Purpose
The purpose of the Choose Again center is for each participant to learn to experience the joy and peace of mind which comes from recognizing their intrinsic and unchangeable worth, and to then make choices in their lives which reflect the person they truly are rather than the person they believed themselves to be.
By the end of the program a participant will have:
Identified recurring patterns
Committed to a process to release these patterns
Identified and released limiting beliefs which attract negative life experiences
Acquired tools for deep, full and fearless communication
Mastered processes to quickly resolve any conflict
Learned the purpose and value of healthy relationships and how to maintain such relationships
Discovered a true passion and purpose and be on a path to incorporate that purpose into their personal and professional life
Developed a spiritual practice of meditation, reflection and contemplation
Developed a lifestyle conducive to being a happy, productive member of society.
Underlying Principles
The program is based on the holistic principles of Transpersonal Psychology, Buddhism, Attitudinal Healing and other, universal, spiritual teachings.
The theory behind our work can be described as follows: at a very early age we make up beliefs about ourselves. The self we think we are is a set of beliefs ranging from positive to limiting. The limiting beliefs drive behaviour such as substance abuse or may lead to symptoms such as depression and chronic anxiety. The client is most often unaware of these beliefs even though they will inevitably demand evidence. A belief can only be sustained if it attracts evidence or proof of its reality.
Our program is not based on behaviour modification. Rather, we teach that ‘improved’ behaviour follows naturally from belief correction. We facilitate processes which enable our clients to look deep within and uncover core beliefs. We then teach a series of techniques to correct or transform these limiting, fear based beliefs. Once a belief has been transformed it will no longer demand evidence. For example, abusing drugs or alcohol will no longer hold any attraction for a client who has recognized (literally: know again) the truth within.
The philosophy is quite simple; however, it does require practice and diligence on the part of the client to experience long range results. An untrained mind can accomplish nothing and developing a disciplined mind is a significant part of our program. It is, in fact, a profound mind training.
At the center clients are engaged daily in the process of transforming their limiting or negative core beliefs into the truth that they are whole and innocent. The intensive work at the center is guided by an approach that is both loving and focused.
This is not a Twelve-Step program. Many of our clients are AA based and find that what we offer could be considered the steps beyond AA. Recently, for example, we enjoyed the company of two AA members, both well over 20 years ‘dry’, who were dangerously overweight. While they had been ‘dry’ they had transferred their addiction (or attack on the self) from alcohol to food. In all the years of not drinking they had not explored what the underlying cause for their alcoholism might be. “It is a disease” closes the door on such exploration. We open that door and teach a methodology to correct the mistake beliefs.
Above all we teach 100% accountability. We teach and demonstrate that we are the author of entire experience, our experience is the result of our choices and our choices are based on our beliefs; we can always choose again. There is no-one to blame, not parents, not government, not genes and not ourselves. There simply is no blame.
The most powerful thing we do for our clients is to hold them as whole and complete in our minds; in other words, never lose sight of the truth within them regardless of what they believe to be true.
Who Are Our Clients
Clients come to the Choose Again Center with a wide variety of presenting issues such as clinical depression, addictions, chronic anxiety, stress or relationship challenges. There is no ‘typical’ age, although the work does require a level of maturity and commitment. Perhaps, most importantly, the client has to have reached a stage in their lives where they realize that there has to be another way, nothing else has worked.
Client/Staff Ratio
The Choose Again center is a small facility. We accept no more than seven clients at any one time allowing for a very high staff to client ratio.
A Day at the Center
The day starts at 7 AM. The time between 7 and 8, before breakfast is served, is used for individual study and meditation. We teach a variety of meditations and hold that meditation is of inestimable benefit. At 8:30 the clients meet for an informal study and discussion group, which is not facilitated by a staff member. Here they learn to take a leadership role, express themselves freely and explore new ideas. At 9.30, staff and clients gather in a circle and engage in a 3-hour intensive group-therapy session. A team of trained counselors facilitates this circle and assists clients as they explore any upsets they may have had in the previous 24 hours. Participants come to see how their process is similar to others’. They may see that a young teenager who may have come to the center because of a drug addiction has the same core belief as a middle-aged man who is ostensibly highly successful but came to work on relationship issues. In other words, they see how alike they are and how their problems are not “problems” but simply evidence for beliefs. A belief is by definition not true. The group process provides a safe place to look at beliefs and release fears.
In the afternoon, we offer a variety of activities including one-on-one sessions, small group work, yoga, hikes, swimming, art therapy, journaling, horseback riding and myo fascia release sessions.
Clients participate in a breathing technique called Holotropic breathing. The purpose of the breathing is to potentially release past traumas that a client may hold and to access feelings which may have remained buried for many years. We offer this process once per week (more often on an individual basis if needed) and clients have reported remarkable transformations and shifts as a result. Holotropic breathing is also an effective tool with new clients who have never accessed feelings let alone spoken about them.
Once a week we leave the center for an off-site experience. This may consist of a trip to the hot springs, a day at the beach on the Pacific Ocean, a volcano exploration, or a zip-line excursion to name a few.
Local Medical Facilities and Support
The town of Tilaran, a mere 15 minutes away, offers complete medical care. There is a well-staffed and equipped clinic and we have developed a relationship with a MD/homeopath who is fluent in English. She has seen several of our clients for a variety of issues and has been most helpful and professional at all times. While we offer a non-pharmaceutical solution to issues such as depression we do not require clients to be medication free. We have found that most will choose to reduce their pharmaceutical intake and in many cases are completely medication free by the time they return to Vancouver.
The Staff
The program director is Diederik Wolsak RPC, MPCP, and co-founder of Choose Again Society. While Diederik resides mostly in Costa Rica he returns to Vancouver regularly in order to lead workshops, give talks and follow-up sessions.
Other staff members include highly trained counselors, yoga instructor, a myo fascia release therapist, and increasingly, peer mentors.
Peer mentors are individuals who have spent considerable time at the center as clients and are now returning to deepen their understanding of the work and strengthen their practice while being of service to others. We are in the process of developing a certification-training program, which would allow program graduates to apply for Registered Professional Counselor status.
Why Costa Rica?
The center is located in Northern Costa Rica on 11 acres of hills and rain forest overlooking pristine Lake Arenal and the active volcano Arenal. The views are breath taking and provide an atmosphere that is highly conducive to therapy and self reflection.
Taking clients completely out of their normal environment aids in breaking habits associated with the past.
Clients enjoy being outside daily and essentially live in a natural paradise free from the distractions of daily life.
The average daily temperature is 72 degrees allowing for outdoor activities, such as hikes in the verdant hills surrounding the center and swimming in Lake Arenal.
Fresh vegetables and fruit are available locally and year-around to ensure a highly nutritious diet not to mention incredible flavours.
Volcanic hot springs, a short ride from the center, provide a powerful detoxifying experience, while sitting under the 104 degree waterfall offers a deep massage.
Costa Rica is famous for its bio diversity and natural beauty. Through its unparalleled flora and fauna, clients can connect with aspects of nature rarely encountered before. Incredible insects, beautiful birds, monkeys and other wildlife right in our back yard.
The simplicity of Costa Rican culture offers an opportunity to see how happy one can be without all the ‘toys’ so desperately seemingly ‘needed’ in North America.
Surrounded by silence but for the sound of the wind and the symphony of birds, and witness to the awe-inspiring volcano Arenal, the center provides a natural locale for healing.
Facilities
The 11 rooms at the center are simple yet comfortable. Clients enjoy a private room with a bath, located in four buildings in a park like setting. Our large meeting room, where we have group sessions and meals, is entirely open on one side allowing a magnificent view of the lake and the volcano. In addition we have a separate house used for staff, yoga and Holotropic breathings. The focus at the center is on the self and not on seeking gratification from outside the self. Hence, there is no television, no i-pods, and limited computer and telephone access. We encourage meditation, silence and journaling which all create more awareness of thoughts and feelings.
Program Duration
The length of the program is, of course, an individual decision. Some clients come for personal growth, others because they are in a crisis. Some stay for a week others for six months or more. It must be recognized, however, that what we teach may be considered a complete reversal of old thinking. It is entirely reasonable to expect such reversal to take time and practice.
Cost
The cost of our program is $200.00 per day or $6000.00 per month, all-inclusive. The only additional costs a client would incur would be the flight to Costa Rica and personal incidentals. This price includes six private sessions with a therapist upon return to Vancouver. Choose Again is a non-profit, Canadian Registered Charitable Foundation.
Pre/after Care
We offer extensive pre/after care support in Vancouver. We have two counselors on staff in Vancouver available for one-on-one sessions and family therapy. Clients may also choose to attend two evening groups per week for ongoing support. In addition, we offer monthly workshops in Vancouver.
Choose Again
Where the Self can be reborn in safety and in peace
Diederik Wolsak, RPC, MPCP
Relationship Clarification
4438 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6R 1S5, 604 221 2292,
dwolsak@choose-again.com, www.choose-again.com
Choose Again is a registered Canadian Charity
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