I went to Choices Counseling Center for treatment of sex addiction, referred there by my Baltimore counselor, Judy Burch (God rest her tough-love soul - she meant well - but she was often wrong). What I found was not therapy -- it was a circus of control, shame, and manipulation dressed up as treatment. Choices is a relic from another era, running on outdated theories and authoritarian "techniques" that do more harm than good. Their idea of healing is to break people down, shame them, and call it progress. The staff, led by Beth, mistake intimidation for insight and obedience for growth. What's worse, Beth cultivates a loyal inner circle of former patients -- people who end up defending and perpetuating the same damaging environment they once suffered under. I recognize some of their names among the glowing reviews here. Those reviews aren't proof of success; they're proof of how effective her manipulation is. She uses dependency, guilt, and even financial leverage to keep people under her thumb. Over the years, there have been multiple complaints to the Florida licensing board -- and for good reason. Choices shouldn't be in business. Their practices are unethical, outdated, and emotionally abusive. If you're struggling with sex addiction or any personal issue, do not go to Choices Counseling Center. You deserve compassion, professionalism, and actual therapy -- not trauma disguised as help. Don't be fooled by the praise. That's part of the system. read more

I couldn't believe the bad reviews for this place, but I guess it makes sense based on who the clientele is, and people hearing things they don't like/they're not ready to hear. Choices has saved me from myself many times. It is a home, a safe space, and a place to go to get your head right. If you're suffering from any addiction of any kind, or some fierce life pain, do yourself a favor and go to choices, or another place that does psychodrama therapy. Life changing, eye opening, and painful as hell sometimes, but worth the pain. Beth is so knowledgeable, and spot on that it's scary sometimes. Life is too short, get some help Jesse D read more

It's probably changed since, but you should know the history. Twenty years ago Choices Counselling Center was a therapy cult. People would come for a five-day group therapy session and never go home. An Oregon family was desperate to see their son Alex again. Dietary restrictions such as no sugar or white flour. We'd meet in brutal group therapy sessions where you'd reveal the worst things about yourself to strangers. Yes, some addicts must be torn down to nothing and rebuilt, but not all of us. And guess what? We started to enjoy the abuse. The local TV station did a two part series on the weirdness. read more

The owner is unethical and greedy. The other counselors may be amazing but she absolutely doesn't care about anything except your money. Don't come here. I'm willing to bet the good reviews are people she knows and the bad ones are the revolving door of clients who leave seeking better care elsewhere. Don't work here either. She doesn't pay qualified people worth a damn while she makes 200+ dollars an hour. She's often late to groups because she's at the salon. She's been caught screaming at clients in her office. Seriously, don't come here. read more

This place was traumatizing in so many ways. There is definitely a cult mentality. I was forced to be there from 15-19 years old. I'm doing great now that I'm gone and seeking therapy to recovery from the damage they did. They use the 12 steps and psychotherapy in a very manipulative way. There is group "therapy" that often turns into group shaming. I saw many people be abused there in so many ways (medication control, hippa violations, homophobia, antisemitism) . Gay teenagers were told they were "too young to know their sexuality. Therapists would come into your psychiatry appointments and control what you could say. Information from your personal therapy sessions were repeated to other clients. There was never any exit plan for many people. Most of my "treatment" was nonconsensual. They are masters at gaslighting. My parents put two mortgages on our home and spent my college fund trying to pay for 4 years of treatment. Do you think a 15 year old girl that was depressed , smoking weed, and taking some pills needs 4 years of treatment where they are cutoff from contact with the outside word? Overall it is a very predatory place, beware. If you have any doubts you can reads pages of people struggling after leaving on the cult education forum. It's easily found through google. read more

I was there 20+ yrs ago for drug addiction do to depression and anxiety and eating disorder. Will I'm42 now and all of my issues surrounding drug addiction was all due to my having adhd my whole life. They didn't figure that one out, instead they insisted i must have some trauma surrounding my issues in which in my case was non existent since I had a wonderful childhood but they have no other reasoning apparently for our reasons to our problems. Basically once I escaped that horrid place I went on my life journey for 20+ yrs searching and finding my reason my way in which I land at 42 and finally have started to find my yet true self and nature. wonderful scary anxiety over whelming answers. But my point is the councelors there aren't good really especially Beth. one horrible part of the cult was having all 50+ - of us sit in a large circle Around the big room . here, they expected us to call eachother out and confront people you don't even really know well at all and tell them I'm front of everyone what they see , don't like and confront you in front of a huge group staring back at you like one person says to me about my eating disorder at the time that it was gross watching my eat bc i mixed my meal together meaning like rice,chicken veggies whatever it was that day and it was really embarrassing. They would pick on this poor lady often and call her out for things I thought were so stupid and never saw any of this in her, either way I always felt so bad for her. thankfully I got out and went home to ky but I was there a good 2 yrs dealing with these freaks for counselors. All any one ever did was call eachother out all day long as we had no privacy someone was always lurking near by. They want everyone to stay and live forever in "the community" and never go home. thankfully I got out and nothing they did helped my. Think twice bc the bad reviews on here are all true read more

Beth Traynor and the Choices team are exceptionally talented at working with families dealing with addiction. Thanks to the help of Beth and the other counselors I have gained sobriety, strength, compassion and the ability to connect with others. I have experienced incredible healing in my most important relationships. I have no doubt, this would not have been possible without the help I received. read more

By far the best treatment center of its type in the country, and we looked around. It's not like a re-hab, but an outpatient center. You live in the real world. If you are from out of town, they find places to live in the area. It was a lifesaver for me and my family. We're all sober and living fulfilling lives after ending treatment. The long-term approach gave us really strong recovery and we grew emotionally and spiritually as well. Plus, because we were all involved, we now have great relationships as a family. It gave us our lives back. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees. read more

I am one of 30 adults who got sober together in Winter Park, FL with the help of Choices Counseling Center, during a one year time period, which saved my life. -- Small group thearpy and individual sessions with the counselors. -- I looked fine on the outside, had a good job, but needed some help. As well, I did a weekend of group therapy and later a 7 day long of group therapy. -- It may not be for everyone. But, It worked for me. I have 34+years of continouus sobriety, thanks to a lot of kind and tough help - with Choices Counseling Center's Director Beth T. read more

Beth Traynor is an incredibly gifted therapist and there is no place like Choices. If you are ready to change your life or help someone you love change theirs this is the place to go. I have known Beth for many years and have seen miracles of healing and transformation in so many lives including mine and others who are close to me for which I am forever grateful. Choices is progressive in treating all types of addictions and has a very strong recovery based community that supports and gives back to newcomers. I received so much guidance and hope from the women who had long term recovery. I have so much freedom and happiness in my life today and owe it all to my therapist in Baltimore and the work I did at Choices over the years. read more

I was sent here by my parents at 17, they kept me there for around 6 years until I finally ran away in the middle of the night. The shockwaves of trauma this placed caused myself and my family are still deep and seemingly irrevocable at times. read more

CCC will uncover deception, self-delusion and insincerity. CCC is not for those who hide in a body while the light fades. The staff at CCC specializes in this. No one is exempt. Many treatment professionals know this. Those who are attuned to the actual nature of conflict will not hesitate to jump in. CCC was, is and will continue to be cutting-edge. CCC is exactly what these times call for. Because of CCC, many who have been in the throes of suffering are alive. Maureen was and Beth (and 1 or 2 others) are adepts. Although we are sapient, the Traynors use(d) a sentient approach. And by helping us to see ourselves as human beings; feeling, sensitive emotional beings - we become able to reason. Period. But - but - but. The only obstacle is found by one's ego. "Instincts on rampage balk at investigation". The ease with which "safe" therapists and other treatment professionals are able to service an unknowably small set of facts is on trial here. The only evil to be found is in the rationalization of one's own ignorance. read more

I am one of the people who was told I'd be out on the street many years ago. I just celebrated 32 years sobriety so it may be safe to say that Maureen was wrong about that. And many other things. It was cult-like when I was there and many of the practices that they still use, as evidenced by these reviews, are now being proven with evidenced-based research to be harmful. I had obsessive compulsive symptoms that disappeared as soon as I left. I also suffered with PTSD-like symptoms for several years' afterward and many professionals assured me that what they do is not only unethical but not accepted practice and strange. There are so many ethical treatment facilities that treat with care. Best to find them and pass on this one. read more

Beth Traynor is an incredibly gifted therapist and there is no place like Choices. If you are ready to change your life or help someone you love change theirs this is the place to go. I have known Beth for many years and have seen miracles of healing and transformation in so many lives including mine and others who are close to me for which I am forever grateful. Choices is progressive in treating all types of addictions and has a very strong recovery based community that supports and gives back to newcomers. I received so much guidance and hope from the woman who had long term recovery. I have so much freedom and happiness in my life today and owe it all to my therapist in Baltimore and the work I did at Choices over the years. read more

I'm a very satisfied client. As a result of individual, couple and group therapy, I've been able to earn a Master's degree, forge a career in my chosen field, meet the woman of my dreams (and marry her) and deal with a number of tragedies in my life without falling apart. It was not always easy, and the help sometimes didn't feel like help, but I'm so grateful I stuck it through to the end. read more

I sent my daughter to Choices at the suggestion of a Naranon member. I felt desperate and did not investigate this place. She was there for eight months, before she left AMA, probably the healthiest thing she could have done for herself. After another rehab and working a good program, she is now 7 yrs. clean. I am a professional counselor, and in retrospect, I see what a destructive program this is. Very cultish. They use intimidation and belittling to keep the residents in line, with no end game. I have a friend whose son was there for four yrs. at a huge cost, with no discharge plan. The staff was extraordinarily rude to me, actually yelling at me a couple times on the phone when my daughter had disobeyed the rules. Significant charge to come for required family weekends, where groups were very large and consisted of older male sex addicts, video game addicts and others who were recruited just for the weekend. Family conflicts often escalated instead of being resolved before the weekend was over. Groups were too large, like 30 people, for much therapeutic work to get done. Billing staff was very unhelpful when I tried to get some insurance coverage. Many "additional charges" added to bills. Mine totaled over $60,000 after 8 mo. and insurance did not pay any of it because I could not get the proper documentation from Choices. I could go on for paragraphs. There are many options for treatment. This place may look attractive and it is located in a cute, upscale town, but do not be fooled. Look online at legal actions taken against them. My daughter's counselor was literally a crazy control freak, who refused to bring her clothing to the hospital where she detoxed after leaving the place. Very unprofessional in every aspect. Stay far away!!!!! I very much regret sending my daughter there. Kate F. read more

This place saved my daughter's life and has brought hope and healing to our family and countless others. It would be interesting to find out how the people are doing who wrote the negative reviews. How are their lives and recovery going? The lady who runs this program tells people the truth and does not coddle people in order to convince them to stay. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear and sometimes the volume needs to be cranked up in order to wake people up out of their denial. I would HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone stuggling with heir own or a loved one's addiction ... or any other issues in life that are getting in the way of peace and happiness. I am forever grateful for this place. read more

As others have said, this place is 100% a CULT. I spent a few days there in 2011, and I could tell you stories that would make your skin crawl. They knew that I figured out what was happening and IMMEDIATELY gave me a refund, no questions asked. I cannot believe they have not been shut down by the state. This review is NOT from someone who is a novice...I have a successful small business, college degree, and have been sober a number of years. I went because of struggles with an eating disorder and heard from some OA members in Baltimore about their program...apparently Choices is trying to branch out -- or recruit -- in Baltimore. Choices will attempt to brainwash you...and yes I mean that in the harshest possible way. They are very, very dangerous. Stay away at all costs. Seek help or treatment from a certified professional who can direct you to the proper help. Choices will attempt to control you and your finances, and get you to move near their expanding and very sick "society." I do not give reviews on many things, but when I heard the name mentioned recently, I felt it my moral obligation to warn others. Stay away from this very dangerous cult. read more

jess you are so full of BS, that your eye's Are brown. i am sure you have not had a sober day since you were asked to leave Choices. wake up and get your head out of the drugs and alcohol i have been in Choices for over 2.5 years and i have never been 1) Required to eat meat 2) Attened group therapy with pedophiles with 16 year old girls 3) Told i am helpless without them or could ever leave 4) Required to attend 6 AM meeting i have been asked to help new people coming to the program, just like someone helped me. i have been asked " dare to be average ' my ego and self-centerness thinking was killing me. i am sure you keep going from treatment center to treatment center, thinking this new will fix me and the old placed sucked. New places do not change the MAN I wish you good luck on your long road to recovery read more