We arrived at Tabula Rasa in the middle of the night in mid July 2018. The process actually started six weeks earlier – correspondence, medical tests, preliminary treatments (pre-sessions by skype), and more. Alvaro, the initiator of this brilliant place and the manager was available and accessible, as was the staff of the therapists and the administrative director – the staff acted in a professional, personal way and full of Integrity. These characteristics of professionalism, sensitivity, flexibility in real situations and commitment accompanied all our days in this place later on.
I accompanied my eldest brother to this therapy for the first time after 35 years of heroin addiction, which he expressed a sincere desire heal from. Alvaro made sure my brother arrived physically ready and conditioned the transition to opiates that were easily transfused from blood, and with a thorough examination of the heart, considering his age and physical condition. The reception was warm. The doctor met us at the airport and drove with us to the centre. The treatment began on the second day, the treating staff, the doctor, Alvaro, and the two alternative therapists – Andy and Danny – made sure that the process was deep emotionally and spiritually, and medically safe. The excellent team conducted by Alvaro did their best that my brother will best begin the transformation and the path to future healing. We could not ask for more. The last day farewell was difficult – the week was full of moments of friendship, responsibility, sincerity, and courage.

Alvaro and the Tabula Rasa family are one of those rare cases where one place and at a certain point in time meets rare forces of wisdom and kindness. It is hard to say thank you in words for something so total and generous that we are given in deeds. These days, we are in contact with Alvaro – the descent into detail, the concern for my brother on the days of the treatment that went beyond what was expected. The reason I accompanied my brother in advance was that he did not speak Portuguese or English – I accompanied him as an interpreter. But after a week there, communication was created beyond the language, and technically, my brother and Alvaro communicate almost daily in recorded and translated messages. It was perhaps the longest week of my life-hardly any sleep. Neither for me nor for the devoted staff… My brother claims that the spirit of God dwells in this special place. And I reinforce and add that hard work and the thoughtful work of those who take part in the place empowers the spirit of God, which is commanded not by chance. We are extremely lucky and grateful.

S.M from Jerusalem, Israel