Barry (“Bears”) Neil Kaufman
& Samahria Lyte Kaufman

Exploring, teaching … happiness and wellbeing for more than 40 years…

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Testimonials

  • "Barry Neil Kaufman’s work is the science of love, compassion, and insight which will transform the world."

    Deepak Chopra
    Author, Quantum Healing

  • “If there were a Nobel Prize for love, I’d want the Kaufmans to be the first to receive one.”

    Dr. Wayne Dyer Author, Excuses Begone

  • "The search for peace in the world must start within the human heart and within our own families. Barry Neil Kaufman understands that. By personal example and through his writing and counseling, he gives a compelling vision for the building of inner and outer peace."

    President Jimmy Carter

    Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

  • "I have been a psychiatrist for thirty years. Never before has any process taught me so much about how to be with others. The Kaufman’s work in The Option Process® is clear, precise and packs a punch. At the center of this process are the principles of being present, being loving, accepting others and being nondirective. To have been given these tools and principles is a great gift indeed. I am grateful."

    Ted McCarthy
    M.D. Chief of Psychiatry

  • "The Option Institute programs are life changers. The Option Institute provides a warm safe place to dive in, explore and learn to understand who you are, why you do what you do, how to make changes happen in your life, how to love. Everyone can befit from the universal and timeless messages taught here."

    Noreen C.
    Nutritionist, Ireland

  • "Barry Neil Kaufman champions making the choice to believe in ourselves, to be hopeful and seize the power of loving ourselves and others."

    Lou Holtz

    Head Football Coach, University of Notre Dame

  • "Bears is a great student of human beings. He is like an artist and scientist interweaving stimulus and response into a beautiful dance of uncovering beliefs. My interactions with Bears were especially helpful for the goal I came with – to love more in my relationships. I feel very satisfied, challenged, and inspired!"

    Brian McSweeney
    Teacher, Californian goes here

  • "Barry Neil Kaufman’s work affirms the unlimited potential of the human spirit and offers hope to those who have been challenged by adversity."

    Coretta Scott King

    Founder, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change

  • "I have long admired the work of Barry Neil Kaufman. He reveals the options and choices we can all make to find the road to happiness. Simple and effective for all."

    Bernie Siegel

    M.D., Author, Love, Medicine, and Miracles

  • "Samahria is my second mother, with the wisdom of 10 women. She is fun, spunky, funky, and yet extremely professional and always seems to hit the nail on the head—Always!"

    Mina Okoloko

    Lawyer, Nigeria

  • "Dear Bears- Thank you for taking me into your heart. My experience of your teaching is always, always, of profound love in action. I trust the decisions you make, who you go to help, who you don’t, what you highlight, how you shape the class dynamics – it’s all completely wonderful – utterly perfect for me. I deeply and abidingly love you. Thank you, thank you, a thousand times, thank you."

    Alex Woolgar
    Neuroscientist, UK

  • "Mr. Kaufman’s moving and eloquent account of his son’s recovery vividly illustrates the power of parental love expressed through imagination, understanding and perseverance . . . a remarkable adventure story. "

    NBC-TV