Testimonials

# 1

"Throughout the last 20 years I have been seeking help for anxiety, depression, substance abuse and disordered eating.  I have seen psychologists, psychiatrists, addictions specialists, therapists, sexual abuse counsellors, and addictions counsellors.  I have attended 12 step groups like NA, ACOA, and OA and I have been to Treatment Centers.   I have been on and off antidepressants throughout the last 20 years.

I went to the center in Jan/Feb to heal anxiety and depression and substance abuse that had taken over my life.  I had been off work since June/07 for medical reasons ie; anxiety and depression and I was told that I had to go to a treatment center to deal with my substance use issues that had gotten bigger since I had been off work.  I did not want to attend a 12 step medical model treatment center as was mandated because I had been to 2 before and I found that they were not particularly helpful.  My purpose in going to the center was to get to the bottom of what was causing my depression and to learn how to be happy and peaceful and to learn tools to cope with whatever comes my way in life without falling back into depression, anxiety and substance use." 

Did you accomplish your goal?

"Yes, I am happier now than I can ever remember being, and I feel a sense of peace that comes from a very deep sense of knowing the truth about myself that is unchangeable no matter what is going on around me.  I gained valuable tools that are helping me to experience life in a completely different way than I was experiencing it before I went to the center."
M.C.

# 2 What was your intention/purpose in going to the centre?

"I went to the centre almost two years ago. I was unhappy with both my life and my lifestyle.  For the first time in my life I had begun to think about suicide. I knew I was addicted to drugs.  I had tried 8 inpatient treatment centres and 4 out-patient clinics; from the very inexpensive....to some of the most expensive treatments in North America.  Nothing worked.  I could get sober I just could not stay sober. Over $165,000.00 was spent searching for the answer. Each time I got out of treatment....within just a short while I relapsed.  Choose-Again's approach was incredibly different than any other centre.  In Costa Rica....they focused on my BELIEFS about myself.  Rather than trying to change my "behavior", they worked on having me realize my fundamental self.  As I began to focus on my true self, my need to use drugs seemed to just fade away.  I am happier now than I ever have been in my life.  And most importantly, I have the tools to continue my happy path."

Did you accomplish your goal?

"I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed was possible.  Each day, I am grateful to the centre for the training, and opportunities they have returned to my life."

What were the most beneficial aspects of your experience at the centre?

"I would think the most beneficial leaning was to focus my thinking on the "true" concepts and beliefs in my life.  I had so many negative beliefs that seemed to drive my behavior.  Now, when those old beliefs come back, I have an understanding of how to change the way I react to my feelings.

The Choose Again approach is lovingly, gently, radically different. They teach that all situations are for my learning and healing, and that what I need to change is my negative beliefs about myself. My self-hatred fueled my needle use – my self-love fuels my recovery. "

Dan P.

# 3
"Diederik works with clarity, strength and compassion."
Kim W.

# 4
"Diederik is a loving and talented facilitator who deeply believes in the wholeness of  every person he works with."
J.A.

#5
"I went to Costa Rica feeling unhappy and discontented. I felt there was something missing in my life that was keeping me from being at peace. Through working with Diederik and the group there I came to believe:

   * That I am an innocent child of God and that what has prevented me    from seeing this has been old beliefs carried from childhood that I  don't deserve love and don't know how to give or receive it;

   * That to trust that I am right where I need to be and am getting all I need renders me patient and keeps me from being disappointed;

    * That my self-imposed self-identity has kept me judgmental, intolerant and separate from others, and prevented me from seeing that we are all essentially the same and part of a oneness, Concepts that make me feel more love and understanding for those around me;

  * That it's all about love and that to give love results in receiving it;
 
 * That my feelings of depression largely result from my faulty perceptions of myself, life, and love;
  
 I gained tremendous psychological and emotional benefits from my stay in Costa Rica. I have now been free, for two months, of depression medication I was on for twelve years, and have used concepts acquired at
the centre in dealing with those down times, to great effect. In my two weeks back in the Vancouver routine, my outlook has been much more optimistic, and my extension of love to people and situations, and openness without expectations, has resulted in less mental and emotional clutter and more freedom and happiness."
M.S.

#6
"I have been a sober member of AA for 20 years and am also a Quaker.  I began learning with Diederik Wolsak by attending private counselling sessions, workshops, study groups and going to the El Cielo Center in Costa Rica.  I was motivated to increase the joy and happiness in my life as I found that outward circumstances were continuing to cause me more distress than I could accept.  

Diederik is a superb counsellor and teacher.  He has transformed his own life and is an example of living in the joy and peace he teaches.  I have been pleased to learn more from Diederik's extensive knowledge of A Course in Miracles and from our counselling sessions.  The teachings make sense and have provided insights into the core beliefs that underly my actions.  Each day that I apply the teachings from A Course in Miracles provides deeper and deeper peace, joy, and detachment from previously upsetting circumstances.  I consider this teaching the missing piece I’ve been searching for.  I continue to study with Diederik and recommend his workshops, private counselling sessions and the center at El Cielo."

Helen
Vancouver, BC