• Choices Helpline
  • Choices at AZC
  • Choices Sexual Health
  • Choices Need Help?
  • Choices Over New
  • Choices Sign in
  • Choices Support us
  • English
    • Nederlands
    • العربية‏
    • Русский
    • Türkçe
    • Español
  • Choices
  • Need help?
  • Treatments
  • APPLY
  • AZC
  • Support us
  • Helpline
  • Contact
  • English
    • Nederlands
    • العربية‏
    • Русский
    • Türkçe
    • Español
  • Choices
  • Need help?
  • Treatments
  • APPLY
  • AZC
  • Support us
  • Helpline
  • Contact
  • English
    • Nederlands
    • العربية‏
    • Русский
    • Türkçe
    • Español
We are Choices Support Center
Together we identify healthier ways to deal with

stress

loneliness

trauma

drug use

sex

STDs

HIV

stigma

shame

fear

Choices Support Center

"We ensure that our participants feel comfortable, respected, supported and informed in addressing issues that affect their health and well-being."

Jason Farrell, Director of Choices Support Center

WHAT WE DO, WHO WE ARE

Our approach

Our approach is approachable and sometimes slightly different from what you are used to, but always tailored to your needs. Because what works for one person may not help another at all. That's why we always look at your specific circumstances, wishes and possibilities.

We know that psychological stress can influence the choices we make. How we handle our daily situations and choices we make can have long-term effects on our health. For example, the use of drugs and alcohol goes hand in hand with STI, hepatitis and HIV infections. That's why our counseling is focused on changing sexual risk behaviors, and for drug use, we can offer an alternative to traditional treatments that don't focus solely on abstinence. If you (happen to) be an asylum seeker, we understand the stress and anxiety of living in AZC centers and what many people can do to overcome fears and the anxiety of waiting.

Choices provides professional care to support healthier life choices and integrate a new lifestyle. We do this through a combination of psychological support, behavioral interventions, community building and establishing new social networks - people who support you and your decisions.

Need any help?
Treatments

The Choices Team

Our team consists of enthusiastic professionals with experts in the field of addiction and sexual health: qualified psychologists specializing in addiction and cognitive behavioral therapy, social workers, volunteers and peers.

Choices works closely with a network of local and national organizations to ensure our clients are connected to the most appropriate treatments and support services.

Board of Directors:
Chairman: Drs. F-J van Kemenade, Coordinator of Applications at Castle Craig Addiction Care - Treasurer: Mr. J.J. Sikkema*. Advisor European Grants, Municipality of Amsterdam - Secretary: Hayley Murray MSc, Project Manager and Ethnographer, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) 

Advisory Team
Mr. Prof. Dr. K. Brinkman*, Specialist for Infectious Diseases, OLVG - Mr. H. Wijnands, Director, De Regenboog Groep - Mr. B. Lamertink, Hazelden Graduate - Mr. Prof. Dr. Joop Arends, Founder HAPPI App - Mr. Prof. R. Wiers *, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology Research, UVA

*commit personally to Choices but are not affiliated through their organisation

Choices Support Center

Choices Support Center receives donations and grants from:

AbbVie Pharmaceuticals - Haëlla Foundation - Het Blauwe Fonds - Fundatie Van den Santheuvel, Sobbe - Gilead Sciences - Oranje Fonds - Orasure Technologies - Pride Amsterdam - Private Donors - Stichting Steunfonds bja-cow - University of Amsterdam - VSB Fonds

Jason Farrell, Director


Hi, I'm Jason Farrell, director and founder of Choices. For thirty years, I have been fighting for access to health care, human rights and prevention services for drug users and people living with HIV, regardless of sexual orientation or gender. I also founded the Positive Health Project (PHP), the first low-threshold, multi-service, HIV prevention and medical program for drug users in the United States, based on the successful Dutch model of Harm Reduction. There I pioneered the design and implementation of integrated One-Stop-Shop care. In 2009 I moved to the Netherlands and worked with Correlation European Harm Reduction Network. Over the years I have worked as an invited expert member of advisory groups at the ECDC and EMCDDA, and the European Test Week Workgroup.

Ivanesa Borisova, psychologist

I am Ivanesa Borisova, psychologist at Choices Support Center. With my background in clinical psychology and specialized training in crisis prevention, gender studies and LGBTQI+ related topics, I am equipped to provide compassionate and effective care to people from all walks of life. I joined Choices because I believe in the importance of making mental health care more accessible, especially to people in less fortunate circumstances. My commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all is at the core of my practice. Here at Choices, I aim to provide supportive counseling to clients with a wide range of emotional and psychological issues. I enjoy working with you to help you achieve your goals, make healthier life choices and promote positive change to create a more fulfilling way of life.

Herman Bosveld, care coordinator

My name is Herman and I live in Utrecht, together with my husband Ad. We have been married since 2001. I love volunteering, always for the benefit of the LGBTI+ community. For example, I worked at COC Cocktail and Switchboard, the GGD and now as care coordinator at Choices Support Center.

As care coordinator, I take care of everything from the client's registration to the intake with the psychologist. I am the client's contact person, providing information, answering questions and giving advice. If necessary, I make referrals to organizations for care that Choices does not offer. 

 

Agatha Ada Levi, Community Services Coordinator

I am Agatha Ada Levi, Community Services Coordinator at Choices Support Center. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, I currently live in the Netherlands with my family. I am an expert in development communication with a master's degree in Development Management, specializing in social inclusion, gender and youth empowerment.
 
Over the years, I have dedicated my career to improving the well-being of people at risk, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, sex workers and victims of human trafficking. I currently focus on providing compassionate support to asylum seekers nationwide.
 
I chose to work at Choices because I believe that with empathy, cultural sensitivity and a deep understanding of the complex realities faced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, we can together provide support in dealing with daily challenges and integrating into their new country. At Choices, I found an organization that not only talks about inclusion, but actively creates safe spaces and practical pathways to recovery and stability.
 
As Community Services Coordinator, my vision is to build stronger bridges between our clients and the support systems available during the asylum process, and to help them safely integrate into Dutch society and the queer community. My goal is to ensure that each client is heard, supported and empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Negar Rajabi, volunteer coordinator

I am Negar Rajabi, volunteer coordinator at Choices Support Center. My passion lies in creating supportive, inclusive spaces where people can connect, grow and make meaningful contributions. My studies in arts and society have shaped the way I approach my work, showing me the power of creativity and collaboration to bring people together. As someone who fled the criminal laws of Iran and experienced life as a refugee in the AZC, I understand the challenges faced by marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. Living in an environment where I could not be myself gave me insight into the fear, isolation and resilience that many face.

At Choices, I will coordinate and support our team of volunteers, making them feel valued and empowered to make a positive impact. My role allows me to combine my organizational skills with my deep commitment to meaningful connection and social change. By putting empathy, communication and mutual respect first, I strive to help our volunteers thrive and strengthen the collective work we do at Choices.

Kathryn Curtis, communications specialist

Hi, my name is Kathryn. I was born in England and raised in Australia. I have a Bacheor of Arts (International Studies, Anthropology) and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Health Promotion) from La Trobe University in Melbourne. I have experience in marketing as a communications officer for an intersectional feminist organization providing support to women and Gender and Sex Diversity individuals in the sex industry. I also have experience as a health educator with a community health organization supporting the LGBTQI+ community and persons living with HIV. I enjoy working to improve all aspects of human health, especially for my LGBTQI+ community, and preferably in creative ways. I currently volunteer at Choices Support Center, promoting events and activities through the Choices 4 Better Living app.

Alinda Wu, administrative assistant

My name is Alinda, administrative assistant at Choices Support Center. I recently completed my master's degree in Econometrics in Rotterdam. 

With a strong motivation to use my knowledge and skills to make a positive social impact, I volunteer to support Choices. The work being done here is hugely important and valuable. That's why I love helping the organization gain insights into their data and reporting. I hope to use my behind-the-scenes contribution to take the organization a step further in their administrative work.

Choices volunteers

Choices also has a team of dedicated volunteers.
Information about all of our volunteers can be found here.
Testimonials

We are happy to share the best choices

Because we like to help people who want to change their drug and alcohol use. Of any gender identity and sexual orientation. Helping you to make the best choices on your way to a healthy lifestyle.

        haella                              

  • Been there, Done that, Should have known

    Marc Verburg - Author
    Jason told inspiring stories about his vision and own experiences, as Americans often do, but also repeatedly asked me the critical question why I wrote my book VERNEUKT! I think we can help more people faster if the subject of chems and sex becomes a more accessible topic of conversation and the persistent secrecy and stigmas are broken. The most important starting point of the personal counselling and discussion groups at Choices is to surround yourself (again) with a network of people who support you in taking healthier decisions. It is precisely this social aspect that is healing for many users and former users, but at the same time the emptiness, fear and insecurity that you feel when you leave the world that you used to trust, but which is rotten, is so paralysing that you sink even further into your isolation or.... relapse. Been there, done that.
  • Participant lunchtime session

    Bart
    I would like to thank Choices for everything they have done for me. I found my first evening in particular very special. Before I came to you I spoke to Hans on the telephone. Due to coronagraphs I was unable to come to the location, but Hans made it possible with great effort that I could. I really appreciate that, because due to my private circumstances I really needed personal contact. When I arrived, Hans was waiting for me at the front door. He introduced himself and introduced me to Thomas. There were a few other people present online. In the session, open stories were told and people listened to each other. Many good questions were asked, which made me look at the situation in a different way. The hour flew by and it helped me a lot in a difficult time.

Choices Support Center

Choose a better lifestyle!

Contact

info@choicescenter.nl
Weesperplein 4 b
1018 XA Amsterdam
Chamber of Commerce 69641005
Route

Choices

Home
About Choices
Need any help?
Treatments
Sign up
Support us

Helpline

Contact
Choices Privacy Policy
Establishment of Choices Support Centre
Financial Statements 2023
Policy Plan

Follow Choices

Follow Choices Support Center on various social media channels.
Facebook-f Instagram Twitter

 

© Choices Support Center All rights reserved.
  • Choices Helpline
  • Choices at AZC
  • Choices Sexual Health
  • Choices Need Help?
  • Choices Over New
  • Choices Sign in
  • Choices Support us
  • English
    • Nederlands
    • العربية‏
    • Русский
    • Türkçe
    • Español