Boca Recovery Center

Who is this facility a good fit for?

• Best fit if: Seeking a trauma-informed residential program with primary mental health and co-occurring capabilities; needing to balance treatment with professional or academic obligations; looking for individualized care with long-term alumni connection; using private insurance.
• Not a fit if: Requiring acute hospital-level medical treatment; seeking a self-directed approach without clinical structure; not interested in daily therapy; needing Medicaid or state-funded coverage.

What to expect

Beyond general standards, Boca Recovery Center places unique emphasis on:

Treatment planning and reassessment

• Initial assessment: Staff gather information regarding clients’ physical health, legal standing, housing, and mental health needs.
• Individualized care: Treatment is tailored to specific family circumstances, underlying issues, and real-world responsibilities. The facility’s core team meets every morning to discuss clients allowing for adjustment of the treatment plan.
• Balancing real life: Boca works with clients on external obligations. If a client needs 30 minutes to check work emails or attend an online class, they coordinate with case managers to make that happen.

"We're really looking at the individual who's coming in... how we can specifically address those issues in a way that is more than a carbon copy of each person getting treatment." — Dr. Alison Tarlow, Psy.D, Chief Clinical Officer

Who you will meet with

• Primary therapist: Daily meetings with therapists, including your primary therapist, who coordinates clinical care and maintains contact with family members. Clients participate in intensive therapy sessions twice per week, as well as weekly family therapy.
• Case manager: Clients meet one-on-one with case managers who handle non-clinical needs such as FMLA paperwork, finances, and housing.
• Alumni coordinator: These staff members keep in contact with clients to keep them connected to long-term recovery resources. Alumni have access to sober social events, weekly Zoom groups, and private social media groups.

Typical schedule

• First 72 hours: During the detox phase, clients primarily focus on resting, managing withdrawal symptoms, and meeting with the medical team.
• Intensive programming: Clients participate in clinical recovery work from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. This includes daily individual therapy, frequent groups, and biweekly intensive sessions.
• Evenings: Members of local 12-step groups (AA/NA) visit the center to provide support, facilitate on-site meetings, and share their experiences.
• Holistic care and downtime: Activities include expressive music therapy, nutritional counseling, and fitness. Clients also have access to a game room, movie theater, and barbershop, along with chef-prepared meals.

“You're in their daily life with them, and that really allows for the level of intimacy for that connection, for people to feel safe, to be able to do the work that they need to do." — Dr. Alison Tarlow, Psy.D, Chief Clinical Officer

Aftercare

• Transition planning: The care team actively helps clients find the next suitable facility or local support to continue care once they leave.
• Ongoing support: The facility hosts weekly alumni groups via Zoom and manages private social media pages where former clients can talk about successes and support one another.
• Alumni community: Former clients who have achieved years of recovery frequently return to speak at alumni groups and share their post-treatment successes.

Verified Interview with Director

Interview conducted with Boca Recovery Center Chief Clinical Officer on February 17, 2026 by Start Your Recovery Director of Content, Molly McSweyn.

We interviewed Dr. Alison Tarlow, Psy.D, Chief Clinical Officer at Boca Recovery, to better understand how care is structured and who the program is a best fit for. During the conversation, Dr. Tarlow was direct, helpful, and easy to speak with. She detailed the compassionate, personalized nature of the program, emphasizing that care is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

“We get to really work with people on the things that may be driving their substance use disorder, because maybe they don't know how to communicate well, or they just don't know how to trust or build relationships. They get to do all of that while they're here, and it's in an environment where people know your name, they care.” — Dr. Alison Tarlow, Psy.D, Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Tarlow was clear about the program’s strong clinical oversight, focus on aftercare and next-steps planning, and the importance of interpersonal connections to long-lasting recovery.

Verified Admissions Experience

Anonymous admissions inquiry conducted via phone on February 20, 2026, to evaluate response time, transparency, and patient experience. We were able to reach an in-house representative - conversation was straightforward, with a helpful, neutral tone. The representative provided clear, moderately detailed answers and was transparent about costs and the level of client involvement in treatment. The interaction was informative but not especially warm or personalized.

Client Reviews

Many reviewers describe Boca Recovery Center as a safe, supportive place with attentive staff and strong community. Clients often highlight the quality of treatment, food, and environment. A few raise concerns about communication or policies.

• Staff & Care Experience (90% positive): Clients consistently praise the staff as compassionate, professional, and encouraging. Many say they felt welcomed from the moment they arrived. "The staff was so impactful in helping me achieve my sobriety."
• Treatment Quality & Outcomes (85% positive): Many people report lasting changes in their lives, with several crediting Boca for helping them regain sobriety and rebuild family relationships. Some note strong case management and aftercare planning. "This place has been a lifesaver and life changing experience."
• Facility & Environment (90% positive): Reviews highlight a clean, well-maintained campus with comfortable living areas and plentiful amenities. "The food is amazing with two world class chefs."
• Support & Community: Several reviewers mention feeling a strong sense of belonging. Peer groups and alumni connections are often described as critical to recovery. "Lifelong friendships have been created and we stay in touch to this day."
• Access & Process: Some clients note smooth admissions, travel assistance, and helpful discharge planning. A few raise concerns about initial communication or program rules not meeting their expectations.

Facility Transparency

• Verified by Start Your Recovery: February 23, 2026.
• Clinician or Leadership Interview: Conducted February 17, 2026, with Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Alison Tarlow, Psy.D.
• Admissions Experience Evaluation: An anonymous inquiry was conducted on February 20, 2026.
• Digital Transparency Evaluation: A comprehensive review of the facility’s website and public documentation was completed on August 21, 2025, to ensure marketing claims align with actual service offerings.