Meet Our Embrace Team

Would you rather have a photographic memory or gain an extra 40 IQ?

That’s easy, a photographic memory. Then as a result, I would probably gain the extra 40 IQ and have it all! Although now I am not sure if it quite works that way, so I guess I should choose a higher IQ.

Who are you and what is your role in Embrace? 

Hi, I am Megan Bendig. I am the Senior Clinician in Casa Verde, one of Oliver-Pyatt Centers’ comprehensive houses. At Embrace, I run the Psychology of Movement group.  

Why did you want to work in the Embrace program?  

I was so excited when Embrace was conceptualized and am so grateful to be able to work with the population this program serves. I’ve had many clients who struggle with binge eating in my comprehensive work and have been humbled by the challenges and strengths associated with their recovery efforts. When Karin asked me to be involved at Embrace, I was all in!

Now that we’re off and going, what has become your favorite aspect of the Embrace program? 

Psychology of Movement group offers our clients an opportunity to explore and process their experiences surrounding movement; what messages motivate and inhibit their activity, values associated with activity, and judgments about their bodies, specifically what it is like for their bodies to be engaged in activity in a mindful and meaningful way. Being able to offer our clients a forum to explore these aspects of their experience has been the best part of my Embrace experience thus far. 

Would you rather attend Hogwarts or have a pet sasquatch? 

I guess I’ll go with pet sasquatch. I’m not a Harry Potter fan (I know, I know…the horror!)   

Would you rather have a photographic memory or gain an extra 40 IQ? 

Photographic memory, without question. It would be so cool to remember everything I see. I love to travel, but never take as many pictures as I’d like, so being able to permanently store what I witness in various places would definitely be a benefit!

Who are you and what is your role in Embrace? 

Hi!  I’m Gisela Padron and I am a Primary Therapist at Embrace. I see the clients in this program for individual as well as family therapy sessions. I also facilitate several weekly group therapy sessions which include Body Image Group, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Groups, and Therapeutic Opportunities Group.   

Why did you want to work in the Embrace program?  

I wanted to work in the Embrace program because I have always had an affinity for working with this population. I believe that amongst eating disorders, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is greatly misunderstood. As a result, oftentimes well-intentioned individuals have done more harm than good to those seeking recovery from this disorder. I felt as though Embrace’s individualized treatment approach was refreshing and intuitive. Professionally, it was the right fit for me because working here has given me the unique opportunity to blend many of my passions together.  

Now that we’re off and going, what has become your favorite aspect of the Embrace program? 

This is a very difficult question for me to answer because there are several aspects of the program I enjoy very much and for different reasons. I must say I feel so blessed to work with such an amazing team of professionals. Working collaboratively with inspirational and brilliant individuals is certainly one of the perks of the job. But as I reflect further on this question, I would have to say my favorite aspect of the program is seeing how much progress these resilient clients are achieving in approximately eight weeks. It is so deeply moving to witness the transformation.  I’m smiling as I type this and recall the amazing work these women have/are putting into their recovery. It is such a gift to be able to help them and be a part of their journey.

Would you rather attend Hogwarts or have a pet sasquatch? 

Hogwarts!  Absolutely attend Hogwarts!  That would be such an amazing experience.   

Would you rather have a photographic memory or gain an extra 40 IQ? 

Interesting question, I suppose that out of these options I’d rather have a photographic memory.  

Who are you and what is your role in Embrace? 

My name is Carly Orshan and I am a yoga instructor with the Embrace program. 

Why did you want to work in the Embrace program?

I wanted to teach yoga with this community to help patients bridge the gap between the body, mind and spirit. Yoga often teaches practitioners about life’s changes, its growth, its discovery, its movement and our flexibility to embrace these fluctuations by linking our body and mind together. I wanted to be a part of a program that can help individuals stretch their bodies and souls by listening to their intuition and mindfully adapting to their environment.

Now that we’re off and going, what has become your favorite aspect of the Embrace program? 

I have really enjoyed getting to know the patients individually and learning what they like and dislike in regard to movement. I have been able to modify the yoga practice to best suite each practitioner’s needs which has been very rewarding to do! 

Would you rather attend Hogwarts or have a pet sasquatch?

This is a tough one. I’ve always been super fascinated with sasquatches, but Hogwarts is such a special place. After attending Hogwarts I could probably learn some techniques to spell a Sasquatch to live with me. So I would have to go with Hogwarts. 

Would you rather have a photographic memory or gain an extra 40 IQ?

Photographic memory.

Who are you and what is your role in Embrace?

Why did you want to work in the Embrace program?

Now that we’re off and going, what has become your favorite aspect of the Embrace program?