"I went to El Cielo in 2014 when I was fifty-eight years old. I had been receiving talk therapy for PTSD and Asperger Syndrome, which provided a measure of symptomatic relief, but I wanted more: I wanted my self-relationship to be healed.  I spoke with Diederik on the phone to ask whether Choose Again might be appropriate for me. I look back on that conversation with bemusement because I know now that Choose Again is an appropriate course of learning for anyone (irrespective of the name he gives his unhappiness.)  The daily 

As I sit here at the Choose Again Intensive Retreat Centre in Costa Rica, I still have to pinch myself that I'm so blessed to be here. Only 3 short weeks ago, I arrived here not knowing what to expect but have been so truly and pleasantly surprised and delighted by the beautiful transformation that's taking place within me here.
 
The Costa Rican name for the Choose Again centre is El Cielo, which means Heaven. The name could not be more apt because the change of mind that is taking place since being 

Dear Diederik,
I want to share with you what I consider great news. Since the second of the two workshops I attended at Les Labadous in August and September of 2016, I have come to realize that I too more and more naturally look for the light, it wasn't always so. With light I also mean love, a means to -- and outcome of -- forgiveness.
I am therefore pleased to report that I'm doing better. Last August, at the end of the first workshop, I told Stacy about the possibility of me starting on medication for depression as I felt stuck in a survival mode and didn't see a way out.
The transformation I have experienced this past year since attending the two workshops feels real in a sense:

​“It was a true revelation because I came with no preconceived ideas. I learned to be at peace with myself and my loved ones. I learnt to forgive and not judge everyone through my pre-conceived ideas. Live and let live!”

​"It’s like coming home.” - Nieke

​“A non-judgmental and intimate workshop that will provide you with an alternative approach to dealing with upsets in your life/events that are not in your control in a most profound way. An essential learning experience for each person; young, old, families etc. No matter what you believe about yourself and your past, this workshop will leave you feeling closer to our purpose here on earth. Diederik is a master of his craft and leads by example. These concepts can be applied immediately or not at all, but the truth lies in your willingness. Shift happens!”

​“It was an extremely comprehensive and enjoyable week in which I learnt a completely new way of thinking and interpreting each and every situation and aspect of life. I would highly recommend it to anyone, whether they have an illness or not.”

​“I was impressed by the professional & disciplined way the organisers ran the program. The atmosphere was relaxed and everybody in our group were given opportunities to practice the Six Steps. Those involved in running and managing the centre gave us a lovely welcome, particularly Christine & Martin.”

​“The 6 days workshop “Finding Meaning in Life” I followed in Les Labadous has made a great turn in my life. I’ve learned how to recognize disturbing feelings and hooked-on beliefs – and more important how to process this, to turn the upsetting feelings into a peaceful feeling. The techniques Choose Again offers are very profound and do-able, a healing process. I am so very very grateful to have experienced this week, a start of a continuing experience for the rest of my life, to feel peaceful, to be Love, and to be whole.” - Patricia

​“The kind of freedom and inner peace experienced through these workshops is amazing. It is a process – when applied to daily life – which leads to even more freedom.”