Depression, anxiety, addictions and relationship problems are a choice.

That’s the thought process at Choose Again, Centre for Attitudinal Healing, where clients are taught that their diagnosed illnesses are manifestations of deeper problems.

According to director Diederik Wolsak, people who are depressed can choose not to be, and the commonly accepted theories that depression is related to genes or chemicals in the brain are myths.

Wolsak believes the condition is a symptom of people’s subconscious beliefs of self-hatred – or other negative thoughts – which they have the ability to change.

“Depression from our point of view is, ‘I’m denying myself of love,’” he said. “If I correct those beliefs, I’ll heal myself and no longer be depressed. That’s how simple it is.”

It’s a controversial concept that helped South Surrey resident Christie Dakin through marital issues, and what inspired the former travel agent to become a certified counsellor.

She joined the staff of the non-profit Choose Again Society six years ago, and now helps look after its Vancouver operations.

Wolsak, on the other hand, spends most of his time in Costa Rica, where the recovery centre is located.

Since opening the centre four years ago, the group has had about 200 clients. Most have been from Vancouver; one of the first was a White Rock resident.

Visitors deal with everything from bipolar disorder, anorexia and schizophrenia to alcoholism and problems with relationships. The one commonality is each is looking to make a life change.

Costa Rica is the ideal location for the centre, Wolsak said, because the warm climate allows clients to spend time in nature, the colours are therapeutic and the country has been called the happiest place in the world.

“And people feel that as soon as they arrive. There’s something about Costa Rica that’s very joyful and happy.”

All ages are welcome, and up to seven clients are at the centre at a time. The shortest stay has been a couple of days; the longest was six months.

The cost is $300 per day, and activities listed on www.choose-again.com include meditation, yoga, hikes, swimming, art therapy, journaling, one-on-one sessions and group circles.

Wolsak said the program offers a non-pharmaceutical alternative, and the majority of clients are now medication-free.

When asked about the potential dangers of discontinuing medication, he said clients can choose to stay on their prescriptions, and the centre has two certified psychiatrists on staff.

“The focus is on having a truly alive experience. You cannot have a truly alive experience on chemicals – whether legal or illegal, it doesn’t make a difference.”

Wolsak said drugs deal with the symptoms, not the problem, and their use can lead to adverse side effects, which people remedy with more medication.

“That, to me, is the scandal of this whole approach to healing,” he said. “There are definitely circumstances where medication is invaluable, but when it becomes a lifestyle... I don’t see the point.”

Despite critics who assert otherwise, Wolsak said if people intercept and change their negative beliefs about themselves, the symptoms that have manifested as a result – whether it be drug addiction or anxiety – will cease.

He said the centre has a minimum 85 per cent success rate.

“There’s a lot of disbelief that it could be that simple. My response is, what if it is?” he said. “There’s nothing new about this, it’s just not being very welcomed.

“Western society has taken the position your thoughts are beyond your control.”

Wolsak – who developed the methodology after beginning recovery from alcohol and drug abuse 15 years ago – said those who believe their clinical illness is biological prefer to be “victims” and can’t accept there is nothing wrong with them.

“That whole world is very much opposed that it’s a choice.”

Dakin said the concept of choice should be seen as empowering, because it means people have the power to turn their life around.

“We have a couple doctors who really support our program,” she said. “I think it’s more getting the word out and understanding what the program is.

“When people understand what we’re doing, there’s not much to disagree about, unless you want to stay in your victim position.”

As a director and co-facilitator with the society, Dakin said she has seen the difference it makes.

“I see people before they leave and I see people when they come back, and the transformations are absolutely incredible – and they’re long-term changes,” she said. “Change your beliefs and your world starts changing.”

On top of leading weekly group circles, Dakin also offers support for clients returning from the centre.

“I just love this work. It’s very exciting,” she said. “It’s basically about goodness and love. What we do in Costa Rica changes lives.”