OPI Intensive Therapists Attend NEA-BPD Borderline Personality Disorder Conference

OPI Intensive Therapists at NEA-BPD Conference

When Alex Miller, Psy.D, spoke about advances in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) at a recent conference about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), he scored points with Melissa Patterson, MS, therapist at the specialized OPI Intensive for young men and women with BPD. “Many of the points he made struck me as confirming the unique strengths we…

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Q & A with Melody Kraus – Career Counselor for OPI Living Programs

Melody Kraus, Career Counselor for OPI Living

In an interview earlier this month, we sat down with Melody Kraus, valued member of our Department of Career and Volunteer Services for OPI Living Programs including the Optimum Performance Institute, specialized OPI Intensive for BPD and our Intensive Outpatient Program to discuss a few topics around her work. Q: Melody, what have you learned…

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Q & A with Reginald Ford – Assistant Director of Milieu for OPI Living Programs

Reginald Ford, Assistant Director of Milieu for OPI Living Programs

Recently, I sat down with Reginald Ford, Assistant Director of Milieu for all OPI Living programs, including the Optimum Performance Institute, specialized OPI Intensive for participants suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder and BPD Traits and our newest OPI Living Program, Intensive Outpatient Services, to discuss a few topics about his valued work here among our…

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Happy Holidays from OPI Living!

Happy Holidays from OPI Living

It has come to the end of another wonderful year here at the Optimum Performance Institute and with our specialized OPI Intensive, which celebrated the completion of its inaugural year in 2012 as a new and vital part of the OPI Living family of programs. During the busyness of the holiday season, we always make…

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Remember to Take Care of Yourself During the Holidays!

Note to Self: just breathe

With the holidays right around the corner it’s very important that all of us remember to practice some self-care during this seemingly stressful season. Whether you’re traveling home to be with your families or snuggling up with your pets, it’s essential to remember to focus on your own needs as well during this busy time…

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Part Two: Q and A with Anne LaRiviere, Director of Admissions at OPI Living Programs

Anne LaRivere, Director of Admissions at the Optimum Performance Institute

As Director of Admissions for all OPI Living Programs, I recently decided to start a blog post series to outline some commonly asked questions that we receive from parents and referring therapists. This is the second set of questions in my new series. To read all of the frequently asked questions I’ve discussed, visit our…

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September Community Service Event – Helping the Homeless

OPI Living Community Service Event

The Department of Career and Volunteer Services within the Optimum Performance Institute recently supported a local homeless shelter in Los Angeles for the September community service event. OPI and OPI Intensive participants prepared meals and served lunch to over 800 homeless people during their visit. Part of the event included a facility tour where a…

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Q & A with Will Owens, MA – Director of Life Coaching Services for OPI Living Programs

Will Owens, Director of Life Coaching for OPI Living Programs & OPI Intensive

Recently, we connected with Will Owens, Director of Life Coaching Services for all OPI Living programs, including the Optimum Performance Institute, specialized OPI Intensive and new Intensive Outpatient Services, to discuss a few items regarding his valued work here at OPI. Q: What is your vision for life coaching and how has it grown (diagnostically)?…

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New Perspectives About “Failure to Launch” Young Adults

“It’s never too late,” I said to frustrated parents in my office at the Optimum Performance Institute. “You seem to think the game is over but that’s not true! Sometimes it takes a village of caring professionals and peers to help break the cycle of alienation and isolation but your son CAN become independent and…

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Reflections on Bipolar Disorder and Comorbid Conditions in Young Adults

Bipolar Disorder Comorbidity featured

Comorbidity is a condition when two syndromes occur simultaneously in the same person. The simultaneous treatment of comorbidities in people affected by Bipolar Disorder is “ubiquitous,” as mentioned in an article titled, “Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder: The Complexity of Diagnosis and Treatment.” “Bipolar Disorder is highly prevalent and heterogeneous. Its increasing complexity is often caused…

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Ben Moroski’s Autobiographical Play “This Vicious Minute” Wins Awards at Hollywood Fringe Festival

This Vicious Minute

Recently, Ben Moroski, a former participant at the Optimum Performance Institute’s specialized program for Borderline Personality Disorder and associated traits, including BPD with co-occurring conditions such as self-harm, continued to head down a healthy path of recovery and new-found peace in sharing his journey with others in a play he wrote while attending OPI. Ben…

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OPI Intensive participant Ben Moroski performs self-written play “The Vicious Minute”

This Vicious Minute by OPI Intensive Participant Ben Moroski

“This Vicious Minute,” a revealing autobiographical play written and performed by confessed self-harmer, Ben Moroski, previews in the Hollywood Fringe Festival Woodland Hills, CA (PRWEB) June 11, 2012 “This Vicious Minute,” a revealing autobiographical play written and performed by confessed self-harmer, Ben Moroski, debuts at the Hollywood Fringe Festival today, June 11th, through the 24th.…

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