Insights 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, I aim for bringing about shifts and movement in the mind, body, and spirit/soul of the client.

Just surviving, or settling, is not enough. I want to see our participants thrive. I view OPI as a training ground for acquiring and practicing the skills of life with the support, direction, and encouragement of our amazing treatment team.

I am full of gratitude each morning for the opportunities that lie in store for me each day. Working at OPI is a perfect fit for me. Showing up, being present, authentic, and open to share in each client’s experiences as they unfold, is what I aim to do. If I am able to do this effectively, the clients reveal the rest (with some prompting, prying, and challenging inquiry at times).

I have learned that sometimes the best I can do is plant seeds, and in their time the client will either nourish them or discard them. I am learning each day that no one wants or enjoys staying stuck (depressed, feeling unworthy, unlovable, ineffective, etc.), yet in spite of this, they will each move onward at their own pace, not mine. The clients have taught me to slow down, pause, listen, really listen, feel the energy in the room, and from that place gently offer comfort and assurance. Helping the clients feeling safe, cared for, important, and worthwhile are key to helping them trust that I am on their side and fighting with and for them, not against them.

I am enthusiastic and passionate about the work I do. Integrity, compassion, honesty, positive energy, and my experience are what I bring into each session. I believe the clients sense that my “realness” gives them permission to be the same. This makes for a wonderful foundation for some really hard work to be done. I use humor often and at times will break off into something a bit more playful (maybe even a game of badminton) to change the pace and give the client a break from the intensity. I have been known to work on a client’s posture, body positioning/presentation, breath, voice, eye contact, playfulness, etc., all  in an attempt to help them reconnect with “all” of them and to feel and understand that everything has an impact on them or those around them, internally, or externally. I have seen clients respond in amazing ways to these interventions and as a result begin to feel empowered and more confident in all of their affairs.

It never ceases to amaze me to see the resiliency and courage it has taken for many of our participants to make it this far. As each client enters, moves through their program, and readies for discharge, they are an inspirations for others who shared in this part of their journey, both peers and staff. OPI serves as a safe and supportive environment in which they can put into practice all that they are learning. They can try out new, more effective ways of being and interacting, all the while staying close enough to feel the support and care of the staff and being able to work out the kinks and fine tune their new ways.

I try to be realistic, letting each participant know that even with all of the challenges they have worked through during their stay, the real work is waiting for them on the outside.   I tend to push with a bit of pressure for the clients to take risks and practice the more effective and assertive ways of being while here in this controlled environment. The goal is that they will have confidence and believe in themselves and their ability to use these tools as they integrate back into their lives.

It is a pleasure and an honor working with our participants and their families. I believe in the treatment/program that OPI provides, making my experience here a positive and enriching one. Working with this population has shown me time and time again that with strong programming, experienced and caring staff, flexible and individualized treatment planning, and a willingness to apply oneself, great things can happen. The participants that complete their treatment with OPI have been a testament to this.

 

For more information on OPI and our programs, call us at (888)-814-5985 or submit our online Contact Form. We’ll get back to you promptly.