Staff Spotlight: Amy Allyn, Program Support Coordinator

Since joining The Emily Program last March, Amy Allyn has worn different hats to meet the various needs of her clients.

She began as a case manager at Seattle Residential, working closely with the treatment team to coordinate discharge and connect clients with helpful resources. Today, Amy now serves as The Emily Program’s program support coordinator, where she manages admissions to the Seattle facility.

Though she has enjoyed both roles, she is honored to facilitate the tremendously difficult decision to choose treatment and recovery.

“I’m motivated by the work we do, helping clients achieve lasting recovery from their eating disorders — EDs are a beast!” she said. “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.’ The initial decision to choose treatment is one of the hardest decisions to make in recovery, but such an important step!”

Amy graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and now is working toward a Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Capella University.

Learn more about Amy and why we think she stands out!

TEP: What can clients expect from programming?

Amy: From residential programming, clients can expect 24/7 support from experienced staff who are always there to help them when they’re struggling.

Clients will have appointments with an individual therapist twice a week, a dietitian twice a week, a psychiatric provider once a week, and a medical provider once a week. The goals in residential are symptom interruption, nutritional and medical stabilization, and learning new coping skills to replace eating disorder behaviors when they are eventually discharged back home and/or to a lower level of care.

TEP: What’s the most common concern you hear from clients?

Amy: I am at the front lines when clients make the decision to pursue residential treatment, so I hear many concerns! The most common question I get is: “How can I possibly put life obligations on hold?”

For work, our providers help clients fill out FMLA and short-term disability paperwork. For school, we help clients make arrangements with their instructors to complete courses remotely/online or some clients take medical leave or utilize tuition reimbursement.

We understand life can’t exactly be put on hold and the world doesn’t stop just because they’re in treatment, but at the same time, eating disorders take away from the full potential of their life.

TEP: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Amy: School takes up much of my free time, so I take opportunities to do self-care and vacations as much as I can. I attend concerts and live music whenever possible, and photography, yoga, and meditation are also ways that I take care of myself.