Directions

Transportation by Car

  NOTE: For GPS navigation and taxi sevices, use 564 Under Mountain Rd, Salisbury, CT 06068.

From The Airport:

The following links provide driving directions to The Option Institute from area airports using Google Maps.  

Limousine/Taxi Service:

Local transportation services are available from various regional airports. The costs of these services vary to/from The Option Institute. Please confirm the rate with the limousine/taxi service. Extra charges for waiting time may apply due to late flight delays, etc. Prices do not include gratuity. Savings tip: travel in a group! When booking your limousines/taxis, ask to travel with another participant arriving around the same time to save money. Connecticut:
  • Lakeville Taxi 19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 860.435.8000
Massachusetts:
  • AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508.791.9100
  • Park Taxi Service 235 Water Street, Lee, MA 413.243.0020
  • Rainbow Taxi 10 Pleasant Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.499.4300
  • Taxico 974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230 413.528.0911 Contact Elaine via email:boeli@webtv.net
All prices quoted are subject to change. Please confirm with the transportation company before your trip. Local Car Rentals:
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car 305 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington, MA 413.644.9644
  • Larkin Enterprises 974 S. Main St., Great Barrington, MA 413.528.2156
 

Transportation by Train

From Most Locations: Amtrak There is a daily Amtrak train, the Lake Shore Limited, which travels from locations such as Boston MA, Albany NY and Springfield MA to Pittsfield, MA. The Option Institute is 33 miles via local taxi from Pittsfield. Amtrak 1.800.872.7245 or 1.413.785-4230 www.amtrak.com From New York City: Commuter Train
  1. From Grand Central Station, take the Metro North Train to Wassaic, NY Metro North Train 800.METRO.INFO or 1.212.532.4900 $13.25 (off peak hours) or $17.75 (peak hours)
  2. From Wassaic to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Lakeville Taxi is the least expensive option. Lakeville Taxi 19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 860.435.8000
From JFK/La Guardia Airports, New York City, NY:
  1. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Grand Central Station in Manhattan, 42nd Street. New York Airport Service Bus 718.875.8200
  2. From Grand Central Station, take the Metro North Train to Wassaic, NY Metro North Train 800.METRO.INFO or 1.212.532.4900 $13.25 (off peak hours) or $17.75 (peak hours)
  3. From Wassaic to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Lakeville Taxi is the least expensive option. Lakeville Taxi 19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 860.435.8000
From Newark Airport, Newark, NJ:
  1. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Grand Central Station in Manhattan, 42nd Street. Olympia Airport Express 877.894.9155
  2. From Grand Central Station, take the Metro North Train to Wassaic, NY Metro North Train 800.METRO.INFO or 1.212.532.4900 $13.25 (off peak hours) or $17.75 (peak hours)
  3. From Wassaic to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Lakeville Taxi is the least expensive option. Lakeville Taxi 19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 860.435.8000
 

Transportation by Bus

From JFK/La Guardia Airports, New York City, NY:
  1. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. New York Airport Service Bus 718.875.8200
  2. From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take the bus to Sheffield, MA. Bonanza Bus Lines 800.556.3815
  3. From Sheffield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. AA Transportation and Taxico are the least expensive options. AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508.791.9100 Taxico 974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230 1.413.528.0911
From Newark Airport, Newark, NJ:
  1. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Olympia Airport Express 877.894.9155
  2. From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take the bus to Sheffield, MA. Bonanza Bus Lines 800.556.3815
  3. From Sheffield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. AA Transportation and Taxico are the least expensive options. AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508.791.9100 Taxico 974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230 1.413.528.0911
From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal:
  1. From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take the bus to Sheffield, MA. Bonanza Bus Lines 800.556.3815
  2. From Sheffield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. AA Transportation and Taxico are the least expensive options. AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508.791.9100 Taxico 974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230 1.413.528.0911
From Boston, MA:
  1. Arrive at South Station, 700 Atlantic Ave in downtown Boston, and take a bus to Springfield, with a connection to Lee, MA. Peter Pan Bus Lines 800.237.8747 Springfield Bus Terminal 1.413.781.2900
  2. From Lee, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Park Taxi is the least expensive option. Park Taxi Service 235 Water Street, Lee, MA 413.243.0020
From Logan International Airport, Boston, MA:
  1. From Logan International Airport to South Station, take the shuttle marked, “South Station” (averages $6.00). If you need assistance, inquire at the transportation/ information desk at the airport baggage claim area.
  2. From South Station, 700 Atlantic Ave in downtown Boston, take a bus to Springfield, with a connection to Lee, MA. Peter Pan Bus Lines 800.237.8747 Springfield Bus Terminal 1.413.781.2900
  3. From Lee, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Park Taxi is the least expensive option. Park Taxi Service 235 Water Street, Lee, MA 413.243.0020
From Albany, NY:
  1. 1) Arrive at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, 34 Hamilton Street, and take a bus to Sheffield, Lee or Pittsfield, MA. Greyhound Bus Lines 800.231.2222 Bonanza Bus 1.800.556.3815 Peter Pan Bus Lines 1.800.237.8747
  2. From Sheffield, Lee, or Pittsfield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. From Sheffield, and Lee, AA Transport and Taxico are the least expensive. From Pittsfield, Rainbow Taxi is least expensive option. Rainbow Taxi 10 Pleasant Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.499.4300 Taxico 974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230 1.413.528.0911 AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 1.508.791.9100
From Albany Airport, Albany, NY:
  1. From the airport, take a local bus (about $1.00) or a taxi (around $13.00) to the Greyhound Bus Terminal at 34 Hamilton St. Capital District Transit Authority 518.482.8822 Albany Airport 1.518.242.2200
  2. From the Greyhound Bus Terminal, 34 Hamilton Street, and take a bus to Sheffield, Lee or Pittsfield, MA. Greyhound Bus Lines 800.231.2222 Bonanza Bus 1.800.556.3815 Peter Pan Bus Lines 1.800.237.8747
  3. From Sheffield, Lee, or Pittsfield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. From Sheffield, and Lee, AA Transport and Taxico are the least expensive. From Pittsfield, Rainbow Taxi is least expensive option. Rainbow Taxi 10 Pleasant Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 413.499.4300 Taxico 974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230 1.413.528.0911 AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 1.508.791.9100

Parking

Parking lots are provided with enough parking spaces for everyone in your program. Please do not park your car in any other location on the property other than the parking lots. If you find problems with parking, please let the Participant Support Representative know (in the dining hall, during lunch) and they will take care of any special circumstances.

Emergencies

During office hours, please obtain assistance from our staff in the main office. They can also be reached by calling 413-229-2100 or 1-800-714-2779. If you need to be reached during a family emergency, family members may call the main office during office hours and a message will be delivered to you based upon the urgency of the situation. For an after office hours emergency or guesthouse problem, please obtain assistance from Kelly in the Arbor House. She can be reached on her emergency pager 413-290-5297 or on her toll free emergency pager 888-325-8797. Please leave a message including your name, location, and the nature of your emergency or specific problem.

Local Towns

In Connecticut Which is out the driveway and to the right (Route 41 South) — are the towns of Salisbury and (a little farther) Lakeville. You will find a Laundromat in Lakeville and a grocery store in Salisbury. Both towns have a variety of small shops and restaurants. There is also a post office, a pharmacy, and a bank with an ATM in Salisbury. In Massachusetts Which is out the driveway and to the left (Route 41 North). About 4 miles down the road, turn right onto Berkshire School Road. At the end of Berkshire School Road turn left onto Route 7 North. This will take you into the town of Sheffield. About 6 miles up the road is Great Barrington. The closest shops are in Sheffield where there is a small market, post office and gas station. In Great Barrington, you will find several Laundromats, a movie theater, two shopping centers, and many other shops and services as well as banks. Check the bulletin board on the participant side of the Mountain House for a detailed list of “Area Services”. A copy of this is also available in the Main Office.

What To Bring With You

  • Clothing:As you are packing, please plan for the unpredictable nature of New England weather. We typically have a warm humid Summer, crisp cool Autumn, freezing snowy Winter, and cool rainy Spring. Please check the Berkshire Mountain area weather forecast before packing.
    • Informal, loose-fitting clothing that you would be comfortable wearing for gentle stretching exercises or sitting on the floor
    • Shoes that slip on and off easily. We remove shoes inside the buildings and shoes that don’t require a lot of effort to put on or take off such as sandals, moccasins, or loafers are best. You may also want to bring indoor slippers to wear inside the buildings (optional).
    • Walking shoes and comfortable study clothes for outdoor activities, as well as hiking boots if you wish to go hiking during your stay.
    • Hooded rain jacket/poncho and umbrella (all seasons)
    • Boots in Winter/Spring: We get lots of snow, ice and mud, so bring footwear that is waterproof and prevents slipping on ice
    • Warm outerwear from Oct – April: you will do a good deal of walking between buildings, so be prepared with warm jackets, gloves, hat, etc.
    • Bathing suit (summer)
    • “Dressy” clothes should you wish to visit area cultural events & restaurants in the evenings
  • Toiletries (including soap)
  • Alarm clock
  • Journal / notebook and pen
  • A water bottle for drinking water in class, or while walking around property
  • TheSon-Rise Program® Start-Up Manual if coming for “Maximum Impact” or “New Frontiers”
  • A light bag or knap-sac to carry materials and personal items around with you
  • Stationary (stamps are available for purchase at the Main Office)
  • Flashlight
  • Insect repellent (spring and summer)
  • Photo-identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
  • Telephone calling card (also available for purchase at the Op-Shop/Bookstore and Registration Check-in)
  • A portable CD player if you wish to listen to any lecture tapes you might purchase or loan during your stay
  • Please leave unnecessary valuables (expensive jewelry) at home. There are no safes on the property and you cannot lock your room door unless you are inside.
Please Note: Pets, candles, incense, alcohol, and non-prescription drugs are not allowed on property.

US 1 (413) 229-2100
INT. 001 (413) 229-2100

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The Option Institute and its teachers have had the honor to present programs (during the last four decades) that explore the attitudes and beliefs we have (and may want to change) and to help program participants find their own answers to questions about relationships, careers, family challenges and health issues. Our new program, 5 Days to Live, Defying a Terminal Cancer Prognosis , focuses on navigating significant health challenges and decision-making with greater ease, clarity, and clear purpose.

We are not a medical facility and we do not dispense any medical advice. We have and would always guide our program participants, to consult with their doctors, healthcare providers, and family members in making medical decisions for themselves and those they love. Neither Mass General Hospital nor any member of its medical staff endorses any program being offered by the Option Institute and its teachers.

NOTE: Attendance of live sessions via Zoom are required to complete this course.

Please note, this is a per-person registration

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PRE-REQUISITES for attending Advanced Power Dialogues are:

  • Completion of The Option Institute’s PowerDialogues program.
  • If it’s been more than 5 years since you attended PowerDialogues, please call 413-229-2100 to discuss options.

NOTE: Attendance of live sessions via Zoom are required to complete this course.

Please note, this is a per-person registration

CONTINUE

Dear Donor,

Jeannie Reid was searching for answers to the challenges she and her family were facing. Jeannie and her husband Stuart’s son, Carson, had been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a condition on the Autism spectrum. For Carson that meant being completely involved in obsessive behaviors and only using minimal words to identify objects, as well as frequently and completely melting down.

Soon after, Jeannie found the book, “Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues” and when she read it, she KNEW she had found what she was looking for. She began using some of the Son-Rise techniques described in the book on her own until she was able to come to The Autism Treatment Center of America for the Son-Rise Program Start-Up. As she put into practice what she learned there, Carson’s world was opening up. Today Carson is attending a Montessori school as a 'typical' student and functioning at or above typical grade level, being fully verbal and conversational, and very interested in learning about the world and interacting as much as possible with other people. He is even taking swim lessons at the local YMCA and doing great!

“It has been wonderful to get, and stay connected with other people and Son-Rise parents from all over the world. My son’s progress had already come very far, but now I truly believe we can go all the way!”

Jeannie wrote.

Stuart Reid then attended the Empower Yourself course and brought home a new sense of clarity, balance and personal power. He shared his new empowerment with Jeannie and she in turn gained in confidence, strength and enthusiasm. Their own relationship began to flourish anew, as well. Life-altering changes were happening for Jeannie and her family.

Jeannie journeyed again to Sheffield, this time for the Fearless course at The Option Institute to help her recognize and overcome her personal obstacles. Jeannie wanted to continue her amazing journey as she had found using the techniques she learned in The Son-Rise Program and in Fearless had absolutely changed the lives of everyone in her family.

But, because the Reids’ finances had been seriously stretched by then, their next steps were put on hold. Then an amazing event changed everything. Jeannie’s college roommate and lifelong friend decided to start a Son-Rise Program scholarship fund for people from the Cleveland area. Since then Jeannie has been able to move ahead with her courses, taking Radical Authenticity, Son-Rise Maximum Impact and Son-Rise Wide Awake ... and eventually she became a Certified Group Facilitator.

Jeannie Reid’s story is about wanting BIG and making it happen. She is about to embark on her renewed private practice as an art therapist, and plans to be a super advocate for The Son-Rise Program in her area. Her wonderful new life is a product of her persistence and belief, and of the wheels she helped set in motion for others when her friends learned of how she and her family had been impacted by The Son-Rise Program.

“I know I will be able to give back by helping others, and that will be the top of my personal mountain! Thank you to everyone who donates! You are making a big difference in the world!

Jeannie Reid

 

Dear Donor

Two years ago, Antonio's kindergarten teacher told us something was not quite right with our little boy. He was not socializing, he somersaulted all the time and hardly spoke at all. At the time I was working for a municipality close to Florence, Italy and basically I had nothing left after seeing to basic necessities.

In the meantime, I looked up Autism with Google and as I was also looking for happiness and personal growth, I was guided to The Option Institute, thence the Autism Treatment Center of America. I read up as much as I could and started trying to apply the “Happiness is a Choice” suggestions. I'm not quite good at it but it has helped me with attitude, and everything else that seemed trying is really different after all this.

When I decided to come for The Son-Rise Program Start-Up, I really had little or no money to pay for it. I spoke to my friends, old and new. My mother helped me, friends I thought couldn't [help] tried their very best and the scholarship did the rest.

What the scholarship did was give a HUGE boost to my fundraising. About six friends contributed the rest, at the travel agency a very kind lady who I may now call a friend helped me some more. I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. Here I am, happy to have attended the Start-Up program and looking forward to learning more and praying to God for guidance.

So the gist of the matter is, I am a happy mum who hopes to implement a wonderful relationship with her child and is riding a not so easy moment with lots of hope in her heart and THANK YOU is not enough for what I feel. I still remember William's words, “If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always got.” Now I'm trying to do different, bit by bit, day by day. I feel the difference already.

About Antonio ... we are going on with the Italian program and I play with Antonio after school in a quiet room in the house. Knowing what the little guy is exposed to (he's always putting his fingers in his ears and he seems to have problems with too much light in his eyes), I find him very brave as he bears it tolerably. Drums a lot to digest it all.

When we went to the doctor, just weeks after starting the program at home, she told me that she found him more attentive. His attention span has increased. He is also tagging or pulling at one's arm when looking for attention. The child psychologist last Saturday reported the same thing and what's more, my son has always required that I enter the room, hence assisting in every session. Well, this time he went in along with the doctor and told me, “See you later.”

At school, his teacher who speaks English as well, read up and watched my DVD (Kyle’s Journey, Jade and “I want my little boy back”). Now she's changing, bit by bit and I do appreciate that very much. He seems to be OK with her and actually sent me away from class this morning, again telling me, “See you later.”

He is now ONE HUGE GREENLIGHT and I'm hoping to be able to really have volunteers (still looking), raise funds and settle down to business.

God bless,

Jackline

 

Dear Donor,

I am the mother of three children, all on the Autism Spectrum. Before I heard of the Son-Rise Program and the Option Institute, I was a desperate, angry and depressed person…. I was on Anti-depressants, sleeping multiple hours of the day, and for a period of time, using alcohol to run away from my pain.

Then I heard of the Son-Rise Program. I called to find out more about it and thought “this if for me!” But I could not afford it. You see raising one child with Autism is very expensive but raising three is just outrageously expensive with all the therapies and dietary interventions that we were doing.

But I was offered a full scholarship to the SRSU program. I have since attended all of the Son-Rise Programs and many of the Personal Growth programs offered by the Option Institute.  Each time I have been given a scholarship and each time I go I learn more about who I am and I change for the better each and every time.  Because of your most generous support, my children are recovering from Autism, I have found happiness in my life!  I am no longer on anti-depressants and I have so much more energy.

YOU are the reason that my family is in recovery. It is because of YOU that my oldest son now is enjoying school.  YOU are the reason my second son is speaking. YOU are the reason my daughter is no longer as rigid and controlling as she once was.  Thank you does not even begin to cover how much gratitude I have for you.  I thank God every day for you and I do not even know you.

Please know that you are changing lives with your donation to ATCA and the OI.  It is because of you that every day people are getting the help that they need. Thank you, thank you and thank you!

With so much love,

Kerry Rihtar