The OPI Vision of Transition

Many young adults today who leave a therapeutic school or program, or who leave home for the first time and make the transition to college or the work world, face a daunting challenge.

Often they are high achievers. But thrust into this new, real world alone with few personal advocates, these young adults often are overwhelmed by isolation and the lack of structure and support.

They are often unable to build a positive sense of self or use any skills they might have developed that could help them get good grades, achieve goals and succeed. Too often they begin to fail and return to old, negative patterns and peer groups.

There also are individuals who, because of awkwardness in their ability to express their feelings and participate in more complex social interaction, are unable to achieve their full potential. Many of these young people are extremely bright and are able to do well in select areas of academic focus but are overwhelmed by the complex social demands of young adulthood.

Sometimes, as a last resort, these young adults enter a program in a non-metropolitan area, only to have to make a second transition to a metropolitan area (where they intend to live) without the benefit of the support system that they need.

But Robert F. Fischer, M.D., psychiatrist, feels strongly that it makes sense to provide the experiences and skills necessary to grow as a young adult in an environment like that in which one eventually wants to function.

The Optimum Performance Institute gives young adults the individualized help they need to make "real" the tools and skills they acquired either in other therapeutic programs, therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness programs or during prior high school or college experiences.

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