My Nonprofit Reviews

I recently took one of their week long programs and went there with an open mind prepared to feel uplifted and empowered. I found that like most cults and alternative therapies, they offer something that vulnerable people are missing in their lives and offer a solution to your problem that conventional therapies seem unable to offer. They also claim to cure autism or in their words "recover". Not all their teachings were useless, they promote a vaguely harmless philosophy of self reflection and the naive attitude of not having to take responsibility of face the consequences if you don't want to. If you want to do something, do it, and to hell with what other people think. If your kid died yesterday and you decide to get over it in 24 hours, you can do that if you just believe it (this literally was an example they gave)! Many of the people in attendance had been to many programs before (maybe if you've been to 20+ programs at Option, it's time to try a different solution...doesn't really speak to the practical success of their teachings), so be prepared to have a small group of returning customers seeking attention and approval, knowing the answers and eager and happy to tell you what those are. They have mastered the art of self-promotion. I would say you could decide for yourself, but I would not recommend anyone go here. Their process seems to involve breaking you down, building you back up and throwing in lots of subtle and overt fundraising tactics. They incorporate fundraising in to their classes to maximise attendance, and when only one person said they wanted to attend the optional session to find out more about other programs they offer, they then proceeded to question why no one else wanted to go, until more people caved and said they would go. They have established their own language and practice behaviour modification which is especially evident in those returning customers who are eager to enforce those rules and tell you if you aren't conforming. Their co-founders are revered and that attitude is positively encouraged by other members of staff. I came away, not angry, but disappointed. I went in feeling positive and confident in myself and came away feeling very sad that they are taking advantage of people desperately looking for answers (and selling the idea of the 'quick fix').