Choices Counseling Center

Don’t even think about going here. For addiction or any other issue. The lady that runs it is no more than a grownup schoolyard bully. Her methods have no chance in attaining a positive effect for you or your loved ones. She uses repeated and concerted verbal attacks, aligns the other members of the group against you and perhaps the worst, she doesn’t even listen to what’s said. She relies on a preconceived idea and uses bully force from there. The psychodrama vacillates from silly to abusive, and seems centered on forcing the person into a public breakdown. No real work is achieved here, just dumb brute force, insults and feeding very surface and violent emotions. At best, you’ll waste your money with Choices. At worst, you’ll drive your loved one to use more of what they use, they’ll feel more worthless or depressed, and it’s a distinct possibility that this garbage «treatment» can push someone toward suicide or self harm. It really is that bad. Stay away and look into folks that have some actual credentials and that will publish an honest success/​failure rate. DO NOT send vulnerable young people here, it’s begging for disaster.

This place is a cult! They have been reported to the state of Florida licensing center a couple times for inappropriate conduct. The group therapy is comprised of everyone from 60 year old convicted pedophiles to 16 year old girls, who have been the victims of sexual abuse. They also have a large population of heroine and crack addicts, including one boy who continued to use for about a year while in their inpatient program. They also require everyone to eat meat, even if they are a healthy vegetarian. As well they require everyone to attend a daily 6AM Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Another important factor about this program is that it is a community. People who came there 17 years ago are now out of the inpatient program, but are housing and taking care of the current inpatients. They make you believe you are helpless without them, and that you can never leave. If you do leave, no one there is allowed to contact you. Choices motto is «dare to be average». It’s all about breaking the human spirit. Not a place for those suffering from depression. This place needs to be shut down! Please do not send your child here!!!
There are so many better programs available today such as the place I went after Choices, Aim House, located in Boulder Colorado. Please explore your options even if you are desperate, many people who have attended Choices still have horrible PTSD from the experience.
Today I am attending Naropa University, extremely close to my entire family, sober, happy, and I have blue eyes ;)