Hillary Suhaila Bacon earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Murray State University in 2017, her Master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in 2019, and is a Doctor of Social Work Candidate at the University of Kentucky.
She currently serves as the executive director of Aster Springs in Nashville, TN, a residential treatment center for women with eating disorders. Prior to working at Aster Springs, Hillary had experience in private practice, crisis mental health services, and substance use treatment. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and often utilizes dialectal behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and existentialism in therapeutic practice.
Hillary’s research interest is eating disorders, specifically anorexia, and how the brain is affected during the course of the illness. Hillary’s Capstone project is entitled Anorexia, Neurocognition and Practice Implications: An Outpatient Treatment Model.
Hillary serves on the board of directors for Aubrey’s Song for Eating Disorders, a Kentucky-based non-profit that works to educate and bring awareness about eating disorders. Hillary has worked closely with the National Eating Disorders Association in fundraising and state legislature.
Hillary’s career goals include making Aster Springs the best eating disorder treatment available in the United States, obtaining her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential and becoming certified in EMDR (C-EMDR). Hillary lives in Nashville, TN, and spends her spare time shopping, working out, trying new foods, and exploring Nashville more by the day.