If you live in Boca Raton and are looking for addiction or mental health treatment, Recreate Life Counseling is about 15 miles north of you in Boynton Beach. The drive is roughly 20 to 25 minutes on I-95. We run partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs, and both are built for people who need real structure without moving into a facility.
Most Boca families who call us have the same first two questions: how do we get started, and what will insurance cover? This page answers both, then covers the questions people usually ask next.
Getting started: what admissions looks like
You do not need a referral to call, and you can call on behalf of a spouse, parent or adult child. The first conversation is with an admissions representative, not a sales pitch. It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.
- Pre-admission call. We ask what is happening, which substances are involved, how long, and whether there is any withdrawal risk or safety concern right now.
- Insurance verification. With the information from your insurance card, we confirm your behavioral health benefits and send you a written estimate.
- Pre-assessment. A clinician reviews your substance history, mental health, medical needs and home situation to recommend a level of care.
- Start date. If PHP or IOP is the right fit, we schedule your first day and talk through transportation arrangements. If you need detox first, we arrange the referral and hold your place.
What to bring on day one is short: a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications, and the name of any doctor or therapist you already see.
Insurance and the cost of treatment
Commercial health plans generally cover PHP and IOP for substance use and mental health when the care is medically necessary. Your share depends on your deductible, copays or coinsurance, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether we are in your plan’s network. We check all of that for free before you commit.
Each of these guides explains how a specific plan handles treatment: Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, NYSHIP and The Empire Plan and TRICARE. Boca has many seasonal and transplanted residents, so out-of-state plans are common. Most still cover treatment in Florida, and we confirm how yours works. If part of your care is not covered, admissions can walk you through self-pay options and payment plans.
A note on privacy. Many people in Boca hold professional licenses or senior roles and worry about who will find out. Your employer does not see your claims. Treatment records are protected by HIPAA and, for substance use care, by the stricter federal rule 42 CFR Part 2.
What PHP and IOP involve
| Partial hospitalization | Intensive outpatient | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Most of the day, five days a week | A few hours a day, several days a week |
| Best for | People stepping down from detox or residential care, or who need daily structure | People who are stable and need to keep working or studying |
| Where you sleep | Home or recovery housing | Home |
| Typical next step | IOP | Aftercare and alumni support |
Both programs combine individual counseling, group therapy and family sessions with evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. People with depression, anxiety or trauma alongside substance use receive dual diagnosis treatment, which addresses both together.
When outpatient is not the right first step
Some people need a higher level of care before PHP. That includes anyone at risk of serious withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids, anyone having thoughts of harming themselves, and anyone in active mania or psychosis. In those situations we point you to medical detox, a hospital or a residential program first, and you can step down to us when you are stable. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently asked questions from Boca Raton families
Is there a program like yours in Boca itself? Yes, Boca has several treatment providers. Some families prefer one that is a short drive away rather than in their own neighborhood. What matters most is accreditation, licensed clinicians and the right level of care, so compare those first.
How long does treatment last? There is no fixed program length. It depends on progress and on what your insurance approves as medically necessary. PHP is usually measured in weeks, and IOP often runs longer at a lower intensity.
Do I have to stop working? In IOP, most people keep working. PHP takes up most of the day, so people often use medical leave for that phase. Admissions can help with the paperwork your employer needs.
Do you treat mental health conditions on their own? Yes. PHP and IOP are available for depression, anxiety, trauma and related conditions, with or without a substance use problem.
Is medication part of treatment? When it helps. For opioid and alcohol use disorders, medication-assisted treatment is coordinated with prescribing providers alongside therapy.
What is the success rate? Be wary of any program that quotes one number. Outcomes depend on the person, the substance, the length of treatment and the support afterward. What reliably improves the odds is completing treatment and staying connected to aftercare and a relapse prevention plan.
Can I see the facility first? Yes. Take the virtual tour or ask admissions about visiting in person.
My adult child is using. Can I start the process? Yes. Parents often make the first call. We can explain options, help you plan the conversation, and talk about what to do if they say no. Adults have to agree to their own treatment, but your call often makes that agreement easier.
How quickly can someone start? Often within a few days of the first call, once benefits are verified and the assessment is done.
Checking any program, including ours
Before you choose, confirm the program’s accreditation and state license. Recreate Life Counseling is accredited by The Joint Commission and licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families. You can also search licensed programs by location and insurance on FindTreatment.gov, the federal treatment locator. If you are closer to Delray, see our Delray Beach page, or read about our home base on the Boynton Beach page.
