» Inspiring Video Testimonials

Inspiring Video Testimonials

Facing Challenges, Our Students Gained Self Reliance and A Positive Approach

Wow! These live testimonials keep pouring in and they tell stories of overcoming real life challenges. What challenges are you facing? Watch new interviews every week which cover everything from Eliminating Anxiety to Dealing More Effectively in Relationships to Overcome Depression to Creating Inspiration and Hope in the face of illness and disease. These life-changing experiences will leave you hopeful and wanting more!

An Empowered Woman - No Longer Depressed & Stuck

Holly changed after her mother died. She did everything she thought she was "supposed to" but she grew increasingly depressed and unsatisfied with her life. She attended a personal growth workshop at The Option Institute, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman and rediscovered her enthusiasm for life. She ultimately trained to be a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator and currently works with autistic children and their families in the United Kingdom with this powerful autism treatment program.
5 mins 59 seconds

A Happy Divorce - Now Living Life Big!

Kate's marriage was failing and she was seeing her life and her issues as small and trivial. She attended a self-help workshop at The Option Institute, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. She and her husband are now happily divorced and continue to be good friends. Kate has continued her journey of personal growth and is now pursuing the life of her dreams.
5 mins 31 seconds

Meet Gail - Once Overweight & Self-Judging, Now An Exceptional Woman

Gail had gained weight after having her babies and was judging herself harshly. She attended personal growth workshops at The Option Institute, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. The Exceptional Woman Program was a turning point in her life. Now she is a runner and has fallen in love with herself!
3 mins 32 seconds

Eating Disorder - Now Filling Myself With Love

Sometimes Corinne was very controlling about food and sometimes she used food to fill her loneliness. Listen to her story and how she learned to love herself and make happier choices by attending The Happiness Option, a personal growth program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman.
6 mins 44 seconds

Dating Without Fear: No Feeling of Rejection!

Self-Help Tools That Work for A Happy Life! - The Option Institute
2 mins, 22 secs

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Healing After Son's Death

In the years after Tauska's son died a violent death she took to drinking, got a DUI and was arrested. That's when she attended the Fearless Program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. She learned tools and developed friendships that continue to support and nurture her. She has transformed her life. Listen to her amazing story...
7 mins 16 seconds

Anxiety No More

Jon lived in constant anxiety about all his decisions, big or small. After attending programs at The Option Institute, including Fearless, Radical Authenticity, Group Facilitator Training, PowerDialogues, Inner Strength, Empower Yourself, Wide Awake, and Mentor Certification, Jon sees life as a joyous adventure.
4 mins, 40 secs

Suicide Thoughts For Years/Now Loving Life

When Judith first came to The Option Institute she had thought about suicide every day for years. She took the Fearless program and her life transformed.
4 mins, 05 secs

Panic Attacks No More- A Better Dad & Businessman

Jack was so stressed at work that he eventually had a breakdown. He was having panic attacks virtually all day, every day. His family was suffering and he was miserable. Finally he travelled from Denmark to the U.S. to attend a self-help program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. In just one week he learned simple, concrete tools that he used to change his relationships in his family and at work. His whole life changed! He has returned for Group Facilitation Training and he is excited to bring these principles to his sales career.
5 mins 28 seconds

Breaking Out - Goodbye Stress & Pain

Lily’s anxiety was affecting her life and her health. She experienced debilitating stage fright that stopped her from going after her dream. She suffered from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and severe back pain as a result of stress and she was judging herself harshly. After participating in self-help workshops at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, Lily’s health has improved and she has a new perspective on acting and on life.
5 mins 21 seconds

Watch Out - Timid No More!

Ray lived most of his life in fear. He was timid, doubting, not feeling good enough and he couldn’t stand up for himself. He came to the Fearless Program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. In 5 days he changed what he had been trying to change for 20 years! He learned to love and trust himself and now has greater confidence and much delight in life.
9 mins 59 seconds

Depressed & Anxious Parent, Now Happy & Effective Mom

Kathleen was depressed and anxious and thought she was hiding it all from her son but he was angry and acting out. She came to the Parenting Program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, to help her son with his issues. She learned to help him and to help herself become a happier and more effective parent.
5 mins 40 seconds

Eating Disorder and Cutting Myself - Now Loving Myself!

Priya was anorexic and cutting herself in order to control and numb her feelings. She had been in a center for eating disorders back home in the Netherlands, but she was still suicidal and depressed. After reading Happiness Is A Choice by Barry Neil Kaufman, the co-founder of The Option InstitutePriya came to the States and attended several self-help programs. She learned to love herself and was able to let go of her eating disorder and self-cutting.
4 mins 31 seconds

Panic Attacks for 19 Years – Gone!

Brian had panic attacks every day for 19 years. His life was severely restricted by fear. He couldn't ask a woman out. The symptoms of his panic attacks were so profound that he felt like he was having a heart attack every day! He was desperate for help with anxiety and to find a way of managing panic attacks. After attending one short program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, he has not had another panic attack in four years!
7 mins 09 seconds

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 11 Years -- Now Healthy

Ellen suffered for 11 years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (fibromyalgia). She came to a program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, to find alternative health strategies and to deal with the many life challenges she faced as a result of this chronic immune dysfunction illness. After just one week at this self help workshop, she climbed a mountain and was never so sick again. Ellen is now a Certified Option Process Mentor/Counselor and has attended many personal growth programs including Fearless, Couples Course, Group Facilitator Training, Mentor Certification, The Happiness Option, and Wide Awake.
9 mins 28 seconds

My Journey OUT of Depression

Even though Robin could function, she had many signs of depression and was suicidal for years. She tried various treatments but nothing worked. At The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, Robin found the hope of hope and help for depression. She learned tools to assist her in managing depression symptoms and ultimately helped her find her own way out of depression.
6 mins 33 seconds

Making Cancer an Empowering Experience

Sid had attended several personal growth workshops at The Option Institute. When he was diagnosed with throat cancer, he used all the tools he had learned during his time at The Option Institute to make his cancer experience positive and empowered. He has fully recovered! Hear his story…
4 mins 31 seconds

Stepping Out of Depression

Liz’s depression rendered her unable to work. When her partner came to The Option Institute, Liz saw such a profound change that she came herself and has never looked back. She is strong and fully employed with a new lease on life and medication-free. She has attended Fearless, Calm Amid Chaos, Exceptional Woman, Radical Authenticity, Optimal Self Trust, and Wide Awake.
4 mins, 57 secs

Finding Tools to Help With Anxiety

Allison had sought help for anxiety and unhappiness before but nothing helped her long term. At the Optimal Self-Trust and Radical Authenticity programs at The Option Institute, she and her husband, Jasper, found the tools they need to make the changes they want in order to create the life they’ve dreamed of having.
3 mins, 43 secs

Death of A Child - A Mother Gives Back

At a very young age, Marceline's daughter developed a brain stem tumor. Marceline cared for her tirelessly throughout her life and in doing so learned about The Option Process Dialogue. After her daughter died, Marceline attended self-help programs at The Option Institute, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. Now Marceline wants to share everything she has learned to help others.
2 mins 40 seconds

A Psychiatrist uses The Option Process Dialogue

Ted is a psychiatrist in a large hospital. He has been attending personal growth workshops at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, for many years. Ted has been bringing the principles of The Option Process Dialogue, back to the hospital where he works and has seen profound changes in his patients after employing these alternative treatments for depression and other challenges.
4 mins 09 seconds

Self Esteem, Self Love and World Peace

For years Nico had tried to increase her confidence and self-esteem and yet she often felt worthless. She had a strong desire to find a mission for herself - to contribute to world peace but she didn't know have a clear picture of what that meant for her. When she attended the Power Dialogues Program at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, Nico saw the foundation for peace in action. What she learned there completely transformed her life
5 mins 31 seconds

Loving My Father No Longer Blaming Him

Judy judged her father for not being there for her in a consistent way when she was growing up. She couldn’t rely on him and as a result kept herself at a distance from him. She came from the Netherlands to attend the Inner Strength Program at The Option Insitute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. This powerful personal growth program helped her to transform her relationship with her father.
2 mins 55 seconds

Being Myself Without Fear

Lenny was always changing himself to fit in. He took the Radical Authenticity program at The Option Institute while serving in the military. Now he is a true student of himself and enjoys being Lenny.
3 mins, 15 secs

Option Institute Saved My Marriage

Paisley, a Christian woman, was so unhappy that she was ready to leave her husband and her children even though it went against everything she believed in. After attending The Happiness Option, her first program at The Option Institute, she returned home peaceful and no longer yelling at her children. She and her husband have since attended many programs including Fearless, Inner Strength, Radical Authenticity, PowerDialogues, Exceptional Woman, and Empower Yourself. Her husband is now a Certified Option Process Mentor/Counselor.
3 mins, 15 secs

Public Speaking- From Petrified to Perfect

Bente's fear of public speaking was impacting her performance at work and her own comfort. She was petrified! She attended a personal growth workshop at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. With the tools she learned there she not only felt more comfortable, she was hugely successful in her presentations. Listen to how she did this for herself.
5 mins 49 seconds

I Wanted To Die Until I Came To The Option Institute

Rachel had an eating disorder – she was anorexic. She also cut herself and used drugs to help her deal with her depression. Her parents were desperate. After spending six months in a psychiatric hospital, she came to The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. Rachel took the personal growth program, Inner Strength. She has continued with her studies and is now thriving, happy, and a Certified Option Process Mentor/Counselor.
6 mins 34 seconds

Love Never Hurts

Jennie's life was all drama and anxiety management. Her son had autism and she felt out of control about so many things in her life. She came to the Autism Treatment Center of America at The Option Institute to learn more about autism treatment for her son through The Son-Rise Program. She discovered a new path to love and happiness for herself as well. She returns regularly to take personal growth and empowerment workshops with Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, the co-founders of The Option Institute.
7 mins 18 seconds

Help for Life Challenges: The Option Process Dialogue

Sanne came to The Option Institute in Massachusetts from Denmark to study The Option Process Dialogue in the introductory PowerDialogues program. She has continued taking programs including Fearless, Inner Strength Empower Yourself,and Radical Authenticity.She was recently certified as an Option Process Mentor/Counselor, and was the valedictorian of her graduating class.
6 mins 33 seconds

Relationship Break-Up: Learning to Laugh Again

Louis came to The Option Institute after a devastating relationship break up. He keeps coming back for more amazing experiences. He has attended many programs including Extraordinary Man, Fearless, Radical Authenticity, Optimal Self-Trust, Empower Yourself, Calm Amid Chaos, Wide Awake, and Group Facilitator Training.
8 mins, 52 secs

Asking My Mom Why She Left Me

Emmy was always afraid to ask her mother why she left her. In the Empower Yourself, Inner Strength and Radical Authenticity programs at The Option Institute, she found the strength to ask and the understanding to accept and grow their relationship stronger, deeper, and more loving.
2 mins, 16 secs

Depression and Stuttering No More

River had struggled with severe depression and stuttering for most of his life. After coming to The Option Institute he was able to get off all his medications and his stuttering is just about gone. River returns for programs frequently, including Wide Awake, Fearless, Radical Authenticity, Optimal Self-Trust, Inward Bound, and The Happiness Option.
4 mins, 04 secs

I'm A Much Nicer Person to Live With

Nasreen's parents both died within a four month period. Lost and confused and wanting grief support, she came to The Option Institute to take self help workshops - the Fearless Program and the Calm Amid Chaos Program, taught by Barry Neil Kaufman. Her life changed drastically. She now has more positive relationships in her life and work and handles life challenges with more ease and confidence.
6 mins 22 seconds

From Anger to Love

Dodge’s anger led to his divorce and distancing people in his life. Now, after attending programs at The Option Institute, he has transformed himself from "scary" to loving. Dodge has participated in several programs including Empower Yourself, Radical Authenticity, Wide Awake, The Happiness Option, Couples Course, Group Facilitator Training, Calm Amid Chaos, and Extraordinary Man.
3 mins, 27 secs

Facing A Parent’s Death Without Fear

Mary was always afraid of losing her dad. Using the tools she learned at the Fearless program at The Option Institute, she was able to help her father at the end of his life with love, patience and comfort. She has returned often to the Institute to take other programs, including Radical Authenticity, Couples Course, Wide Awake, Calm Amid Chaos, Exceptional Woman, and Inward Bound. She is clear and excited about life and no longer uses anger when things don’t go the way she wants.
4 mins, 16 secs

Learning To Live Honestly

Lisa had a secret that had prevented her from being open and honest in romantic relationships. She traveled from New Zealand to Massachusetts in order to attend self-help workshops at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman – and she is so glad she did. In one week she worked out the biggest issue in her life! And she learned tools that have transformed the way she operates in all areas of her life
6 mins 53 seconds

I Did Not Fail My Father - I Loved Him!

For over 20 years, Scott had carried anger and guilt about his father's death. He felt like a failure and a victim. After participating in self-help programs at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, Scott learned tools that he used to change his life. He feels happier and this has impacted his personal and professional life in a wonderful way.
5 mins 31 seconds

Dancing with My Mother and My Cancer

A debilitating relationship with her mother, breast cancer three times, a double mastectomy… Joellyn has turned to The Option Institute for help and support with each of these challenges and more. Samahria Lyte Kaufman and Barry Neil Kaufman, the co-founders of The Option Institute, have worked with her in private Option Process^® Dialogue sessions as well as in self-help workshops offered at the Institute. Joellyn has created an amazing life for herself!
6 mins 03 seconds

Courage To Ask for Help- Saying Yes to Life!

Julie Ann was already on dialysis for kidney disease when she came to The Option Institute. She had been ill for much of her life. What she learned from Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and the other teachers at The Option Institute helped her find the courage to ask for help when her kidneys failed and she needed a transplant. Listen to her story
3 mins 44 seconds

Lives Changed Using The Option Process- Soldier, Lawyer, Yacht Designer, Actor

From feeling personally isolated to surviving in Afghanistan, people in a wide variety of occupations and life experiences have come from all over the world to participate in powerful and effective personal growth programs at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (Bears) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. Hear how a soldier, a lawyer, a world renowned yacht designer, and an actor have all overcome significant challenges and created happy lives.
3 mins 28 seconds

Hope For My Son

Bente, who lives in Norway, was told that her son was the most autistic child many professionals had ever seen. Now she works with her son using The Son-Rise Program and she has hope once more. She learned so much from The Son-Rise Programthat she attended programs for herself including Optimal Self Trust, Empower Yourself, Group Facilitator Training, PowerDialogues and Calm Amid Chaos.
8 mins, 52 secs

From Victim to Empowered

Rekha has a son with autism and epilepsy. She first found The Option Institute and The Son-Rise Program while looking for help for her son. After attending The Son-Rise Start-Up Program, she not only helped her son; her entire family benefited. She has returned for several programs including PowerDialgues and Calm Amid Chaos
5 mins, 43 secs

Confidence and Getting What I Want

Michelle came from an abusive family and saw the world as scary and unsafe. She kept herself very small and quiet even as an adult. After attending programs at The Option Institute, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, Michelle says she has gone "from small to big, from shy to excited, from quiet to loud." She now goes with confidence toward what she wants.
2 mins, 25 secs

Beating Depression Without Medication

Marcia was depressed for over a decade. She had checked out of life. Her doctor put her on anti-depressants but they hadn't helped to the extent that she wanted and she didn't like being on medication. She decided to attend the Fearless Program at The Option Institute in Sheffield, Massachusetts, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. Here she learned tools that she used to uncover the root cause of her depression which helped it lift. Marcia worked with her doctor when she returned home to taper off the anti-depressants. She has been medication-free for close to a year now and it has been the best year of her life!
2 mins, 25 secs

From Angry Teenager to the United Nations

Chad experienced much grief and loss as a young adult and found himself deeply confused. He went from an excellent student and athlete to barely getting by. After attending personal development retreats at The Option Institute, Chad turned his life around. You can too!
1 mins, 56 secs

Loving Myself Now!

Karlijn always thought change had to be hard, uncomfortable, judgmental and take a long time - until she came to The Option Institute founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman in Sheffield, MA. After attending personal growth programs, Karlijn learned to make changes by loving herself instead of judging herself. Now she moves toward what she wants with deep love and acceptance.
2 mins, 15 secs

Fearless After A Stroke

Ron has been attending personal growth retreat programs for ten years at The Option Institute, co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, in Sheffield, Massachusetts. When he had a stroke he handled the experience, with more ease as result of what he's learned, despite his previous fear of hospitals. He returned to the Fearless program recently because as he says, "It's all wonderful learning." Now he is excited to see what's next!
2 mins, 33 secs

Happiness Option Weekend

It can seem, to most of us, that our happiness or unhappiness is a product of the events in our lives, especially when we are facing a difficult time. This isn't surprising, given that from a young age we see fear, grief, anger, frustration and anxiety as the "normal" and "appropriate" responses to challenging events.
3 mins

Guilt, Blame, Judgment? How to Live Without Them

If you are looking for a self-help retreat, the personal growth and development programs at The Option Institute are engaging, interactive and dynamic. We believe in experiential training versus conventional lectures and seminars. As a student, you are not an observer, but rather, an active learner and participant. One of the most popular self-help programs we offer is Inner Strength.
2 mins, 18 secs

I Don't Have To Be Angry Anymore!

Ronda was angry, frustrated and unhappy almost all the time. She didn't know how to live any other way until she attended personal growth retreat programs at The Option Institute. Attending the Revitalize Your Spirit Program, she found a new way to be in the world and concrete tools to help her. She has developed a sustainable inner strength. Anger isn't necessary in her business or in her life anymore.
3 mins, 6 secs

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The Option Institute Catalogue: A Resource for Happiness!

Simon literally saved his life by reading The Option Institute's catalogue of personal growth programs! He has been attending self-help retreats at The Option Institute and using the Option Process® Dialogue and other tools to grow his happiness, his confidence and his delight by leaps and bounds! Since this video was filmed, Simon completed the rigorous training to become a Certified Option Process Mentor/Counselor.
3 mins

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Dating Without Fear: No Feeling of Rejection!

Ben is in the dating world. Before coming to a self-help retreat at The Option Institute, he dreaded the feeling of rejection he would experience when he asked a woman on a date and she said, "No, thank you" or just wanted to be friends. In this brief video, Ben shares several powerful tools he learned while attending the personal development workshop, FEARLESS at The Option Institute. The Option Institute is co-founded by Barry Neil Kaufman (author of Happiness Is A Choice) and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, located in Sheffield, Massachusetts. After attending this in-depth personal growth program, Ben now feels excited instead of rejected! He experiences life completely differently now! Watch and see...
2 mins, 49 secs

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