"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
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.
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 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.
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.
Michael Nedd, community care coordinator
My name is Michael. I have a Caribbean background; more specifically, I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. I earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of the West Indies because I have always been interested in how and why people communicate and what motivates people.
I work at Choices because it is my passion to support marginalized communities and it allows me to contribute to meaningful change by helping vulnerable individuals navigate the asylum process and integrate safely into Dutch society.
As community care coordinator, I will be part of a team providing peer counseling to LGBTQ+ individuals in AZCs across the country, addressing their emotional and practical challenges in groups and individually, as well as in online sessions and at the Choices office.
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 done here is enormously important and valuable. Therefore, I am happy to help the organization gain insights into their data and reports. 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.
We are happy to share the best choices
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Been there, Done that, Should have known
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
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.
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