Oliver-Pyatt Centers

Joint Commission - National Quality Approval

	I have spent half a year of my life at OPC- it sounds like a long time but in the grand scheme of things it hasn't felt like it. I came to OPC on the brink of self-destruction, desperately needing a lifeboat, and OPC rescued me and stopped me from drowning in my own depression. OPC taught me skills, coping mechanisms, to believe in myself, to question my motivations, but it also allowed me to step back from my regular life and reflect on mistakes made and lessons learnt. Throughout my time at OPC, I have met the most inspirational mentors, the most wonderful therapists and professionals, and some incredibly determined and intelligent women who anyone would be lucky to meet. These women who anyone would be lucky to meet. These women, along with my team, have re-established my sense of self worth and helped me to accept this experience as an opportunity to grow, and not just an excuse to give up. I had never been in residential treatment before so I didn't really have any real expectations. I arrived scared, destroyed, inward and alone, but I am leaving with the hope, knowledge, acceptance and the support and love of my friends and family. I could never thank the women of OPC enough- you have changed my life and pulled me to safety and I will never, ever forget you." —Anonymous
	Coming to treatment, in particular, Oliver Pyatt Centers, was the hardest yet most worthwhile thing I have ever done. All of the staff here- the therapist, recovery coaches, doctors ("The treatment team") and most importantly the patients are a great support system. Everyone is so understanding; anyone will lend you an ear (and then some). When you need to talk; the people at OPC care so, so, so, so much, you feel all the love as soon as you walk into the Lily Pulitzer design building. If you try and put in the work, recovery will be possible. No matter how much you try to resist treatment, they will never give up on you, and that is a good thing once you're in the place to realize it. I don't want to leave to go home because this center is so special & the people are more than special. It’s a safe place to settle down for a bit, dig in deep and find out who you really are. Love, Love, Love everyone & everything in OPC to the moon & back! I'm happy that I am ready to step out into the real world, but I’m going to miss this place and the mountains of hope here." —ARC
	As I left OPC, I felt grateful for all the support and guidance I had received during my four-month stay. I left with countless memories, some happy and others bittersweet, but all conducive to my recovery. I left OPC awed at how much everyone there (therapists, staff, and other patients) was willing to help me carry out the particular steps that I needed to be able to move beyond my eating disorder. I left extremely pleased with OPC's willingness to accommodate my treatment to meet my precise needs and help me work on my personal issues. That is how I felt as I arrived at the airport to catch my flight back home. However, it was not until I arrived home and started to reconnect with my 'real' life that I was able to truly gauge how much investing four months at OPC has positively impacted me. In my two weeks since I got back, I have been able to do many of the things I hadn’t been able to do during the almost ten years that I was haunted by my eating disorder. OPC gave me the tools to let go of my rigidness, to be able to go out to dinner with my friends, to get the energy to go on hikes and enjoy nature, to be able to engage in conversation during dinner, to be able to stay out late if the occasion is right, to be able to accept unexpected plans, to try my mother's special cookies, and to enjoy spending time with my dog even if he's trying to get at my food. OPC taught me how to start living again, how to confront my problems in a healthy way, and how to accept my mistakes, as well as my accomplishments. OPC did not change my life, it helped me get it back." —R.O.
	It has been one year since I left treatment, and since then my life has been better than anything OPC could have planned for me. While in treatment I re-learned how to live life, and now that I am out I am loving and living every minute of it. I’ll be the first to admit that life outside these walls has had its difficult moments, but the fun times, love, and laughter that I share with my friends have definitely outweighed the hardships. Treatment is not a piece of cake (no pun intended) but making it through to the end is one of my greatest accomplishments in life. This accomplishment is not a plaque hanging on my wall, a bullet point on my resume, or something to brag about at a dinner party, but more of an inner joy that no one can appreciate but me. I remember how difficult it was to surrender my eating disorder, but through all the tears, fights, and anger I came out a more beautiful and stronger woman. OPC has given me my sense of peace, relaxation and joy back; feelings that are so vital in someone’s life, but are also so easily lost in our hectic lives. Words cannot express how thankful I am to the Oliver-Pyatt Center for giving me my life back. An eating disorder is not something anyone should have to struggle with alone and at OPC the staff and patients join together to encourage one another on their road to recovery. Thank you OPC for your patience, dedication, understanding, and inspiration during one of the most difficult times of my life. Lastly, to all the women struggling with an eating disorder—I hope that one day you will also find the confidence that is inside of you to look in the mirror and truly believe that you are beautiful. —S.D.
	I have a life! I actually have a life. That’s what I found at Oliver Pyatt Centers. I came in desperate and lost. My eating disorder prevented me from managing and doing daily tasks. I did not know who I was upon arriving, but I found a group of people who believed in me and worked hard with me to fight my eating disorder. What truly impresses me is that at Oliver-Pyatt Centers, they know eating disorders are a result of a greater trauma or life experience. Therefore, not only do they tackle the eating disorder with vengeance, they also focus the therapy on the issues that led to the eating disorder. This program is truly life-changing. I came in suicidal and left planning my future. The intimate setting and the ratio of clients to therapists and recovery coaches allows for the client to always have an available person with whom to talk. I know that I took advantage of that. My eating disorder had been my secret for 17 years. Now, it is no longer a secret that strangles me; it is an obstacle I continue to work through by applying all that I have learned." —C.G.
	I walked into the doors of Oliver-Pyatt Centers full of insight, and dearth of the wherewithal to put it into action. Simply put, I thought that I was going to show up, eat some scary foods, gain some weight, and call it a day. The four months I spent in the comprehensive program untied my scared, underfed, demoted, submissive child, and liberated her. I went from a girl willing to sacrifice her health, quality of life, potential, and vitality,…to a woman tasting her own power and breathing it in. I left with utmost respect for the role the eating disorder had played in my life, but no longer bowing to the false promises and certainty it brought me. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt and Vicki Kroviak have poured their heart and soul into creating a place of hope and healing. The entire staff at OPC, from therapists to recovery coaches, can and will dive as deep and swim as far as you want—or are willing—to go. Thank you OPC, for loving me when I didn’t know what that meant, and holding me when I didn't know how. I left willing to do whatever it takes to free the little child inside, and here I stand…feeling…breathing…connecting...loving...laughing...living." —L.M.
	When I arrived at Oliver-Pyatt Centers, I was able to take a deep breath. I realized I had arrived at a safe place, and was able to begin building the foundation for an honest and genuine life. For the first time in years, I formed bonds, opened my heart, practiced emotional honesty, and felt empowered by the overwhelming love, support, guidance, and knowledge I received in return from the staff and women in treatment. I came to understand that I was not alone, nor should I have to be and suffer in silence. For the first time, I practiced boundaries, was listened to and heard, protected, and believed. The treatment team spent endless hours as we all collectively wove through my past that was haunting me and causing me pain. The team opened my eyes to see that just because I was hurt in the past, it did not mean I had to continue hurting. I finally and full-heartedly believed that I deserved to be happy." —A.A.