Meet Our Team
How to Reverse the entitlement and lack of motivation found in the “Participation Trophy” generation
Many young adults today have been raised in a generation where a sense of inclusion and instilled confidence were top priorities. As a result, many sporting and competitive activities adopted the “participation trophy” or consolation prize mentality. Everyone received the same prize just for showing up. While well-intentioned, this sensitive attitude toward children has led…
Read MoreKim Jensen at the NATSAP Conference – Interview
Jon Dabach: We’re talking to Kim Jensen today about his experience at the NATSAP conference. Kim, why don’t you give us an idea of what the conference was like? Kim Jensen: It’s a conference that really, some of the things that came out of it are really interesting. There were 3 or 4 of the…
Read MoreTerry Huff on his new book Living Well with ADHD
OPI: First, let’s get a bit of background on you. Would you mind going over your own history for a moment? Where you went to school? Where you practice? How you practice? Terry Huff: Sure. I got my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology at Middle Tennessee State University, then went back to school later to get…
Read MorePartners in Treatment Conference Interview
Today we’re talking to Michelle Dabach, LMFT who works in admissions at OPI about her experience at the Partners in Treatment Conference that she attended. Jon: Hi, Michelle. Thanks for taking the time to interview for us here on our blog. Why don’t you tell us what the conference…
Read MoreAzra Mowlana, M.A., MFT/AT
Optimum Performance Institute is pleased to shine the spotlight on employee Azra Mowlana, who will be featured in our next OPI e-newsletter. Get to know Azra… Hi Azra, please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background and what you do at OPI. I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration…
Read MoreMeet the team: Jenny Bell Martin, Director of Career & Volunteer
Jenny, you have been selected as the featured employee in OPI’s newsletter in the past, and you’ve been tapped again. What has changed for you in your position at OPI and your overall role since the last time we interviewed you? Over the past couple of years, a few things have changed for me at…
Read MoreQ&A with Dr. Anita Red, Psychiatrist at OPI
Name: Anita Red, M.D. Title: Adult, Adolescent, and Child Psychiatrist What have you learned from the participants? At OPI and OPI Intensive, young adults share many similar problems. As a result of their willingness to share, I get to witness them get better. For me, this reinforces hope. Participants often come in feeling hopeless and…
Read MoreInsights from Kim Greeley, MFT: Taking Yoga Lessons off the Mat and into Real-Life
I believe in treating the whole person, not just the presenting problem. I am willing to use whatever is available to me in order to help our participants move in the direction of their treatment goals. As a certified yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and fitness trainer, as well as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,…
Read MoreQ&A with Nicole Salazar Director of Staff Development & Research, Life Coach MFT intern
Q: What have you learned from the participants? A: Other than an increase of patience and empathy, I have learned how important it is to incorporate one’s learning preferences into coaching/therapy. Not only is considering an individual’s learning preference important to both andragogical and pedagogical approaches in a classroom setting, but I have noticed the…
Read MoreQ&A with Jaime Jackson, Outpatient Program Coordinator and Life Coach at OPI
We recently connected for a conversation with team member Jaime Jackson to discuss her roles as Outpatient Program Coordinator for OPI’s Intensive Outpatient Program and as a valued Life Coach for the Department of Life Coaching Services. We wanted to know about any new understandings she’s become aware of while working with our participants and…
Read MoreQ&A with Jessie Steinberg, MS – Administrative Director of Education at OPI
We recently sat down to connect with Jessie Steinberg, MS, to discuss her role as our new Administrative Director of Education for the Department of Educational Services for OPI Living Programs. We wanted to know how her time here at OPI has been going, any insights she’s gained from working with our participants, and the…
Read MoreQ&A with Marisela Guillén, MS – Director of Student Affairs at OPI
We recently sat down with Marisela Guillén, Director of Student Affairs for the Department of Educational Services for OPI Living Programs, to have her share some reflections about experiences from her first few months of supporting the department and the participants whom she guides in their individual academic programs. Q: Tell us more about the…
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