About The Institute

Self Improvement Workshops The Option Institute is a not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1983 by best-selling author (Happiness Is A Choice) Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman. We have 80 teachers and...

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Help others benefit from our alternative therapy for autism. The Autism Treatment Center of America, home of The Son-Rise Program®, has helped more than 22,000 families discover an extraordinary unity and caring in coping with Autism. Children treated in T...

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Welcome! We've gathered together some information about the Berkshires and The Option Institute Campus so that you would have the most loving, nurturing and comfortable experience possible. This secti...

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Featured Workshops

Request information about alternative health and self-esteem resources.Receive a free copy of our introductory CD, "Mastering Life's Challenges" along with our catalog of Option Institute Programs! They will give you detailed information about The Option Institute and al...

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Volunteer at The Option Institute Want to make a huge difference in the lives of others while treating yourself to the experience of a lifetime? Want to work side by side with an amazing group of like-minded people from all over the...

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The Happiness Option

The Happiness Option

How often has someone asked how you’re feeling and you’ve replied, “OK”, when you really felt stressed or overwhelmed. How would you like it if you could say “I’m doing great!” and mean it . . . Really! Empirical studies have shown that people who are happy perform better at work, have stronger rel...

03/11/10 - 03/14/10
07/08/10 - 07/11/10
09/16/10 - 09/19/10

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Barry Neil Kaufman explains how you can create more love and power in your life.
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News and Events

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...

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Beliefs for Inspired Living “Bears”, Barry Neil Kaufman, Teacher, Author, & Co-Founder of The Option Institute, takes questions from participants in The Option Institute’s programs. 1. ...

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Conquering Chronic Fatigue

“After an 11 year losing battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I came to The Option Institute out of desperation, in hopes of just finding some peace in my life. I was ready to apply for disability, and give up my dream and my passion of working with children with special needs. Before I came to The Option Institute, every day was a struggle. I woke...”

Ellen Stanley, Manager/Developmental Therapists, Maine

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Join us in congratulating our newest Option Process Certified Mentors. These graduates have each mastered The Option Process Dialogue, a proven, acclaimed technique that offers an unparalleled capac...

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Enjoying Life Despite Illness

“About 3 years ago my daughter set up a Son-Rise Program® for her younger son, who had been diagnosed with autism. This was my introduction to The Option Institute and a philosophy that has not only sown the seeds of hope and possibility for my grandson, but has created new horizons in my own life. As I played with my grandson and observed him relis...”

Aziz Kazi, Retired Medical Doctor, United Kingdom

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