Lake Worth Beach (the city voters renamed from Lake Worth in 2019) is about 8 miles north of Recreate Life Counseling. From most of the city it is a 15 minute drive down I-95 or Dixie Highway to our program in Boynton Beach, and Tri-Rail connects the Lake Worth Beach and Boynton Beach stations if you are not driving. Our two levels of care, PHP and IOP, are outpatient programs for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Being that close means you can get structured, daily treatment and still sleep in your own bed. Below is a step-by-step look at intake, who you will work with, and how insurance fits in.
Admission and intake, step by step
People often put off calling because they do not know what happens next. Here is the whole process.
| Step | What happens | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. First call | A short, confidential conversation about what is going on and whether anything is urgent | Admissions coordinator |
| 2. Benefits check | We contact your insurer and send a written estimate of your costs | Insurance verification team |
| 3. Pre-admission assessment | Substance abuse history, mental health history, medical history, medications, and your home and work situation | Licensed clinician |
| 4. Level-of-care decision | PHP, IOP, or a referral to detox or a hospital first if that is safer | Clinical team |
| 5. Arrival at the facility | Orientation, paperwork, meeting your primary therapist, and your first groups | Treatment team |
| 6. Treatment plan | Goals you set with your therapist, reviewed and adjusted as you go | You and your therapist |
Family involvement can start at intake if you want it. A partner or parent can join the first call, and family sessions are part of the plan from the beginning.
Who is on your treatment team
Credentials matter in addiction treatment, because not everyone who works in the field is licensed to provide therapy or prescribe medication. These are the roles you can expect to work with and what each one does.
- Licensed therapists, such as licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), lead individual and group therapy. Registered interns work under licensed supervision.
- A psychiatric provider evaluates mental health conditions and manages psychiatric medication.
- A case manager coordinates the practical side: insurance reviews, work and school paperwork, and lining up aftercare.
- Addiction specialists and recovery staff support daily programming and help you build skills for life outside treatment.
It is fair to ask any program who will be leading your sessions and what license they hold. A clear answer is a good sign. Meet the people behind the program on our team page.
Programs and therapies
PHP is the most intensive level we offer, with treatment most of the day, five days a week. It suits people coming out of detox or residential care and people whose use has gotten ahead of weekly therapy. IOP runs a few hours a day and fits around a job.
Inside both, the therapy is evidence-based treatment with research behind it: cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, group therapy, individual counseling and family sessions. Mindfulness and wellness therapies are a complement to that core, not a replacement.
Addictions and co-occurring conditions we treat
We treat alcohol use disorder, opioid addiction including fentanyl, prescription drug misuse, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepines (after detox). Many clients also have anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD or bipolar disorder. Our dual diagnosis program treats both at once. For alcohol and opioid use disorders, medication-assisted treatment is coordinated with prescribing providers.
Signs that it is time to get help include cravings that run your day, needing more to feel the same effect, withdrawal symptoms when you stop, and use that keeps causing problems at home or work. If you are physically dependent on alcohol or benzodiazepines, talk to a doctor before stopping, because withdrawal can be dangerous.
Insurance we work with
Most commercial plans cover PHP and IOP when medically necessary. Each plan has its own rules on networks, prior authorization and cost sharing, so we confirm the details with your insurer before you start. Plan guides:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield, including Anthem
- Carelon Behavioral Health (formerly Beacon)
- Cigna
- TRICARE for military families
Not sure what you have? A free insurance check tells you before you commit. Self-pay options are available too.
If cost or coverage is a barrier
Florida routes state and federal treatment dollars through regional managing entities. For Palm Beach County that is the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, which contracts with local providers to serve people without insurance. Dialing 211 connects you with 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, which can point you to local community organizations and support groups. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
After your program ends
Before you finish, we set up follow-up appointments, a relapse prevention plan and a support system you can actually use, from meetings near home to our alumni program. Lake Worth Beach and nearby Palm Springs and Greenacres have meetings daily, so keeping a routine close to home is realistic.
Frequently asked questions
Is this my first time in treatment, and does that matter? It does not change whether we can help. First-time clients often start in IOP or PHP, depending on the assessment.
What should I bring to my first day? A photo ID, your insurance card, a list of medications and doses, and contact details for any doctor or therapist you see. Comfortable clothes and something to write with help too.
Will my information be shared? Not without your written consent. Substance use treatment records have extra federal protection under 42 CFR Part 2, beyond standard HIPAA rules.
Do you provide detox or inpatient rehab? No. We refer to medical detox and residential programs when they are needed and admit you afterward.
How long is the drive from Lake Worth Beach? About 15 minutes for most of the city, a little longer at rush hour.
Nearby? See our Palm Springs and West Palm Beach pages.
