boy howdy do they!

Apparently, quite a bit of the vitriol directed at Ms. Lucas is focused on that incredibly crucial, foundational, all-encompassing eating disorder issue … the current war in the Gaza Strip and whether you are an “anti-Semite.”

Admittedly, I am not nearly erudite enough to be able to connect the dots between our loved ones who are suffering and dying from eating disorders and the hate filled diatribe that has been going on for thousands of years in the Middle East. But there must be some connection!

Surely eating disorder professionals would not place importance and emphasis on their views about who is being oppressed half a world away over the needs of their patients! Surely, we can all agree that the care and treatment of people who are suffering, people with whom we can have a direct impact predominate over our social injustice views! 

Yeah!

Uh … No.

Again apparently, a number of treatment providers view Ms. Lucas as ill-informed. The term “anti-Semite” has been directed toward Ms. Lucas. Come on now people! Where is the compassion and understanding? Perhaps Ms. Lucas simply now identifies as a Palestinian. [As an aside, I cannot take credit for that astute observation.]

Her selection as a keynote speaker addressing the topic of … well, we don’t really know since the topic is not listed, raised quite a bit of angst and consternation. So much so that a petition, (No, not that! A petition!) was started demanding that Ms. Lucas be removed as the keynote speaker.

In one of the closed Facebook groups, the following exchange took place:

From XXX-CT: “what a world we inhabit nowadays that has somehow dragged eating disorders into this.”

Lucas (Keynote speaker) response: “XXX-CT… Eat my ass.”

Allegedly, Ms. Lucas also stated that a group of people are, “fake ass liberatory eating disorder professionals.”

Now, I am not exactly sure what a “fake ass liberatory eating disorder professional” is. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? However, Ms. Lucas’ repeated use of the word “ass” is curious. Perhaps Ms. Lucas actually now identifies as a Palestinian ass.

Finally, this tempest in a tea pot began swirling with such great fervor that bold, direct action needed to be taken. So, HEDS made the difficult, if not responsible decision to replace Ms. Lucas with another speaker. After all, eating disorders should not be subject to the whims of a controversial person with no degrees and no licenses, speaking for 90 minutes about an undisclosed topic to a crowd measuring in the tens. And the needs of HEDS members and the expectations of sponsors and exhibitors must come first. As Commander Spock once said:

And so, Ms. Lucas was replaced, and the show must go on.

Ok… I jest. Au contraire Pierre!

HEDS made the decision to stick with Ms. Lucas as a keynote speaker on the topic of … well, who knows. And the outcry grew louder.

Finally, HEDS made the decision to cancel the entire seminar/conference. I believe just two days before the event.

Reportedly, HEDS cancelation notice included this remark: “Our priority is the well-being and security of everyone involved, and after careful consideration, we feel it is not possible to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for the conference at this time.”

So, the presenters who presumably spent hours in preparation are out of luck.

The exhibitors, some of whom came in from out of state and who contributed financially are out of luck.

The persons who planned and paid to attend are out of luck.

The sponsors, some of whom are Equip, Monte Nido, Laurette, Center for Change, Within and even one named, “Sorry No Image Available” …

But HEDS lacked the awareness to understand that whereas, its sponsors on the surface are eating disorder organizations, most of them are owned by private equity companies or corporations. These entities look for a return on their investment of money, effort and time. In choosing a clearly unqualified person to be their keynote speaker to speak on whatever topic that person chose, HEDS wasted all three elements. So, the question HEDS needs to ask itself  is, why do they realistically believe that any of these sponsors will ever support their organization again?

Just when you think the eating disorder community has hit an all time low, it doesn’t disappoint and sinks to an even deeper level of ridiculous pandemonium in the sandbox.

HEDS chose a path of supporting one speaker and her echo chamber followers. In doing so, it turned its back on the eating disorder community. HEDS’ message is, “Our social injustice clown show is more important than educating professionals or helping treatment providers or saving lives!”

And perhaps, seeing the escalating controversy and unpopularity of her speaking, Ms. Lucas could have said, “I must always place the needs of the community above my own ego. I see that I am too controversial for this particular function and I must respectfully withdraw from participating. I look forward to reaching a deeper understanding with everyone in the community with the hope that we can strive forward together so that we can accomplish our shared goal, that is, helping as many people as we can and saving as many lives as we can.”

Yeah… right.

Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. A conference entitled, “The Ethics of Modern Eating Disorder Care: Exploring Nuances and Opposing Perspectives” fell flat on its face before it even started because HEDS could not and did not embrace opposing perspectives. Irony … they name is HEDS.

It seems like the only positive aspect that came out of this clown show was that HEDS did not list Acadia Healthcare as a sponsor.  Then again, perhaps Acadia Healthcare, with all its corruption and vice, looked upon HEDS as being beyond redemption and wanted nothing to do with them. And wouldn’t that be something.

Happy 2025 Eating Disorder Awareness Week!

AWARENESS WITHOUT ACTION EQUATES TO FAILURE

Awareness.

Awareness.

Have you ever wondered what comes after awareness?

In any event, once again it is Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025. Almost all eating disorder organizations and treatment providers will be mentioning this on their social media outlets.

Some buildings will be lit in the blue and green colors adopted by NEDA. This is the St. Louis Planetarium complete with statue in the shape of what society deems an anorexic body type:

Did I just body shame a statue?

Some therapists and advocates, treatment centers and organizations will hold special “virtual” sessions highlighting their pet eating disorder interest. People self-identifying as experts will pontificate on many and varyed aspects of eating disorders. The same radical tired voices will repeat the same radical tired messages to the same radical tired crowd measuring in the tens of people.

As in year’s past, the eating disorder community will feel good about itself for the week, will pat itself on the back and then … will slink back to its customary irrelevancy in the medical and mental health fields. Next year will be rinse and repeat. Or as Herman’s Hermits once sang, “Second verse same as the first.”

However, this year is different. For a number of reasons. These reasons threaten to not just shake but could very well crumble the very foundation of the eating disorder community. Not surprisingly, these reasons and issues will not be discussed this week and the community will ignore its awareness of these issues.

These issues will not be discussed in part because the issues are just too difficult. They are uncomfortable. In addition, the firmly entrenched corruption and rot in the community will mandate that some of the issues be ignored. When for a price, even the most reprehensible predator can buy a place at the table.  Regardless, the issues are incredibly serious and require serious people with serious IQs to ponder and then take rational, serious action.

Let’s review some of these serious issues.

NIH funding collapsing

On Friday, February 7, 2025, the National Institute of Health (“NIH”) announced it was pausing all grant funding pending review and placing a 15% cap on funding “indirect research costs.” Indirect costs, also known as facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, are used to cover research expenses such as equipment and facilities maintenance, IT services, and administrative support.

The freeze has impacted the funding of all continuing grants at NIH. These grants fund ongoing research, including many studies involving human subjects in clinical trials. Universities are already reacting in a manner consistent with believing that those funding grants will not be reinstated. Some universities have already frozen hiring and taken other budgetary measures. These measures include a spending freeze on travel, procurement, capital projects and events.

So, how will this impact the eating disorder community? University based eating disorder professionals are likely to have their budgets slashed making travel to conferences unlikely. This includes travel to San Antonio for the ICED conference. This could also include a reduction in membership in AED. With AED’s financial woes already being very deep, a steep decrease in membership and low attendance at its ICED event could be the death knell for that organization.

But more importantly, this issue means that there will be significantly less research conducted into our understanding of the biological and genetic aspects of eating disorders. Possible state of the art treatment requiring a research basis will not be experimented upon and implemented. “Evidence-based” will become an even greater cartoon slogan.

Which will result in the mortality rate continuing to climb.

At least we now have awareness on that issue.

Iaedp

Iaedp’s many issues and problems have been highlighted for over a year. Tax fraud. Forgery on official documents. An overall lack of transparency. Possible violations of antitrust laws regarding the certification process. I understand that attendance at the recently concluded Symposium was disappointing.

A class action lawsuit hanging over its head.

A number of chapters have dissolved.

Rumors that the 2026 Symposium will be virtual.  Perhaps because of a lack of funds? After hosting an in-person conference for a number of years, a virtual conference means virtually nothing.

All of which makes iaedp’s continued survival problematic. And if iaedp does not survive, what of the certification process? Would that mean we are left with another certification process which starts out with an idiotic Indigenous Persons land use acknowledgement? Because nothing says “eating disorders and the highest quality certification process” like an Indigenous Persons Land Use Acknowledgement!

At least we have awareness on these issues now.

Residential Treatment Center issues

The great eating disorder residential treatment center experiment appears to be floundering.

Recently, Castlewood (Make no mistake, it was Castlewood all along. Alsana was merely its pasteboard mask.) closed its operations in the State of Missouri … where it all began. Now, Alsana may find itself having issues with the California Medical Board for the unauthorized practice of medicine in that state.

Acadia shuttered Timberline Knolls after numerous issues and abuse came to light.

Cielo House.  Shoreline Center. Fairhaven. Evolve. All closed.

Some of the residential treatment centers which remain open seem to be exploring adopting an addiction treatment model.

Accanto Health’s CEO, Dr. Tom Britton is the former CEO of American Addiction Centers. Accanto Health owns the Emily Program. Information has been circulating that medical doctors at Accanto Health/Emily Program have been laid off or asked to take lesser roles.

Virtual treatment programs, with no independent, third-party studies supporting their efficiency have sprung up and their growing presence cannot be denied. They are less expensive to operate. Purportedly, the growing influence of virtual programs is impacting attendance at residential treatment centers.

At least we have awareness of these issues now.

Acadia Healthcare

Then, there is Acadia Healthcare.  I once wondered why treatment centers and organizations were not incensed at the harm being perpetrated by Acadia. Why they did not stand up for the vulnerable and hold Acadia accountable. Of course, the answer is obvious.

They have accepted money from Acadia Healthcare. They are bought and paid for consorts for Acadia.

Since iaedp did not have enough troubles, at its recent symposium, one of its primary sponsors was Acadia Healthcare.

The National Alliance on Eating Disorders lists Acadia Healthcare as one of its “Diamond Supporters.” [its highest level]

Montecatini, McCallum Place and Carolina House are not going to stand up. They live on their knees subservient to the whims of its overlord and master, Acadia.

Acadia, knowing the eating disorder community is long on radicalism and short on common sense, embedded itself by throwing money around. It was an effective strategy. And it still is.

And to think at one time, AED would not accept money from any pharmaceutical company or health and wellness company because of concerns about conflicting interests.

Sadly, when an organization accepts dirty money, it acquiesces to whatever heinous acts are being perpetrated by the predator.

And so, we have that awareness now too!

Many other issues about which we need to be aware

Many other serious issues exist which plague the eating disorder community.

No generally accepted standards of care. 

No collaboration with any medical or mental health communities to speak of.

No collaboration within the eating disorder community.

When was the last time NEDA, iaedp, AED and the other entities got together and stated, “Enough is enough. We are going to hold a joint conference. We are going to collaborate. We cannot have true progress if we remain separate and instead, we must collaborate. But, egos prevent that.

Ai is to be feared and cancelled.

Eating disorder legislative bills to increase research funding?  Nope.

Then there is the beating of the drums by the Militant Fat Activists who have been allowed to poison the community with their own unique brand of craziness.

How many times have we read or heard that pediatricians, medical doctors and other medical professionals do not understand eating disorders and do not know what to look for? That lack of awareness falls on the shoulders of the eating disorder community.

The eating disorder community has had over ten (10) plus years to accomplish that! Instead?  They failed. Completely. Miserably.

So, we go back to awareness?  Awareness of what? Our own failures?

A focus on awareness has only resulted in failure. And this failure is measured by the lives of more children, adolescents and loved ones being taken.

The next step in awareness is … taking action. Since awareness without action is only cowardice and ignorance.

Ordinarily I would hope that at this time next year, we will be embracing Eating Disorder Action Week. But when as a community you instead embrace the known predators in the community, you have destroyed the hope which must exist within families.

So, ring in the new year. I am sure Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2026 will be the same vacuous song and dance.

The same radical tired voices will repeat the same radical tired messages to the same radical tired crowd measuring in the tens of people.

As the predators increase their profit margin, our children will continue to die.

Happy Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025.

WE … DO … NOT … CARE

The 2025 iaedp symposium has started in Palm Desert, California. Its first symposium since parting ways with Bonnie Harken.

I have been a very open critic of iaedp. I have also been a very open, and apparently, sole critic of Acadia Healthcare. I have set forth the corruption and fraud perpetrated by Acadia. I have highlighted the reprehensible acts perpetrated under the non-watchful eyes of Acadia… rape, sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, fraud against the Veteran’s Administration, fraud involving Medicare and Medicaid, fraud against their very own shareholders. Children and adolescents being abused. Paying hundreds of millions of dollars to satisfy judgments rendered against it and its subsidiaries. Closing Timberline Knolls.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the eating disorder community has risen as one and in a clear, unmistakable, loud voice shouted … “We don’t care. So long as you keep paying us money … We do not care!”

Iaedp had the opportunity to conduct a due diligence investigation into Acadia’s misconduct. It would not have taken long.  The horrific conduct perpetrated by Acadia is readily found on the internet. In addition, I have sent articles detailing Acadia’s bad faith conduct to iaedp chapters.

As such, iaedp can no longer say, “we did not know.” It does not even have implausible deniability.

Therefore, I was not at all surprised to see, on iaedp’s Facebook page, the day before its symposium began, the following:

 iaedp Foundation

It’s #ThankfulThursday! We are highlighting #iaedp2025 bronze partner Acadia Healthcare.

Acadia Healthcare’s comprehensive eating disorder treatment network provides specialized care across four premier facilities offering Residential, Partial Hospitalization, and Intensive Outpatient levels of care. Carolina House (NC) offers a tranquil, homelike setting for individuals 17+ seeking ED and MH care. McCallum Place (MO) combines medical and psychiatric expertise with personalized care for ages 10+ featuring the Victory Program for athletes and performance-driven individuals. Montecatini (CA), provides tailored programming and ocean-side healing for female-identifying and nonbinary individuals ages 12+. The Refuge (FL) integrates trauma-focused therapy with ED recovery for adults in a serene environment.

Strangely, nothing is said about the closure of Timberline Knolls. Nothing is said about the numerous young women at Timberline Knolls who have been so scarred by Acadia/Timberline Knolls. Nothing is said about the corruption.

Instead, the only sounds you will hear are … iaedp ringing its cash register with Acadia’s dirty money … and the anguished cries of the victims of Acadia’s greed and callous, criminal conduct.

IAEDP … WELCOME TO EPSTEIN ISLAND


Jeffrey Epstein’s international sex trafficking ring was based on his private island in the US Virgin Islands. The conduct of Epstein and his collaborators was horrific and evidenced the worst in human behavior. Those who visited the island, or for that matter, anyone who even associated with Epstein once news of his misconduct began to surface were looked upon as being complicit.

The consequences of being complicit are playing out in courtrooms. As they often do.

The US Virgin Islands sued JPMorgan Chase alleging that Chase facilitated and benefitted from the sex trafficking of young women. Chase filed a counterclaim alleging, “… the US. Virgin Islands was ‘complicit in the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein,’” saying the sex predator gave high-ranking officials money, advice and favors in exchange for looking the other way. The parties settled the case with Chase paying $75 million. Of that amount, $55 million was directed to charities in the US Virgin Islands.  [emphasis added]

Twelve (12) victims of Epstein’s filth sued the FBI for the FBI’s “repeated and continued failures, delays and inaction” which allowed Epstein to continue his sex trafficking operation for more than 20 years. [emphasis added]

The German bank, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $75 million to victims of Epstein after the victims filed suit.  They alleged the bank was complicit in the sex trafficking and chose profit over following the law. [emphasis added]

Epstein’s victims sued Epstein’s personal attorney and accountant alleging that those two professionals were complicit by continuing to conduct business with Epstein and provided additional means by which Epstein could continue his monstrous conduct even after having actual knowledge of his misconduct.

Epstein’s victims sued JPMorgan Chase alleging it was complicit with Epstein allowing him to continue his horrific conduct.  Documents produced in the case showed that JPMorgan ignored internal warnings and overlooked red flags about Epstein because he had been a valuable client. As a result, JPMorgan paid $290 million in a settlement agreement to the victims.

A press release from JPMorgan to NPR stated: “We all now understand that Epstein’s behavior was monstrous, and we believe this settlement is in the best interest of all parties, especially the survivors, who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of this man. Any association with him was a mistake and we regret it. We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes.” [emphasis added]

A lesson learned from the Epstein corruption is that knowledge of reprehensible conduct and continued association with a predator equate to acquiescence and being complicit.

Which brings us to iaedp … and Acadia Healthcare. Acadia’s reprehensible conduct has been the subject of widespread publicity. As such, we can and must presume that iaedp has actual knowledge of Acadia’s many unethical and illegal activities.

So why then is iaedp pandering to Acadia, accepting Acadia’s dirty money and like an amoral courtesan, crawling into bed with them?

Iaedp holds its first Symposium AB (After Bonnie) beginning February 21, 2025. As with all organizations which hold a conference, iaedp solicits and receives money from sponsors.

The business relationship between an organization and sponsor should be symbiotic. The sponsoring company provides financial support, goods, or services to the event in exchange for various promotional benefits, such as brand visibility, logo placement, speaking opportunities, or access to the event’s audience. The organization receives funding.

Any reasonable organization would closely vet sponsors to ensure that the sponsors are reputable and have a shared or compatible vision and mission. This duty is incredibly important.

And yet, what are we to make of an organization which has knowledge of numerous instances of unethical, illegal and/or harmful conduct perpetrated by its main sponsor and yet still welcomes them with open arms?

On its Symposium page under sponsors, the very first sponsor listed is … Acadia Healthcare.

https://iaedpfoundation.com/events/2025-symposiu

This despite the fact iaedp has knowledge that Acadia was eviscerated by the Senate Finance Committee in a damning report in June 2024 evidencing deceit and systemic abuse of patients;

The New York Times published a comprehensive article evidencing that Acadia was committing many wrongful and/or unethical acts towards patients;

Acadia agreed to pay a $19.8 million fine to the Department of Justice and three states;

Acadia agreed to pay another $1.38 million to the United States because of Acadia’s misconduct directed toward employees;

The Veteran’s Administration announced it was conducting its own investigation into Acadia;

The New York Times published a second report on Acadia evidencing that Acadia methadone clinics fraudulently billed Medicaid and other insurers for therapy sessions that did not take place, some clinics accepted patients who were not addicted to opioids to boost patient volume, and dozens of current and former employees at Acadia clinics in 22 states told the Times the clinics sometimes failed to provide adequate counseling to patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder;

There are now at least four lawsuits filed against Acadia by disgruntled, angry investors. These lawsuits claim that Acadia, as a matter of its business practices and on a corporate wide basis, perpetrated widespread fraudulent acts and engaged in acts of misconduct and malfeasance;

In August of 2024, a civil case was filed alleging that one of Timberline Knolls employees raped a patient in May of last year;

Acadia agreed to pay $1,386,000 to the Securities Exchange Commission pursuant to a Cease-and-Desist Order entered on September 9, 2024. It was found that Acadia had, as a matter of its employment practices, violated rules permitting whistleblowers to receive a reward payment for reporting Acadia’s employment practices to the appropriate federal agency;

In May 2019, Acadia agreed to pay the federal government $17 million to settle allegations it defrauded Medicaid in West Virginia;

Since 2000, Acadia has paid approximately $49,000,000 in fines to federal and state agencies for other egregious conduct.

Rape. Sexual abuse. Emotional abuse. Mental Abuse. Fraud on the government. Fraud on families.

Acadia has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to settle lawsuits in which it was found liable for that reprehensible conduct.

And yet, iaedp still embraces Acadia Healthcare with open arms and accepts their dirty money.

With Epstein, banking institutions and third parties were, and are being held accountable as collaborators and being complicit. Because they continued to accept dirty money. Because they profited. Because of their inaction. Because of their association.

The exact same conduct exhibited by iaedp.

However, in the eating disorder community … there is no accountability nor consequences imposed for reprehensible conduct.

The following exchange is attributed [incorrectly] to Winston Churchill:

“Churchill: “Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?” Socialite: “My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course… “

Churchill: “Would you sleep with me for five pounds?”

Socialite: “Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!”

Churchill: “Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.”

Under Ms. Harken’s iron grip, iaedp through its own past misconduct (i.e., tax fraud, unfair and illegal certification program, filing forged documents with the Illinois Secretary of State) clearly established what it is.

So, we should not be surprised that iaedp has chosen to associate itself with one of the most corrupt mental health organizations in the United States. Through its association and acceptance of Acadia’s sponsorship dollars, iaedp is complicit in helping Acadia maintain whatever standing it has in the community.

Iaedp is willing to lie in bed with a corrupt entity so long as it is being paid. Which sounds very similar to the world’s oldest profession.

Now, iaedp has a choice to make. 

Does it stand with the families about whom it professes to care? Families in incredible pain?

Or like an amoral courtesan, does it continue to lie with ethically bankrupt predators like Acadia?

Sadly, we all know what iaedp is going to do.

Iaedp had opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to take a stance and at the very least, issue a statement strongly condemning Acadia’s repeated misconduct. Instead, iaedp chose to do nothing. It remained silent. It did nothing. That is … except taking Acadia’s dirty money and giving it a prominent place as a sponsor at its Symposium.

And we are left to wonder … as an amoral courtesan, how much dirty money did it take for iaedp to compromise all principles of decency and sell its soul … assuming it ever had one.

TAINTED MONEY AND THE HYPOCRISY OF THE CULT

Since the election of President Donald Trump, a tsunami of posts on social media have spewed forth fearing the end of the United States. Nostradamus, Sir Isaac Newton and Harold Camping would be proud.

Many of the histrionic social media posts come from people overwhelmed with fear. Often the cause of that fear is not identified. Nonetheless, the lamentation of irrational, fear-based people resound and has become a cultish siren song. Of course, that siren song ignores reason, logic and those pesky facts which get in the way of a good rant. For a fear-based cult, facts, reason and logic have been cancelled.

We can surmise that the cult’s fear seems to be directed solely against some unspoken conduct, or that person’s perception of some conduct perpetrated, or which may one day be perpetrated by President Trump and his administration. Facts be damned.

By way of example, the cult is blaming President Trump for Mexico entering into more extensive trade agreements with Argentina and Chile. This had to be Trump’s fault! Except … that opinion ignores the fact that trade discussions had been on-going for years, since at least 2019. Multi-national treaties take years to negotiate and finalize. Further, the agreements for which President Trump is being blamed were signed during President Biden’s administration.

But fear and victim mentality go hand in hand. In fact, irrational fear does nothing but expand victim mentality.

In a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, Peggy Noonan, renowned New York Times best-selling author and a speech writer for President Ronald Reagan had this to say about feminism and fear: “These people who see themselves as victims or portray that role in society now always say they’re scared. But equality. Being a grown up. Those things mean in part stand up for yourself, have rules, have expectations, enforce them. It means be an independent grown up. Not a victim, not a person who’s afraid.”

To exacerbate matters, that fear and victim mentality, combined with anger is being directed not just at President Trump, but the 77 million people who voted for him. Apparently, the fear mongering cult believes that every Republican is complicit in President Trump’s perceived misconduct.

When the legacy media speculated that many South Dakota citizens would become unemployed if tariffs against Canada were implemented, some in the cult stated they felt no sorrow for them. The lives of those American citizens would have been subject to greater pain. But the cult does not care.

63% of people in South Dakota voted for President Trump. The message being sent is if you voted for President Trump, you deserve all the pain and anguish which may be inflicted upon you. Even for those 37% who did not vote for him.

Their stated reasoning? FAFO. An acronym for “F*ck Around and Find Out.”

Imagine … feeling compassion for only those who voted the same way you did.

Some mental health professionals have even opined that they are considering not giving treatment to anyone who voted for President Trump. And they might not even refer those people to others who could render treatment.

The Academy for Eating Disorders publicly stated it supports its members who for political reasons, refuse to attend its international conference in San Antonio. Some Democratic eating disorder professionals are so wrapped in their own fear, tribal cloak of self-righteousness and idiocracy that they refuse to even travel to a “Red State” for the purpose of increasing their knowledge of eating disorders. Apparently, if you are a Republican and have an eating disorder … you are out of luck. You may as well do the honorable thing … and decrease the surplus population.

Imagine for a second… your tribal views, your radical views, your political party are all more important than saving the life of a person suffering from eating disorders. All because that person did not vote for your candidate.

But that is the reality.

FAFO.

At this point, the cult’s hypocrisy must surely be coming into greater focus. Ironically, the cult has become the very thing they hate the most. Fear, hate and irrationality have become their very identity. But there is more. Much more.

Many of those views, statements and beliefs are held by and define some people in the mental health community. The eating disorder community. Liaisons. Marketers. Therapists and counselors.

Professional therapists. The very people who society should be able to rely upon to address that very idiotic, closed minded, illogical, harmful cult-like thinking and behavior. The very persons who we should rely upon to provide clear thinking and hope for the future. To be the lone candle in the room filled with darkness and despair.

Instead, those so-called “professionals” are drowning in their own irrational fear, anger, hatred and tribal mentality.

Their neanderthal like thinking insults the complexities and subtle nuances of humanity. Complexities which make us all unique. Complexities which are far greater and more in depth than any pedantic binary decision making or our failing political system.

What is worse is that when actual corruption, when actual pain suffered by innocents, when actual horrific and shocking conduct happens in their mental health community… they do NOTHING. They remain silent.

They do NOTHING.

Overwhelming evidence exists that Acadia Healthcare, through its subsidiaries and employees, have committed acts of manslaughter (which they attempted to cover up), and rape, and sexual abuse, and mental abuse, and physical abuse and Medicaid fraud, and fraud against the Veteran’s Administration, and fraud against their shareholders and have closed treatment centers because they simply couldn’t make that center profitable. Or the problems were too big.

And the fear based, so-called mental health professionals cult does nothing… they do NOTHING!

They do not speak out against that corruption. They not just tolerate but acquiesce to that corruption! Even worse, mental health organizations continue to accept tainted money from Acadia Healthcare.

Whether to accept tainted money is not a new issue. One of the earlier ethical queries dates back to 1905 when John D. Rockefeller’s gift to the missionary arm of the Congregationalist Church was scrutinized.

This article explains the issue of tainted donations:

Tainted Money and Tainted Donors: A Growing Crisis?

Organizations are not without resources to help navigate the issue of tainted money. Regulators in the UK have developed some detailed, actionable guidelines for how and when to accept (or reject) a donation. Having an informed ethics committee chaired by a person with experience in fund raising and ethical considerations is a first, minimum step to take.

So, when mental health care professionals and organizations do nothing … do absolutely nothing except continue to accept tainted money, then they have become part of the problem. There is no plausible deniability. There is only intentional conduct especially when a donor’s corruption is very public.  Accepting donations and money that you know come from a less than reputable organization results in you becoming part of the problem. You become complicit.

Acquiescence and cowardice allow Acadia Healthcare to continue to treat patients like they are only corporate commodities … to be used, abused and then discarded. The cult could have taken a strong stand … or any stand for that matter. Instead, the cult “bravely” hides behind their keyboards figuratively shaking their angry fists about politics and seek to cancel those who do not agree with their views.

Those people, that cult, their tribe … are beneath contempt. As they quiver and shake in their own irrational fear, they have betrayed their patients, betrayed society.

And the blood of innocents is on their hands … their cowardly, complicit hands.

ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE, ACADIA HEALTHCARE AND BARZINI

As early as the 8th Century, the “Feast” of Saint Valentine was marked by the Western Church of Christendom in honor of one of the Christian martyr, Valentine. 

In ancient Rome, Lupercalia was observed February 13–15 on behalf of Pan and Juno, two pagan gods of love, marriage and fertility.

More recently, in order to generate revenue between Christmas and Easter, companies like Hallmark elevated Valentine’s Day to an international day of love. Approximately 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are purchased. Every kiss begins with K. Restaurants serve small, fixed-price menus at inflated prices. Men shake their heads, discretely breathe heavily and endure the slings and arrows of a corporate manufactured day of greed … I mean love.

But there is an even darker side to this day.

Numerous shootings and tragedies have occurred on February 14. Perhaps the most notorious is The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929. This was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago’s North Side Gang. The men were gathered at a Chicago garage on the morning of February 14, 1929. They were lined up against a wall and shot by four unknown assailants, two of whom were disguised as police officers.

Today, a part of this wall, with bullet holes, is on display in the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.

And now, another notable event is going to occur on February 14, 2025. On that day, Acadia Healthcare is going to shutter one of its torture chambers … err, treatment centers, Timberline Knolls.

Let’s briefly review events leading up to this closure.

In August 2024, a lawsuit was filed against Timberline Knolls alleging staff member Erick Hampton sexually assaulted a 24-year-old patient, Jane Doe, three times in May 2024. The lawsuit also alleges Timberline Knolls falsely accused the victim of having a secret affair with a staff member and out of fear, she left the facility after less than two weeks. Blaming the victim is always a sound strategy! (rolling eyes emoji here)

On August 21, 2018, Michael Jacksa, then a counselor at Timberline Knolls was arrested and charged with assaulting a 29-year-old patient at Timberline Knolls during two counseling sessions between May and June of 2018. Jacksa was indicated for sexually abusing at least six other former Timberline Knolls.

But the problems are far more widespread.

According to media sources, 546 calls were made to authorities from Timberline Knolls from 2023 – 2024.

Dozens of 911 calls related to criminal sexual abuse or sexual assault at Timberline Knolls were made to authorities since 2018.

With all of the numerous issues involving rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, inappropriate behavior and lack of oversight, Timberline Knolls still had the audacity to hold itself out as having, “A Timberline Knolls Sexual Abuse Trauma Treatment Center for Women and Girls.” 

Just when you think that corporate hypocrisy and reprehensible conduct have reached an all-time low, we discover an even deeper level of hell.

Therefore, we should not be surprised by the closing. After all, it is part of Acadia’s overall corporate business strategy. That is, when a treatment center has too much notoriety, when its liability is too great, you simply shut down that treatment center and move along …

In 2018, Acadia through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ascent Children’s Health Services announced it was closing all ten (10) locations in the State of Arkansas. This closure displaced nearly 1700 children.

The closure was announced after the settlement of a Crittenden County Circuit Court civil lawsuit filed in July 2017 by Ashley Smith, mother of 2-year-old Christopher Gardner. Christopher died June 12, 2017, after being left in a transport van at the West Memphis facility for eight hours. Ascent workers signed documents showing that Christopher was taken inside the West Memphis day care center, even though he remained in the van.

In 2019, a lawsuit was filed against amongst other defendants, Acadia Healthcare. In that lawsuit, a guardian of an adolescent accused the Acadia companies of failing to protect a young girl under their care. The filing states that an employee of one of Acadia’s subsidiary companies repeatedly raped the child in 2018. The jury awarded the plaintiff $485 million dollars in damages. 

Acadia Healthcare of course, closed this youth treatment center in New Mexico amid egregious abuse allegations, multiple lawsuits and losing its certification from state regulators.

Acadia’s on-going incompetence, professional negligence and many scandals caused lower-than-expected volume growth. This resulted in a $20 to $30 million reduction in Acadia’s revenue guidance and a $10 to $15 million impact on the company’s EBITDA outlook.

Acadia’s response?

Acadia’s Chief Financial Officer, Heather Dixon stated, “If lower volumes persist, Acadia will reduce facility-level costs accordingly.” This tantamount to the old saying, “The beatings will continue until morale improves!”

Closing a facility is the nuclear level reduction of facility-level costs. A level to which Acadia does not hesitate to implement when its corporate commodities … uh… patients, become too problematic and not profitable enough.

Acadia’s profiteering at the expense of its patients is the dirtiest kind of money. And yet, our eating disorder organizations will close their eyes, hold their noses and continue to accept Acadia’s dirty money.

Perhaps these organizations believe that because the foul stench of the dirty money is covered in shiny wrapping paper, i.e., on the surface it comes from those treatment centers owned by Acadia; McCallum Place, Carolina House, Montecatini and various smaller centers, then they are free to accept revenue built on the backs of suffering people whose lives are worsened by Acadia’s corporate greed.

Those organizations may believe that since they haven’t heard anything unethical or bad about those specific treatment centers, [not that they have investigated] then it is acceptable to continue to associate with them.

These organization’s parochial thinking ignores the harsh reality that Acadia’s mindset is focused on greed and unethical profiteering. These organizations may believe it is acceptable to wait until a patient has been raped, or sexually abused, or mistreated before they take some type of action. And even that may not be enough. After all, when the tsunami of abuse allegations was brought to the public’s attention, when a patient was allegedly raped, not one organization stood up and issued any statement condemning the on-going conduct. Not one!

These organizations have not come to the realization that, “Tattaglia is a pimp. He never could have outfought Santino. But I didn’t know until this day that it was Barzini all along.” Acadia is Barzini. And it will line up against a wall for execution, any of its treatment centers which do not turn a big enough profit.

If those organizations, knowing that the parent company is corrupt, and through demands for third party investigations, increased oversight and stronger vigilance, could have prevented future abuse in those facilities and instead does nothing … DOES NOTHING … they should be held accountable.

They need to understand it was, “Barzini/Acadia all along.” And are you going to collaborate with that type of reprobate?

AED … AT THE CROSSROADS

“Destroy the old you, before it destroys you. It’s not about erasing your history, but rather rewriting it with intention, resilience, and newfound strength. Break down the barriers that prevent you from becoming the best version of yourself. Strive to be better tomorrow than you were today.”

  • Author Unknown

The book on 2024 is closed and has been placed on the shelf.

Certainly, the book on the Academy for Eating Disorders (“AED”) is closed. In every way possible.

Its flaws and faults are many. Financially being taken advantage of by its “management company” and doing nothing. Emphasizing a radical, leftist agenda. A cowardly refusal to address corruption in the mental health community. A parochial self-important view. All these factors have conspired to push AED to the brink of extinction.

When Your Management Company Holds You Ransom

Virtual, Inc. is AED’s “management company.”

Virtual advertises that it provides the following services: “Our comprehensive services include finance and accounting; global events management; group secretariat support; HR services; leadership and operations consulting; membership management; marketing and creative services; certification and licensure management; communications; and cutting-edge technology solutions.”

So how has Virtual performed?

Under Virtual’s “leadership,” from 2020 through 2023, AED has reported a total combined loss of -$658,156.00.

For this cataclysmic financial performance, Virtual charged AED fees in the amount of $1,780,836.00.

Again …

A financial loss of -$658,156.00.

Management fees of $1,780,836.00.

Ponder that level of incompetence. Of professional negligence. Of malfeasance. And yet, AED stands idly by letting this financial drain happen, year, after year, after year, after year.

After one year alone of having a management company underperform resulting in a six-figure loss to an organization, that organization would undoubtedly take an exhaustive due diligence examination of the management company. But four consecutive years? And to have management fees be approximately three times the loss sustained by AED under that management company’s incompetence? Any rational organization would have long ago unleashed its legal counsel on that management company with the instructions to go medieval on that company.

But AED? It whistles by the graveyard. It does nothing. It continues to allow itself to be exploited and abused.  And we are justified in asking one question. A one-word question. That question is … Why?

Even still, AED’s issues and troubles are multifaceted.

AED’s Tribal Echo Chamber is of the Highest Importance

AED has been overrun by radical leftists who place their own outlandish political and social justice beliefs over people who suffer from eating disorders. Even over the financial welfare of its own organization.

In July 2024, AED announced its international conference (“ICED”) was going to take place in San Antonio, Texas in May 2025. In this announcement, AED broadcast its intention of using eating disorders as a platform upon which they intended to continue to propagate its radical political agenda over the priority of research of eating disorders.

AED stated:

“While Board members were excited at the opportunity, there was much concern for the comfort and safety of our attendees considering the political climate in the state of Texas.” 

“We understand and respect that some of you will make the decision not to attend ICED 2025 due to its location. We hope that you will continue to support AED, and perhaps consider a donation to one of the many grass roots organizations in San Antonio fighting for equality. Thank you.”

Good Lord. I cannot even begin to fathom how a mental health organization could understand, let alone respect a fear based, cowardly, irrational decision prioritizing a person’s blind allegiance to a political party over their chosen profession.

AED chose to foster a fear based, ideological platform before everything else. To say that AED has betrayed all families who suffer from eating disorders would be charitable.

So, let’s expose the irrationality of AED’s fear based, political agenda and observe its continued march toward irrelevancy and obsolescence.

The Bear is Blue

With regard to ICED in San Antonio, presumably, the AED “professionals” are concerned for their safety and welfare because a majority of Texans voted for Donald Trump for president. Perhaps they believe that all Republicans, or all who voted for President-Elect Trump are inherently evil.

And yet, one of the many things these AED “professionals” got wrong is they did not consider that Bexar County, the county in which San Antonio is located, is overwhelmingly blue… it is a Democratic stronghold. (Oh, and for clarity’s sake, Bexar is pronounced either “Bear” or “Bair,” your choice.)

Let’s review how the denizens of Bexar County voted in the last 5 presidential elections;’:

In 2024, Kamala Harris received 54.9% of the vote in Bexar County;

In 2020, Joe Biden received 58.2% of the vote in Bexar County;

In 2016, Hillary Clinton received 54.6% of the vote in Bexar County;

In 2012, Barack Obama received 51.56% of the vote in Bexar County;

In 2008, Barack Obama received 52.41% of the vote in Bexar County.

Every judge presiding over the district courts in Bexar County (district courts are the courts in which civil and criminal lawsuits are first heard) is a Democrat. Many of these judges ran unopposed.

The mayor, the district attorney, and the county sheriff are all Democrats. 3 of the 4 county commissioners are Democrats. The 4th is a graduate of the Naval Academy, is a 4th generation military veteran, flew the F-18 fighter jet for 10 years during his tours of duty, graduated with an MBA from Wharton and is married with three children. What a scoundrel!

This information raises a number of questions. Why exactly are the members of AED concerned for their safety and welfare when they will be visiting an incredibly diverse city in which Hispanics comprise 59% of the population and the vast majority of the citizens are Democrats?

And why does AED “respect” the decision of its members who choose not to attend because of their narrow political views? If someone can supply an answer which is more accurate that “idiocy,” by all means, let us know.

AED’s short-sightedness is further demonstrated on its DEI position. Society has self-corrected on this topic. DEI is yesterday’s news.

In 2023 – 2024, rational people and companies decided that the quality and integrity of its product were of the utmost importance.  Companies like Google, Meta, Walmart, Ford, John Deere, Lowe’s, Harley-Davidson, Molson Coors, Boeing, Toyota, Microsoft and many other companies are scaling back or eliminating their DEI programs. Numerous universities throughout the United States are eliminating DEI programs.

They understand that equal opportunity does not mean equal results.

But AED? No.

AED is doubling down on DEI.  It still has its DEI Advisory Committee. This Committee’s purpose is: “The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee is responsible for helping move both our organization and our field in the direction of being more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and strengthening our organization’s policies, initiatives, and programs.”

Notice there is nothing about improving the quality of research being conducted. There is nothing about improving the quality and professionalism of AED’s members. There is nothing about how families will benefit from this Committee.

And still, AED members are concerned about their welfare and safety in San Antonio? Really? While AED is being systematically, financially abused every year to the point of bankruptcy? While AED elevates their social justice clown show over the needs of those who are suffering?

Speaking of Abuse and Misconduct

Perhaps because AED is a victim of financial abuse, AED refuses to speak out on other aspects of abuse and neglect perpetrated against our most vulnerable population. However, AED does embrace those causes which coincide with their radical vision.

On June 5, 2020, AED released a position paper announcing its solidarity with Black Lives Matter and offered insights into tackling “systemic anti-Black racism and White Supremacy within the eating disorder field.”

Click to access AED_Statement_on_Black_Lives_Matter.pdf

It should come as no surprise that when the corruption within the leadership of the Black Lives Matter movement was exposed, and the Black Lives Matter movement crumbled and became a shell of that which it aspired to be, AED, as a leftist political organization remained radio silent.

https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/reckoning-black-lives-matter

And yet, what is surprising is that as more and more corruption within the mental health and eating disorder fields is exposed by the legacy media, AED again chooses to do and say … nothing.

Corruption, Corruption and AED remains both mute and moot.

The widespread corruption at Acadia Healthcare cannot be denied. Our most vulnerable loved ones are being exploited and in some instances, abused, raped or killed. And still, AED does nothing. And says nothing.

Acadia Healthcare owns McCallum Place, Montecatini, Carolina House and Timberline Knolls. These “treatment centers” allegedly attempt to treat eating disorders.  Acadia is a publicly traded company which may end up as the most corrupt mental health organization in United States history.

2024 was catastrophic for Acadia. Acadia was eviscerated by the Senate Finance Committee in a damning report in June 2024 evidencing deceit and systemic abuse of patients; the New York Times published a comprehensive article evidencing that Acadia was committing many wrongful and/or unethical acts towards patients; Acadia agreed to pay a $19.8 million fine to the Department of Justice and three states; Acadia agreed to pay another $1.38 million to the United States because of Acadia’s misconduct directed toward employees; the Veteran’s Administration announced it was conducting its own investigation into Acadia; the New York Times published a second report on Acadia evidencing that Acadia methadone clinics fraudulently billed Medicaid and other insurers for therapy sessions that did not take place, some clinics accepted patients who were not addicted to opioids to boost patient volume, and dozens of current and former employees at Acadia clinics in 22 states told the Times the clinics sometimes failed to provide adequate counseling to patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder. 

There are now at least four lawsuits filed against Acadia by disgruntled, angry investors. These lawsuits claim that Acadia, as a matter of its business practices and on a corporate wide basis, perpetrated widespread fraudulent acts and engaged in acts of misconduct and malfeasance. In August of 2024, a civil case was filed alleging that one of Timberline Knolls employees raped a patient in May of this year.

Rape. Sexual abuse. Emotional abuse. Mental Abuse. Fraud on the government. Fraud on families. And in response to the numerous investigations, fines, settlement agreements, lawsuits and patients being abused, all of which impacted Acadia’s volume and revenue growth, Acadia’s Chief Financial Officer, Heather Dixon stated, “If lower volumes persist, Acadia will reduce facility-level costs accordingly.” That means, the higher paid employees, i.e., medical doctors being laid off.

Profits, profits above all else.

And still, AED does and says nothing. And we must wonder … why?

After all, there is precedence for taking action. When Michael Jacksa’s widespread physical and sexual abuse was exposed at Timberline Knolls, the National Eating Disorder Association returned Timberline Knolls’ annual financial contribution of $10,000.00.  NEDA refused Timberline Knolls/Acadia’s dirty money.

However, at ICED 2025, as some AED “professionals” cower in fear concerned for their safety and welfare, undoubtedly Acadia and its subsidiaries, McCallum, Montecatini, Carolina House and Timberline Knolls will proudly display their wares in AED’s exhibit hall. At $3,500 per exhibit table, Acadia will undoubtedly be contributing at least $17,500 to AED’s coffers. [How else will Virtual be paid?]

We have various names for that conduct.  Accepting dirty money. Hypocrisy. Lack of integrity. AED refuses to speak out against systemic abuse in the mental health community and all the while is accepting money from a corrupt corporation which abuses patients and has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to resolve lawsuits based on that abuse.

And yet, AED is not finished with its journey leading to its inevitable destruction. Nonetheless, the time has long since passed for AED to either take a stand with those who are abused and fight against corruption … or be part of the scandals, abuse and horrific conduct by cooperating with the perpetrators.

Ethics, Ethics Everywhere and None of it for …?

Since AED will not come to the mountain, the mountain will come to AED.

AED has an Ethics Committee. It’s long past time for AED to start utilizing it. Within one week, information regarding Acadia, its dirty practices and sordid conduct will be submitted to AED’s Ethics Committee. And AED will be faced with what should be a “no-brainer” decision.

AED can choose to support those who are victims by Acadia’s nefarious, illicit conduct. Or they can stand in solidarity with Acadia. Acadia, who abuses the system. Acadia, who abuses our most vulnerable population. Acadia, who abuses and removes hope. Acadia, who abuses and who removes … life.

But choose AED must … and will. And we will know the direction AED chooses. And the ramifications of that choice will determine whether AED remains a viable entity … until at least Virtual gets through with it.

Merry Christmas Daddy.

Christmas… the Holidays… the joys of the Season. That time of the year when we draw closer to family. When we remember and embrace the very first Christmas gift given to us … Love.

A parent’s love. Pure as the first snows of Christmas. For God so loved His children that He sent His Son, that someday we might return to Him.

And yet culturally, and as a society, we seem to be distancing from that impactful message.

Cynicism, self-absorption, greed and tribalism seem to be the primary motivational and identification factors of our society. We identify by whatever political party we voted for. And we shun those who voted for someone else. In our fear and ignorance, we only want to hear those voices which agree with our own opinions.

We are subjected to an endless stream of new Hallmark movies every year. Movies which usually involve a career driven person in a large city going home to their small town to save a hotel, or Christmas tree farm or small business. And, while doing so, reconnecting with the first love of their life. But, that is not real life.  That is not reality. Especially during these holiday times.

The Holidays are a time for families. A time to celebrate with loved ones. A time to remember those whom we have lost. A time to reflect on the past year. And a time to look boldly ahead.

However, for parents like me, we feel the loss, the anguish, the grief caused when a beloved child is taken from us. That grief is so much more acute at this time of the year. Further, that grief can rear its head in unexpected and unforeseen ways.

In the holiday comedy movie, The Family Stone, the story of a dysfunctional but loving family is told in humorous ways even as difficult, heart rendering topics are addressed. Then, one brief scene happens. It seems almost like a throw away interaction between two characters. Late on Christmas Eve, one of the daughters, the pregnant daughter, is sitting on a couch, her sister asleep on her lap, Judy Garland’s version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is playing on the television. The lights are turned down low, the lights on the Christmas tree in the background.  The father, who is carrying the weight of an incredibly heavy burden walks past, looks upon his daughter and lovingly says, “Good night, Susannah. Merry Christmas.” Susannah looks at her father and with obvious love in her eyes simply says, “Merry Christmas Daddy.”

That is when the dagger is pushed into the heart. Knowing that I, and many other fathers like me, will never hear those words again from our daughter. It freezes our soul. And we die just a little inside each time.

And yet, we cannot let that grief become our masters. We cannot let it define us until the end of our days. Yes, we must acknowledge that grief exists and always will. But we must find ways of persevering. Of finding strength and character to continue with our life’s journey. And often times that strength and resiliency is brought to us as a present … as a gift.

In 2018, it was a 10 year old boy. I wrote about this incredible soul:

https://dadsjourneywithed.blogspot.com/2017/12/and-sometimes-angel-appears.html

That is the story of a 10 year old boy with an incurable disease and only a short few months to live. That day two firetrucks, along with many firefighters, appeared in front of my apartment building. As I looked at this boy, who knew his time was going to be short, he was so animated! He was laughing, waving his arms, putting the fireman’s helmet on, he worked the siren, and a joy, a sweet, innocent wonder just emanated from him.  

All I could do was stand there and look at him.  His hair neatly combed, his face absolutely glowing.  His smile was this incredible, pure expression of the joy and love that surely must have been in his heart.  There were about 6 firemen around him … most had tears in their eyes and tried to look away so the boy would not see that. And in that boy’s presence… you could feel a divinity at work. And that boy allowed me to keep my grief at bay.

This year again, I was feeling the sting of loss particularly deeply. Frustration, dejection. I also knew I could not actively seek out inspiration and redemption with the naïve hope that I would find those attributes. Those blessings have to come to you. And I had lost hope that those blessings would find me and lift me from my despair.

I should have had more faith.

On one of my social media pages, The Book of Faces, an extensive thread appeared. It was started by a friend from a number of years ago, a friend and her husband with whom I had lost touch.

https://www.facebook.com/amey.b.strothers

There are 37 photos in this thread. And the topic? Her battle against cancer over the course of the past 14 months or so. And the photos were so open, so graphic. Photos which brought to life their journey. Photos of her hair (and his) being shaved and them lovingly touching their bald heads together. Her sitting through chemo treatments.

Photos of them at various hospitals. Her smiling, laughing, crying and… persevering.

Then, when you read her words about this journey.  A journey she brings to life as she lays bare her emotions. Overwhelming fear. Hurt. Anger. And then? Resiliency. Courage. Love. Belief. Strength. And Faith. Faith in her God. Faith in all around her.

And now, the doctors report her to be cancer free. I can only imagine that life must seem so incredibly new for her. That she feels reborn. That she feels free, unshackled from the burden of fear, of her own mortality.

From her incredible words, from those stirring photos we can find … inspiration. We can find love. We can find faith. We can find … a renewed purpose at Christmas.

Amey and Richard. You may not have known it at the time but you have brought to the world an incredible Christmas gift and allowed it to be shared. You manifested the very meaning of the first Christmas gift given to us. In addition, you have given us hope.

Hope, faith and love.

Thank you. Thank you for making me feel renewed inspiration and strength to persevere.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Trees, Paganism and Messages from Angels

Christmas trees have their origin in paganism. The Christmas tree tradition emerged from the “sacred trees” of Northern European mythology such as “Yggdrasil,” the giant ash tree at the center of the Norse cosmos that holds all the worlds in its roots and branches.

Some people believe that trees have a unique life force of their own. In the book, The Hidden Life of Trees, the author, Peter Wohlleben summarizes the complexity of arboreal life: Trees communicate, feel pain, form complex communities, create microclimates, seem to have individual agency and are even known to keep relatives alive that can no longer feed themselves.

Some of the first tribes to occupy the North American continent add a spiritual dimension to the hidden characteristics of trees … they believe trees pray. Mary Siisip Geniusz, the author of the book, “Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do is Ask” explains that in the Anishinaabe tribe of North America, the balsam tree is named Ingiigido’aag, meaning, “She Stands at Prayer for Us.”

To the Anishinaabe, the tree’s beautiful fragrance is her prayer. The tree, from this perspective, is not merely a symbol but a being that enacts the effect we all notice: Families and communities uniting in the presence of a Christmas tree in a new way.

Eventually, Christianity took license over the Christmas tree. The tree is even referenced in the Book of Revelations, Chapter 22, Verses 1 – 2 wherein it states, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Nonetheless, the pagan roots of the Christmas tree cannot be denied.

When Patti took me into her home seven (7) years ago [that is after she finally got past her initial inclination that I was a blowhard and that you could measure the depth of my soul with a thimble], I discovered her home was a repository for hundreds of books and writings on spiritual matters. Numerous books on Kabbalah were spread through many rooms. The Koran was present as was the Torah. The Book of Mormon. A 23 book series on the Zohar. Prayer books, Bibles both Christian and Jewish. There were Mezuzahs on some of the doors. Studies on faith, on the soul, on spirituality and religion.

My contribution?  Wanting to bring a pagan originated green tree ripped from Mother Earth into her pristine home every early December. Yes, since Patti is so much nicer and soulfully much more substantive than me (as all of our friends will attest), she allowed my request.

I have previously written about the significance of Christmas trees for me. I was raised in a family where artificial Christmas trees were not a consideration. The scent of the tree quickly filled our tiny house. But it was much more than that. The tree elevated not just our sense of smell, but it brought joy, love and light to our other senses as well. Glorious Christmas was near. And at Christmas, anything is possible!

As the years passed and the dreams and fantasies of childhood were left behind, our adult years came upon us. But still, for me the Christmas tree was eternal. It had to be real. It remained my symbol representing the endless possibilities of greater futures.

Then, little strangers a/k/a children came into our life. With ever growing numbers of friends and their Little Strangers, we would pile into first our cars, then onto full sized buses, and travel to Christmas tree farms to saw down our very own trees. The look of absolute wonder on our children’s faces were a time portal allowing us small glimpses into our past childhood. And for brief moments in time, we remembered.

The ravages of time took its toll … work, divorce, misplaced priorities … all life lessons teaching us that life is not easy. And it is not meant to be.

And yet, the Christmas tree remained. Decorating the tree became “a thing” for Morgan and me. Each year we strung popcorn and cranberry strands. Even as her eating disorder began to ravage her bodily organs, the tree remained our last vestige of a childhood that was gone … for both of us.

And then, she was gone.

That first year, less than 2 months after Morgan was taken was gut wrenching. As for a Christmas tree? Forget it! Why go through that pain? But sometimes decisions are removed from your control. Surrounded by pushy siblings, nieces and nephews, a tree found its way into my place … and remained in my life. I still recall the hours which elapsed, tears on my face, looking at the tree. And questioning life.

For the first time, I felt that a Christmas tree was mocking me. What did I have to be thankful for, or hopeful about? And yet, the tree remained, calling me, trying to get me to remember … to not give up all hope.

And so, I brought into Patti’s world, the disorder and dirt from those pagan Christmas trees.  The tree drops needles. It is dirty and messy… and worth every second and every adversity. It helps you … feel. It helps you remember that there are far greater things than your own existence.

And then, there was the special day when Satan’s Shrub made its appearance. On the day Patti and I were going to pick up a young lady who was being checked into ERC, just 2 hours before her flight arrived, the Christmas tree fell. Ornaments I deemed precious, shattered. I ranted about how it was NOT a Christmas tree, but it surely must be “Satan’s Shrub.” And then, a valuable life lesson was brought manifest. The only ornaments which broke were those purchased at stores. The precious ones hand made by my children… all survived. Precious memories. A truer message of Christmas, of love, of our children was brought to me. And yet, Satan’s Shrub had one last message to deliver in a future year.

Last year’s version of the Christmas tree was … alarming. Not because of the work that went into it, but because of the incredible ease every step of the way.

The tree was the very first tree we saw. No bad side which would need to face the wall. Perfect height. It was full. It was perfect. We got it on top of the car with no issues. Brought it home. The stand fit it perfectly the first time. This tree stood tall and straight. After cutting off the netting, the branches settled into perfect harmony. I put on the lights with no issues at all. Ornaments adorned the tree. And then, I found a perfect “tree topper.” A beautiful, Victorian looking angel. Naturally, it fit precisely.

All was right with the world. Or so I thought.

The next morning when I went to check how much water the tree had taken in, I was surprised to see the stand still full of water. The “perfect Christmas tree” was drying out. And quickly at that. The “perfect Christmas tree,” the easiest one I had ever had, was anything but perfect. With still almost two weeks before Christmas, this now fire hazard had to go. And so, it did.

I replaced the tree of course since Christmas was not yet here. It was the smallest tree I have had in years. And yet, somewhere along the way, just as it happened in a Charlie Brown Christmas, the tree began to transform.

Memories of Christmas tree farms, of the sweet innocence of children, the shouts of joy, the pure laughter from these soulful, little strangers, the sharing of the almost sacred ritual of decorating the tree with my daughter rose to the surface. Its scent was pure … and sublime.

And once again, another valuable lesson manifested. The Christmas tree which I had held so dear for all of these decades, was indeed merely a symbol, important yes, but just a symbol. Most importantly, it was the love surrounding the tree. The shared dear, precious time spent with loved ones. Spending time together.

This year, humor and perhaps the Deities conspired to make the 2024 version of the Christmas tree unique.

Once again, I induced Patti to allow me to destroy other aspects of the house by bringing into our lives… a Vizsla puppy.  Now Patti has not been a dog person as an independent adult. But, I had 2 Vizslas. Which means … I should have known better. But … NOOOOOOOOOO.

So, with Beauregarde being 11 months old in December and with Vizslas being high energy, I had a plan! Patti has a very sturdy small, square table. I would buy about a five (5) foot tree and place it on top of the table. In that way, the wood-headed dog could not micturate on the tree and perhaps the ornaments would be out of reach.

I immediately found the tree, poured two (2) Mambo Taxis down my gullet, went home and was determined to get the tree in place immediately. Well… there I go again.

I got the tree in the stand, got it up on the table, filled the base with water and as I was trying to anchor it… it wobbled, began to fall, the fall was partially impeded, water was spilled on the floor, I let loose with a tapestry of profanities that until this day is still hovering over the Trinity River, and the dog quickly yelped and ran into a different room.

A shot of tequila helped steady the nerves and calm the savage beast, the tree was more properly placed in the stand and stood up.  As Patti caught up on her slumber, I put the lights on the tree while the horrible Christmas movie, “Red One” was playing the background.

And then … I remembered.

I previously wrote about the young lady suffering from eating disorders who was being checked into ERC during the infamous Satan Shrub year.  The past week, she reached out to me.  With her permission, I can set forth what this incredible soul wrote:

“3 years ago today I landed in Texas and met you and Patti. The morning of The Great Christmas Tree Disaster.. which was a disaster and a headache for you but one of the most genuine acts of kindness anyone has ever done for me to this day.”

“I’ve spent my morning reflecting while I sit here at work and I just can’t help me feel emotional about how something much bigger than you or I was at play when you were brought into my life and then all the sudden I was in Texas at ERC.. basically losing my mind and hating all of existence.”

“My life is so amazingly different today and my time in Texas was the pivotal moment.. where the scales finally tipped for me was sitting at your dining room table with Patti.. she told me that I needed to become the CEO of my own life.. that if anyone was going to make my life better it would be me.”

“I took those words and ran and I have not stopped since. I have not needed to admit to treatment, I have maintained a healthy weight, I don’t struggle with mental illness nearly to the level I did, I work two jobs, take care of a home on 5 acres and raise my boys all by myself— I work at a treatment center for teen girls and in the counseling center at a high school.”

“My life is dedicated to helping really cool teenagers and I’ve found my passion in life. I’m back in school pursuing my degree, and my boys have their mom back and never have wonder if I’m going to show up for them.

“Your interaction in our lives may have been brief, but it was the most pivotal time in my entire life and I truly do not think I would be here today if it wasn’t for your kindness and willingness to help me at my lowest. I hope you both are doing so well. I think of you guys often! Thank you for everything 🤍.”

Symbols of Christmas. Books. Trees. Christmas movies. Gifts.

This year, all of these symbols cannot begin to touch my heart and my soul as this young angel has done.

I received my Christmas gift early this year. A gift that is a reminder that my beloved daughter, Morgan is still doing great work and is making this world a better place. I am just a place marker for her, for her acts of strength, of compassion, acts of love, of how her sacrifice is still guiding me to help others as I can.

What a precious, precious gift Allison gave to me. 

Thank you, Allison. Hug those boys of yours and keep inspiring others through your strength and courage.

Merry Christmas Allison.

And to all.