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 are also 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 make a second move when they relocate to the metropolitan area (where they intend to live) without the benefit of the support system 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, located in beautiful apartment complexes in Woodland Hills/Los Angeles, provides young adults the individualized help they need to make "real" the tools and skills they acquired either in therapeutic programs, therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness programs or during prior high school or college experiences.

Education

• OPI is unique because we put together boutique educational packages utilizing many different resources and educational opportunities that exist in our metropolitan area.
• Participants can take classes at near-by Pierce College or California State University, Northridge, as well as Moorpark College, Cal Lutheran, UCLA Extension, Santa Monica City College, Los Angeles Film School, and The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). A variety of other educational opportunities also exist at Playhouse West, Musician's Institute, and Westlake Culinary Institute.
• Our young adults can take matriculated as well as non-matriculated courses at university extension programs (UCLA or California State University, Northridge for instance). Participants can take film classes at UCLA Extension without having to meet admission criteria and being on an exciting, large campus can be used as a therapeutic bridge to help re-engage participants in education.
• We also utilize weekend courses, seminars or lectures through institutions such as the Hollywood Film Institute or the Kavali Institute for Theoretical Physics at UC Santa Barbara.
• We facilitate the use of specialized tutoring services when necessary and utilize learning centers in close proximity to the Institute.
• Young adults can get a high school diploma or they can complete their GED or enter the workforce while participating in OPI counseling programs designed to help them internalize a sense of commitment to long term goals, maintain their focus and cultivate the skills necessary to integrate back into the complexity of a metropolitan environment.

Support

• At OPI they become part of a committed new peer group---a new and supportive family of friends who help each other confront the distractions and temptations that exist for all of us in the real world while taking advantage of all the exciting opportunities available there.
• Young adult participants often experience the stimulation and excitement of meeting creative, talented and skilled adults from various fields and professions in the L.A. area. Sometimes they can be mentors. It is one of many ways we work to further the focus for their passions, develop possible career choices, and help them find inspiration and meaning in their lives and their place in the world.
• In addition, OPI participants are offered help acquiring independent living skills while receiving emotional and educational support from skilled counselors and through participation in supportive groups. OPI draws on the art, business and entertainment communities of the L.A. area to provide "real world" work/internship opportunities.

Additionally, OPI offers a continuum of care through its After Care Program which allows access to this supportive community (peers, staff, therapists, and counselors) for years after the formal program has been completed. Many Participants who chose not to participate in After Care still decide to live close-by, maintaining supportive relationships with OPI staff and peers.

By helping young adults set and achieve both short and long term goals we help families establish a new bridge of communication that allows for greater understanding and clarification of differences as well as shared values.

back to top