Former Members' Statements

Statement one

O.I. is run by Barry Kaufamn (also known and "Bears"), with his wife "Suzi" but as far as I can tell he runs the show. Barry was a "successful" (according to him) advertising person, had his own company in NYC.

My experience of OI and its founders was that they are deceitful and their philosophy is basically that if you're "happy", anything goes, including lying.

If you are thinking about doing their programs or therapy "sessions", be aware that your therapy session will not be kept private even though you are told that they are. Any private or personal information that you ever say will be shared, especially how much money you have.

If you visit O.I. you will notice that the prices for everything are high. You will be told that needy families are being "helped" financially, but I never experienced this as true. Families with special needs children pay dearly for O.I. services; they have to raise the money or they basically don't get worked with.

Once O.I. gets wind that you've got some money, they will be extremely nice to you because they want some! You'll get the special red carpet treatment etc.

The grounds are quite lavish and the Kaufmans travel extensively ($). A dear friend said that if you're looking for help, spiritual, whatever, be wary of someone who has a big price tag. I think that advice would definitely apply here. If you disagree with O.I. in any way then you are labeled "unhappy". Of course, they are happy and you are not.

"Happiness is A Choice" there, so you must be making the wrong choice (other than theirs!). They'll try to get you to do a weekend and then the "8 week program". During the 8 week program they may try to find out what you've got in the bank so keep your private info to yourself! Everyone at O.I. is "happy" because they're being lied to. Once you question the lie, you have to pay more money or you're asked to leave.

Their staff are basically brainwashed, lied to and harassed. They live in constant fear of being ostracized.

A news team was at OI once and said they had never seen tighter security (better than Fort Knox!). OI is run like a tight little ship.

If you want the real story on OI try to talk to ex-staff (there's lots!). But OI will only be able to give you the name of two (because they're probably still on the payroll).

It's sad to know of people who represent themselves has "helping families", but that's their way of pulling on your purse strings!

Statement two

I spent several years at OI and I did all of their programs and trainings. Anyone who makes money doing Option probably doesn't want to say anything negative either, because it would affect their livelihood. In general it is almost impossible, I have seen, that people can admit that they were in a cult and that they were hurtful towards others and allowed themselves to be taken and abused. I know most of the people practicing Option and, although they are nice people, they may find it difficult to be honest with themselves as to what went on at the Institute. Most of these people invested years and thousands of dollars into the Institute and to admit that they were taken may be more than they can admit.

My experience of the Kaufmans is that they rarely tell the truth and they falsely raise money "for children with special needs" which I believe mostly goes into their own pockets.

Many of us have left the Institute, but few of us are brave enough to tell the truth about what went on there. We hurt ourselves and many others and that is extremely painful to admit. The Kaufmans are usually very nice to people who have money; so, if $1500 for a week program is not a stretch for your family, then you may be in the favorable income bracket. My experience of the Institute is that the staff are poorly paid, if paid at all. We were forced to work long hours, extra hours, without pay. We were forced to attend staff meetings which were emotionally abusive. If you did not agree with what went on you were told that you were crazy, making things up and "unhappy".

The personal sessions that your wife may have paid extra for are NOT confidential. Staff reports to the Kaufmans and the teachers about all sessions. In the eight week program there used to be a class on money, where the staff would find out how much money you made and then report it to the higher ups. If you have money you get the special red carpet treatment, and are personally solicited by the Kaufmans.

Much personal harm has been done by everyone who has ever been there, especially former staff members. They were witnesses if not direct participants, and to remain silent, I think, is living a lie, which hurts oneself but allows those who were hurt and betrayed to live out a life of pain, alone. Yes, time heals, but a heartfelt appology makes a world of difference. Only another ex-cult victum would truly understand my message.