About Us » Who We Are
Who We Are
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 associates on staff and in-house. These individuals are full-time employees, not guest lecturers or temporary help. Thanks to their experience and continuity of instruction, our clients enjoy an unparalleled experience in inner strength training. On this page you can read more about our founders, our teachers and our staff.
Our Founders
The Option Institute International Learning
and Training Center, is a nonprofit, educational
organization founded in 1983 by Barry (Bears) Neil
Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, who actively
teach in Institute programs. Barry Neil Kaufman
is the best-selling author of 12 books (one written
jointly with his wife) on The Option Process® and
The Son-Rise Program®, including Happiness Is
A Choice, Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues, and
PowerDialogues. There are over three million
copies of their books in print in over 65 countries.
They have received the Christopher Award twice
and the Humanitas Prize for writing books and a
screenplay that celebrate the dignity and inspiration
of humanity.
Bears and Samahria started teaching The Option Process in 1972 and 11 years later established The Option Institute offering self-improvement workshops to adults. The Option Institute is situated on an expansive 100-acre campus on a Berkshire mountainside in Massachusetts and has a full-time staff of over 75 dedicated individuals. In the last ten years, individuals from 80+ different countries have attended programs at The Option Institute.
The Kaufmans are also the originators of The Son-Rise
Program which is taught at the Autism Treatment
Center of America™, a division of The Option Institute.
The Son-Rise Program methodology evolved when
their son, Raun, was diagnosed with Autism. Refusing
to give up on their son’s future, Bears and Samahria
worked over 8 hours a day with Raun for more than
three years, resulting in his full recovery from Autism.
Raun went on to graduate from an Ivy League university and to become the director of an educational center for school-aged children. Today he is the Director of Global Education at The Option Institute and the Autism Treatment Center of America. Raun teaches on campus in addition to lecturing worldwide to help parents of children challenged by Autism or other developmental difficulties. Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues, the story of Bears’ and Samahria’s work with Raun, became a bestselling book and award-winning NBCTV movie viewed worldwide.
The Kaufmans wanted to express their gratitude in a further more personal way for what they had learned in their journey with their son Raun. In addition to raising their own three children, they chose to adopt three more children from circumstances of trauma.
One of their sons had been seriously malnourished, resulting in physiological, motor and other challenges. Bears and Samahria worked with him and he thrived, demonstrating a keen mind and a wonderful ability to learn. Another son, who’s mother had died and who had his throat slit by his birth father, found support, guidance and love in the expanding Kaufman family. Their adoption of an eleven year old girl from El Salvador, also a trauma survivor, completed their expanding multi-racial, multi-cultural family … still growing ever more with grandchildren.
The Option Institute and the work of Bears and Samahria Kaufman have been featured in over 2,000 articles and programs published or broadcast in major media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Parenting Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Good Morning America and in interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Phil Donahue among others.
The Kaufmans’ books and works have been endorsed by well-respected figures including President Jimmy Carter, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Carl Rogers, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Bernie Siegel, Norman Cousins, Lou Holtz, John Bradshaw, and Harold S. Kushner.
Bears says of his life’s work... "For Samahria and me, we clearly see our personal challenges as gifts to help us grow stronger and to create more love and sustained happiness in our lives. Our life’s work has allowed us the privilege, honor, and blessing to be able to help others facing their own challenges. Not just to teach them how to find their own best solutions to adversity and the surprises of life, but also to teach them a solid methodology and attitude they can implement to fill their own lives with a sense of ease, self-trust, empowerment and happiness. The title of my book, Happiness Is A Choice, speaks to the heart of what’s possible – to choose happiness and love even during tough times."
Testimonials for Bears and Samahria Kaufman
The search for peace in the world must start within the human heart and within our own families. Barry Neil Kaufman understands that. By personal example and through his writing and counseling, he gives a compelling vision for the building of inner and outer peace.
President Jimmy Carter, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
If there were a Nobel Prize for love, I'd want the Kaufmans to be the first to receive one.
Dr. Wayne Dyer, Author, Change Your Thoughts — Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao
Barry Neil Kaufman champions making the choice to believe in ourselves, to be hopeful and seize the power of loving ourselves and others.
Lou Holtz, Head Football Coach, University of Notre Dame
Inspiring, groundbreaking and visionary. Barry Neil Kaufman's work is the science of love, compassion and insight which will transform the world.
Deepak Chopra M.D., Author, Quantum Healing
I have long admired the work of Barry Neil Kaufman. He reveals the options and choices we can all make to find the road to happiness. Simple and effective for all.
Bernie Siegel M.D., Author, Love, Medicine, and Miracles
Barry Neil Kaufman's work affirms the unlimited potential of the human spirit and offers hope to those who have been challenged by adversity.
Coretta Scott King, Founder, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Our Teachers
Bears and Samahria started teaching The Option Process® in 1972 and 11 years later established The Option Institute. Over the years, they have recruited and trained an amazing set of teachers. Please take some time and get to know some of our wonderful teachers by clicking on their pictures below. Enjoy!
 Barry "Bears" Neil Kaufman |
 Samahria Lyte Kaufman |
 William Hogan |
 Beverly Haberman |
 Stan Cohen |
 Raun K. Kaufman |
 Clyde Haberman |
 Bryn N. Hogan |
 Leah Taylor Roy |
Bears Kaufman
- Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Option Institute.
- Teaching The Option Process® worldwide for 38 years.
- Author of 12 books on The Option Process
- Noted international speaker, Group Facilitator and teacher
- Co-Originator of The Son-Rise Program® for children with Autism and developmental challenges
Fun Facts about Barry (Bears) Neil Kaufman
- Favorite Indulgence: Starbuck's Mocha Frappachino
- Greatest Accomplishment: "Taking responsibility for my happiness and unhappiness."
Testimonials for Barry (Bears) Neil Kaufman
The search for peace in the world must start within the human heart and within our own families. Barry Neil Kaufman understands that. By personal example and through his writing and counseling, he gives a compelling vision for the building of inner and outer peace.
President Jimmy Carter, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
If there were a Nobel Prize for love, I'd want the Kaufmans to be the first to receive one.
Dr. Wayne Dyer, Author, Change Your Thoughts — Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao
Barry Neil Kaufman champions making the choice to believe in ourselves, to be hopeful and seize the power of loving ourselves and others.
Lou Holtz, Head Football Coach, University of Notre Dame
Inspiring, groundbreaking and visionary. Barry Neil Kaufman's work is the science of love, compassion and insight which will transform the world.
Deepak Chopra M.D., Author, Quantum Healing
I have never experienced a more brilliant teacher. Bears consistently puts every participant in the 'playroom' and constantly and lovingly gives each of us the opportunity to question ourselves, love ourselves even more, and to find out what our 'new' best self is. My love for the man whose courage and curiosity created The Option Institute is only slightly less than my overwhelming gratitude.
Shelley Stravitz, Educational Consultant, California
Bears is the most effective teacher I have ever had--and I've spent most of my life being mentored and taught by some of the "top" people in the world. He enters the room and there is an electrifying energy and presence radiating from him. His rapid fire, stream of consciousness style kept me on my toes or on the edge of my seat in every class.
Melinda Sharma, Immunologist, Rochester, NY
Samahria Lyte Kaufman
- Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Option Institute.
- Teaching The Option Process® worldwide for 35 years.
- Co-Originator of The Son-Rise Program® for children with Autism and developmental challenges.
- Co-Author of A Sacred Dying.
Fun Facts about Samahria:
- Greatest Accomplishment: "Nurturing my son out of autism."
- An Inspiring Book That She Recently Read: Man's Search for Meaning, by: Viktor E. Frankl
Testimonials:
I bring Samahria my questions, the ones I feel most vulnerable with, and seeing them through her eyes, with humor, compassion, and wisdom, I find the next octave of me.
Wendy Musk, Teacher, Newton, CT
Energetic, outrageous, exceptional woman, an absolute inspiration; she embodies everything we can be. Samahria's energy is so powerful that she fills the whole room and is so giving, loving, and accepting of everybody. It's like she has a fine tuned radar to know who to go to and how and when to stretch them.
Zobeeda Madsen, Son-Rise Mom, Spain
I wish I could take this graceful lady home with me! What a bubbly, effervescent wealth of knowledge and experience Samahria is!
Tammy Patchell-Evans, Son-Rise Program Mom/Dance Studio Owner, Canada
Delightful. Joyous. Irreverent. Samahria is a fun teacher! Who could be better? She is a gem.
Valerie Gilbert, Actress, New York
William Hogan
- Practicing The Option Process® for 17 years
- Executive Director of Programs
Son-Rise Program Teacher and Teacher Trainer - Option Process Group Facilitator and Teacher in North America, Europe and the Middle East
- Previous Backgroud: Broadcast Engineer for the BBC
Fun Facts about William:
- Favorite indulgence: Playing soccer every Monday night in an over 40’s league.
- Greatest Accomplishment: "Running a Son-Rise Program for my daughter Jade.
Testimonials:
I would stuff William in my luggage and bring him home if I could! He showed energy, excitement and enthusiasm so perfectly and has a delightful quality that assists folks in dropping judgments and getting down to business.
Brian Hooker, Research Scientist, Washington
William is an awesome teacher, leader, father, friend, and person. He clearly communicated the tools we need to implement a Son-Rise program and did so by example with the principles of acceptance, caring, and non-judgment. He taught, he listened, he inspired. William is truly gifted and I feel lucky to have had the benefit of his teaching.
Andrea Pollack, Attorney, NYC
William is a superb facilitator. I have learned so much from him in 5 days. On behalf of my son, myself, and the rest of my family - a big thank you. Your method is perfect - very clear, relevant, and done with flair. A personal message for William: 'Thank you very much. I've taught adults myself and I know a gifted professional when I see one.
Sean Driscoll, Translator, Wales
William is a very animated and resourceful teacher. The one you have always dreamed of meeting and having as your life guide.
Violetta Maj-Jedrzejak, Teacher, Poland
Beverly Haberman
- Practicing The Option Process® for 16 years
- Special Projects Communications Coordinator
- Certified Option Process Mentor-Counselor, Group Facilitator and Teacher Trainer
- Previous Background: Professional Musician and Teacher
Fun Facts about Beverly:
- Favorite Pastime: Strolling through the streets of Great Barrington with Clyde as we eat and shop our way through a Saturday afternoon.
- Greatest Accomplishment: "Learning to stand tall in who I am."
Testimonials:
Beverly's excitement for The Option Process is what got me here! Her continued excitement surrounding what she does here is amazing. I enjoy being around someone who is so passionate. When she walks into the room, I find that I want to hear everything she has to say.
Kristine Jones, Interior Designer, New Jersey
Beverly is a sweet soul who quietly teaches with confidence and compassion. She passes on her knowledge succinctly and clearly. Her explanation of the Option Process® Dialogue is to the point and easy to understand. Clarity is her trademark.
Michael Pearl, Lawyer, England
Stan Cohen
- Practicing The Option Process® for 9 years
- Certified Option Process Mentor/Counselor, Group Facilitator and Teacher
- Previous background: Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors for a publicly traded bank
Fun Facts about Stan:
- Favorite Place to Be: "On a beach in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, overlooking the beautiful white sanded beach in front of the turquoise Caribbean Sea."
- One Way He Loves to Spend His Free Time: "Training with my children, as a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do."
Testimonials:
Great, wonderful enthusiasm, and sense of humor. He expressed amazing interest in all of us.
Julia K. McCaughey, Real Estate Salesperson, New York
Stan exudes a calm intensity that gently pushes me to my limits and then some. I felt his wisdom and love through his teaching.
Joel Witherspoon, Counselor, North Carolina
This man has amazing skills! His energy lit up the room. His questions challenged and delighted everyone. We played, we worked and we celebrated our discoveries together. I want more Stan.
Mark Lindsay, Boatbuilder, Massachussetts
Raun Kaufman
- CEO of The Option Institute&Autism Treatment Center of America™
- Practicing The Option Process® for 18 years
- Seminar Leader for Business Executives and Educators in North America and Europe
- Certified Option Process Mentor-Counselor, Group Facilitator and Teacher Trainer
- Degree in Biomedical Ethics, Brown University
- Advisory Board Member, United States Autism & Asperger Association (USAAA)
- Certified Son-Rise Program® Teacher and Teacher/Trainer
Fun Facts about Raun K. Kaufman:
- What's your favorite movie? American History X - an earth-shattering movie about race in America, bigotry, personal change, and redemption, that ends with a powerfully gutsy conclusion.
- Two current projects I am excited about: Conducting studies on The Son-Rise Program® to be published in peer-reviewed journals and development of new curriculum for the Institute’s business programs.
Testimonials:
Raun is a ball of fire and a great spark in our midst. An excellent facilitator, Raun's rapport with us was unique. He created energy constantly, and I was jazzed every moment with him. Raun is a wise, insightful, articulate philosopher and true humanitarian.
Donna Hal, Management
Raun is energetic, dramatic, wise, articulate, immensely loving and delightful. He kept the group spell-bound.
Jane Buckle, Director, New York
Raun is the most outstanding teacher I have ever encountered. Truly exceptional. Raun has such enthusiasm – it radiates from him.
Hilary Farmer, Dyslexia Educational Consultant, England
Clyde Haberman
- Practicing The Option Process® for 16 years
- Director of Major Gifts
- Certified Option Process® Mentor/Counselor, Group Facilitator and Teacher/Trainer
- Previous background: Professional Musician and Performer
Fun Facts About Clyde Haberman
- The best thing I've done for myself this year - take Wide Awake and be a student again
- A perfect morning: up at 5:30, exercise till 6:30, practice clarinet till 7:30, breakfast and off to the OI
Testimonials for Clyde Haberman
Clyde's relaxed, calming and loving style was an inspiration to me throughout the program. His genuine belief that happiness is a choice was clearly articulated and convincingly put forward. His non directive and inclusive approach towards the group was balanced and effective. Without doubt, a master facilitator.
Wayne Thomas, Learning & Development Consultant, England
Clyde delivers the teachings with great clarity, conviction and fun. ...He comes from a place of genuine understanding and humility and invites you to step forward with trust and honesty. He is brilliant at creating a safe learning place that is easeful and profound.
Starr Cornell, Administrative Assistant, Great Barrington, MA
Clyde is nurturing, fun, playful, considerate, poetic and loving. He created a safe environment to explore the inner parts of myself, the shadow-side that was aching to be noticed.
Jane Buckle, Director, New York
Clyde is a great teacher and leader. I enjoy the poems he shares, his exuberance and excitement about being here, and being part of our process of authentication.
Julia K. McCaughey, Retail Manager, Connecticut
Bryn Hogan
- Practicing The Option Process® for 18 years
- Executive Director of Autism Treatment Center of America™
- Certified Son-Rise Program® Teacher and Teacher/Trainer
- Option Process Group Facilitator and Teacher in North America, Europe and the Middle East
- Previous background: Special Education Teacher and Case Manager
Fun Facts about Bryn Hogan
- Greatest Accomplishments: "Running my daughter's Son-Rise Program®, adopting my children, healing my body of cardiac health challenge and directing the Autism Treatment Center of America™ for 10 years.
- Greatest Realization: That I create my own internal experience and that I could teach others to do the same
- Favorite Indulgence: Watching Netflix while I do cardio
Testimonials for Bryn Hogan
Bryn is a superb facilitator who delivers her subject brilliantly with humor and style. She is a sincere, genuine person who is sensitive to the mood of the audience. I have learned so much from her in 5 days. A personal message for Bryn: 'I will be forever indebted to you for everything I have learned. You are a true inspiration!'
Sean Driscoll, Translator, Wales
Bryn is powerful, sharp, keen-witted, intelligent and fearless. One just knows that Bryn can move mountains and does. She is a powerful facilitator.
Laine Jastram, Therapist, Texas
Her warmth, her ability to connect, her humor and her love radiated in the room. She's a dynamic speaker who can also bring you to tears in an instant, because she lets you see her love, and her heart.
Barbara Partazana, Insurance, Florida
I have never been in the presence of a more powerful, beautiful, articulate speaker. Oh, and she could easily be a successful stand-up comic. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've shared this week. I am a better person for having known you.
Jill Liebler, Mother/Homemaker, Texas
Leah Taylor Roy
- Practicing The Option Process® for 9 years
- Certified Option Process Mentor/Counselor, Group Facilitator and Teacher
- Previous background: Management Consulting and Finance
Fun Facts about Leah Taylor Roy
- An Inspiring Book That She Recently Read: The World is Flat, by Thomas L. Friedman
- Favorite Types of Cuisine: Moroccan and Mediterranean
Testimonials for Leah Taylor Roy:
I feel she has a softness and understanding of everyone she comes in contact with. She communicates straight from the heart. Her teachings and messages are amazing.
Debbie Mokhlessin, Banker, California
Excellent bundle of brilliant energy, clarity and curiosity. Excellent dialogue processor!
Dennis Dougherty, CEO - Landscape, Mill Valley, CA
Incredible...just a beautiful, perfect soul-Leah was 100% present and "in the attitude" with the class; extremely effective and wise I felt very safe in her presence.
Raele Ohana, Sales Rep, California
Leah displays a delightful presence. She is open and accepting and loving. She is so accepting and wants the best for you so it is easy to grow in transforming and powerful ways.
Patrick Davenport, Venture Capital, Massachusetts
Key Staff
The Option Institute employs more than seventy full-time staff members. Our staff bring together diverse backgrounds and broad reaching experience within the fields of education, health, human behavior, applied science, the arts and corporate and entrepreneurial business. Their unique knowledge and expertise help drive our initiatives forward. Please take a moment to read about some of our staff below.
Zoe Zappa Senior Adult Program Counselor |
Jan-Marie Gundacker Family Counselor |
|
Dane Griffith Director of Administrative Services |
Liz Sturm Chief Financial Officer |
Brian Nelson Family Counselor |
Zoe Zappa
- Senior adult program counselor
- Practicing The Option Process for 17 years
- Used to be an operating room scrub nurse
- 3 children - 25, 21 and 19 (all of them take programs here)
Fun Facts about Zoe
- Greatest Accomplishments: When I realized that I am fully responsible for what I think and feel and moving from the mountains of Colorado to work at The Option Institute to support others with their journey to personal happiness.
- Favorite pastime: Walking in nature – collecting rocks, wood, feathers and interesting bugs, and surrounding my life with nature.
Dane Griffith
- Director of Administrative Services
- Working at The Option Institute for 10 years
- Previous Background: Engineering Management
- Current Interest: Holistic Nutrition
Fun Facts about Dane
- Favorite place to be: At my home in Sheffield, on the deck, in a lounge chair next to Liz, dogs playing in the yard, tea mug in hand, deep blue sky with white puffy clouds overhead, nowhere to go and nothing to do – it doesn’t get any better than this!
- Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Liz Sturm
- Head of Finance department since 2002.
- First introduced to the Option Process in 1993.
- Moved from upstate NY to join staff in 1998 because love what OI teaches.
- Loves hanging out on the deck with Dane and our 4 rescue dogs
- Married Dane in 2004 in the Option House.
Fun Facts about Liz
- Favorite indulgence a week in Palm Springs with my honey – hiking trails, dining on veggie burritos and margaritas at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and soaking up the warmth of the California sun.
- Greatest accomplishment: Co-creating a safe comfortable loving home for my family.
Brian Nelson
- Senior family counselor and staff member for 6 years
- Practicing The Son Rise Program for over 10 years
- Son Rise Dad, Brian and his Wife successfully recovered son from Autism and PDD
Fun Facts about Brian
- I will often be at an event or family gathering and watch Jake be like any other teenager. I then find myself nudging Susan my wife and saying see this is what other people do, they go places there kids have fun and then they all go home together.
Jan-Marie Gundacker
- Son-Rise Program Family Counselor
- Practicing The Option Process® for 10 years
- Certified Option Process® Mentor/Counselor
- Previous background: executive director and development director of nonprofit agencies feeding the hungry and teaching adults to read; counselor and coach; published writer.
Fun Facts about Jan-Marie
- Favorite place to be: walking the beach and boards of the Jersey Shore talking to God and basking in the joyful, exquisite beauty of our world.
- Greatest Accomplishments: my son and daughter, my two biggest miracles; learning to love by watching my mother; seeing the gifts in cancer, twice.
