Optimum Performance Institute California

• Lack of consistency in residential programming Staff do not consistently follow established rules, schedules, or procedures, leading to confusion, instability, and reduced program effectiveness. • Leadership deflects responsibility rather than addressing issues Concerns are repeatedly dismissed as “longstanding problems” instead of being acknowledged and corrected through leadership action. • Minimization of staff and resident concerns When issues are raised, leadership minimizes their significance instead of validating and investigating them. • Inaccurate or misleading statements from directors Leadership has claimed no one else has raised concerns, despite multiple individuals doing so. This creates a lack of trust and transparency. • Denial of documented incidents Leadership has stated that there have been no violent occurrences at OPI, contradicting firsthand accounts and records. • No accountability taken by leadership team In meetings with directors, responsibility was deflected, and no ownership was taken for ongoing operational failures. • Decline in program quality over a short period of time Since early november, the program has gone from functional and structured to unstable and disorganized in less than two months. • Failure to enforce expectations for staff behavior Leadership does not hold employees accountable for following program rules, resulting in inconsistent enforcement and unsafe conditions. • Pattern of covering up or avoiding documented problems Issues are downplayed or denied rather than documented and addressed, creating ongoing risk for residents and staff. • Communication breakdown between leadership and program staff There is a lack of clear, honest communication, leaving staff unsure of expectations and residents without consistent support. • Safety concerns are not taken seriously Reports involving safety are dismissed instead of being investigated, corrected, and followed up on. • Erosion of trust in leadership Repeated denial, inconsistency, and lack of accountability have caused a significant loss of confidence in OPI leadership. Just unacceptable

Edit: Despite the invitation extended below, it is clear that they have no interest in improving their services rendered or rectifying their flaws. If you're considering OPI, please, please consider the following: There may be lots of positive reviews and that's great but there are plenty of negative ones. And that is where the issue is. Look at how much the people who had negative experiences lost. If you don't have a good outcome, which is undeniably always a possibility with things of this nature, you will likely be out well over $100,000 that you will never get back, ever, even accounting for insurance reimbursements (which are a grueling process). There are no refunds. I know things are probably desperate, but ask yourself, is it really worth it to gamble that amount of money? Especially when there is no shortage of residential programs, both in Southern California and around the country, that are all necessarily going to be cheaper and offer essentially the same thing and likely not belong to such a suspect parent company as Embark (that OPI is part of). Look Embark up and everything they're involved in thoroughly and ask yourself. Does such a company really sound trustworthy? Can you even really trust the motivations and priorities of a company that thinks such prices are fair and reasonable in the first place? Regardless of if you decide to go or not, never let yourself be pressured or manipulated into spending more time or money than you think is right. Your gut sends you messages for a reason. I know OPI looks good on its website but at the end of the day I can say with confidence that it doesn't offer anything that you can't find elsewhere for cheaper. As special and unique as it says it is there is absolutely nothing about it that warrants its price tag. And the program will tend to view clients and their families and not much more than cows to milk and for all they're worth and try to squeeze as much money from them as possible and people deserve better than that. Beware: he Roanne program is an example of that and designed to squeeze even more money out of people, it being full of overpriced fluff. It is not the only place to receive BPD treatment out there so look elsewhere and you'll get more for what you're paying. Staff misbehavior is also a huge program. Despite the cost the people in charge don't seem to do a good job vetting people working with a potentially vulnerable group of young people. Previous reviewer Sarah is definitely completely correct. OPI is a failure to launch program, not a program for young people with more deep-rooted mental health issues. Meaning, it is for people with comparatively milder problems, who really need a place for healing. It is definitely not "trauma-informed". And as another point to speak to that, it is absolutely not an appropriate place for young people with autism, despite it claiming that that it is one of the conditions it excels in helping with. There is no understanding of that condition among the clinical staff and no allowance is made for the autistic person's needs which really are very distinct from those who lack it, which will make the up the majority of the client base. So I just want that to be known.

I was at Opi in 2019 and 2020. The growth that I experienced during this time still sticks with me today. I can confidently say they have leadership that actually cares, and this was a great transition from me coming out of intensive hospitalization.

Opi is a great facility with wonderful staff. They help clients feel safe and in turn allows clients to be vulnerable and address issues necessary to gain recovery. A wonderful foundation for recovery with great food great staff and an amazing house to enjoy the La area

I’m 20 btw, I arrived at OPI on June 24, 2024, coming from a previous short term residential program near by. First day was great, got introduced to all my staff and met tons of nice peers. I would find myself having lots of anxiety, depression and just hopelessness in life. I used to be scared to talk to therapist but i learned that they can’t help you unless you tell them what you want help with. My previous treatment and OPI really helped me learn that skill. Groups are great, get to meet all the other clients, but sometimes the space can feel like a high school with cliques and others thinking it’s okay to talk down on other clients due to their mental health. So sometimes the “safe space” they try to provide isn’t safe because you get talked about behind your back. Unfortunately OPI doesn’t seem to do anything about this bullying. Myself was never harassed/bullied, but I would watch it happen all the time to other clients and would have to stand up for them and whatever kids BS entitlement…. All the staff are kind at OPI, they will be hard on you when it has to be if they really know you want to succeed and learn. For those parents who just send their kid expecting to get fixed automatically or get forced to be fixed(that is not what OPI does). If your child seems to not want to do the program, OPI unfortunately won’t discipline them due to being afraid of backlash from parents. No parent wants to hear that their child is not improving, not wanting to help themselves, and won’t accept or listen to advice other than threaten others with their own suicide. If a kid wants to go out and do drugs and have sex with others they’ll be able to do it. Also TONS of clients will have nicotine… GL I had plenty of relapses at OPI, and the addiction department was always understanding. I actually finally understood that I no longer drink to feel good, I relapsed a time at OPI because I wanted try and use substance normally, though knowing one of my problems was using substance to cope. Instead of getting mad, upset, or disappointed, they helped me realize the growth and how I didn’t go drugs to cope with some problem, but that I relapsed because there wasn’t any problems. So they really dig deep into you and look into your actions closely. Staff at the apartments, eh it can be hit or miss whether the staff just stays on their phone the entire time while doing their hourly rounds or you could have that staff that actually cares about you and notices when you look down and actually asks how you are doing. Most of the apartment staff are nice, but there are some odd heads. Lunch outings are a great way to meet other clients and bond more with them instead of in groups all the time. There are 2 groups each weekend, Only problem is, the cliques will complain until they all get in the same group and so then no one gets to meet anyone new. Shoutout Staff: Arianna, Spencer, Janet, Ali, Janet, Sarah, Momma Mariam(joke name for her, she gonna see this and get mad), Karen, Mina, Gabe, Mario, Marvin, Jeff, Arlieta, Jazz, k/cali(my gang), Orlando, Diego, ALL DRIVERS, Josh, Arianna and Spencer were part of my main treatment team and both provided outstanding work to help me learn about myself and gain confidence. Arianna was my therapist and helped me the same amount that i wanted to help myself. She realized how motivated I was to getting better and really reciprocated the energy and helped me. Spencer was my life coach, and he helped me learn things about myself that I could never truly know. He made me realize that it’s okay to have feelings as a dude, it’s okay to open up and learn from mistakes. He was like a brother to me and if I had a 2nd chance to choose another life coach, I would chose Spencer again. Anyway, I believe I got what I needed from OPI, but because I was motivated and determined to get better I did. It’s going to be harder for you or your child if you come here, not wanting to be better yourself. Wish everyone the best of luck in their life story and hope this helped you in deciding treatment.

The staff at this program are great. I really enjoyed the outings and all the improvements I made here. I would recommend this program to other young adults looking for help.

Horrible institute, was there for 5 months. If anything my mental health declined. Would not recommend this place to anyone serious about getting better.

Coming to OPI has been the worst decision I’ve made in my life so far. They lie and manipulate the clients and parents, and are beyond disorganized. It’s obvious that their top priority is their reputation and income, even if it means sacrificing the mental and physical health of the clients.